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Plant Profiles / Bird's nest fern
Photos: Wikimedia Commons
Bird's nest fern
Asplenium nidus · Nest fern
A striking fern with wide, glossy, apple-green fronds that unfurl from a central rosette like a nest. Tidy, sculptural and happy in lower light.
Low to bright indirectLight
WeeklyWater
EasyCare level
Care at a glance
Light
Low to bright indirect
ShadeFull sun
Medium, indirect light is ideal. Direct sun yellows the fronds.
Water
Weekly
DryWet
Keep lightly moist. Water around the edge of the pot, not into the centre.
Humidity
High
LowHigh
Loves humidity; bathrooms are perfect.
Temperature
16–27°C (60–80°F)
CoolWarm
Keep above 10°C (50°F).
Growth
Slow to moderate, rosette
SlowFast
Grows 50–90 cm wide indoors.
Soil
Airy, free-draining
LeanRich
Orchid bark mixed with potting mix.
Fertiliser
Monthly, spring–summer
RarelyOften
Half-strength liquid fertiliser.
Pet safety
Non-toxic
SafeToxic
Non-toxic to cats and dogs.
About this plant
Bird's nest ferns grow wild on tree trunks in the rainforests of Asia, Australia and the Pacific. Unlike feathery ferns, their solid fronds are easier to keep looking good indoors. New fronds emerge from the centre, so never water directly into the nest.
Best spots
Bathrooms, kitchens, shaded verandas and lower-light living spaces.
Plant facts
| Botanical name | Asplenium nidus |
| Family | Aspleniaceae |
| Origin | Tropical Asia, Australia & Pacific |
| Plant type | Epiphytic fern |
| Mature size | 50–90 cm wide |
| Growth rate | Slow to moderate |
| Foliage | Wide, glossy, wavy fronds |
| Flowers | None (fern) |
| Toxicity | Non-toxic to pets |
| Propagation | Spores |
Seasonal care calendar
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Active growth
Fertilise
Water less
Active growthFertiliseWater less
Based on Southern Hemisphere seasons.
Troubleshooting
| Brown frond edges | Low humidity or dry soil. |
| Rotting centre | Water poured into the nest. Water the soil only. |
| Pale, yellowing fronds | Too much light. |
| Brown lines under fronds | Spores; normal. |
| Damaged new fronds | Don't touch unfurling fronds; they bruise easily. |
Common questions
Can I divide it?
No, it grows from a single crown.
Is it good for low light?
Yes, it handles lower light well.
Why are the leaf edges brown?
Usually dry air.
Is it pet safe?
Yes.
