Bird's Nest Fern
4.3 out of 5 (171 experiences)
Survivor
Large, lush leaves
About Bird's Nest Fern
Bird's Nest Fern is a super popular houseplant 🌿 that is isn’t challenging to grow and needs lots of water to thrive. They do best in abundant sunlight ☀ and should be less than 3 feet from a window.
Plant parents describe this plant as being a survivor and having large, lush leaves with a whopping 16651 being grown with Greg around the world. Check out the reviews below for more details!🌟
Bird's Nest Fern likes soil that is good at retaining moisture. Your plant shouldn't need added fertilizers if you repot each time it doubles in size.
Taxonomy
Asplenium nidus
Asplenium
Aspleniaceae
Polypodiales
Also known as
Nest Fern, Victoria Bird's Nest Fern, Asplenium antiquum and Crispy Wave Fern
How to care for Bird's Nest Fern
How often to water your Bird's Nest Fern
every 7
Bird's Nest Fern needs 0.5 cups of water every 7 when it doesn’t get direct sunlight and is potted in a 5" pot.
Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.
Water 0.5 cups every
7
Finding light for Bird's Nest Fern in your home
a window
Bird's Nest Fern may have difficulty thriving, and will drop leaves 🍃, without ample sunlight.
Place it less than 3 feet from a south-facing window to maximize the potential for growth.
Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement of Bird's Nest Fern in your home 🏡.
How to fertilize Bird's Nest Fern
Most potting soils come with ample nutrients which plants use to produce new growth.
By the time your plant has depleted the nutrients in its soil it’s likely grown enough to need a larger pot anyway.
To replenish this plant's nutrients, repot your Bird's Nest Fern after it doubles in size or once a year—whichever comes first.
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Hi, there are some brown tips and brown spots on the leaves, is this a sunlight problem?
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Do any of you do a light spritz to the leaves? #BirdsNestFern
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It’s sad. Leaves are not vibrant and droopy. #BirdsNestFern
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What do I do? If some of the leaves look like they’re starting to die do I cut them off? Pull them off or leave them #BirdsNestFern
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What are the spots on the leaves of my plants #BirdsNestFern
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Should i replant in bigger pot? #BirdsNestFern
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Mine got very dry leaves & not sure if it will come back soft #BirdsNestFern
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Why is my plant dying? I’ve had this plant for several months now. I have it in a room that gets medium amounts of light and it is not in direct sunlight. I have pebbles under the pot to help with humidity. What else can I do to try and save it? I really appreciate the help.
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My new fern has some brown tips. It doesnt look healthy but idk much about ferns yet! Help me! #BirdsNestFern
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It's been a few months now. I changed the soil, moved it to a place with more light and humidity Tho' tips are turning brown, and the edges are drying out too. I’ve tried spraying water on the leaves every day. Someone have any recommendations? #BirdsNestFern
Care Summary for Bird's Nest Fern
Bird's Nest Fern
Greg recommends:
Water
0.5 cups every 7 days
Placement
< 3ft from a window
Nutrients
Repot after 2x growth
Based on the 4” pot your plant is in, and that it doesn’t get direct sunlight.
What other plant parents say
Survivor 70
Large, lush leaves 68
Fast grower 54
Browns easily 41
Pest magnet 11
Easy to propagate 9
Blooms easily 1
11/06/2021
When I first got this it came with what I believe were spider mites. I did my usual: shower, spray with a mixture of dr bronners soap and water, then clean daily with a qtip and isopropyl alcohol. It was a real trooper. It’s pest free now and so fun to see the leaves unfurl more every day. Eye-catching and pretty low maintenance. I love it!
Fast grower
Large, lush leaves
Survivor
10/26/2021
I have in plastic pot in front of a southern facing window with verticals. Slow grower, but seems very easy to care for, only requiring water every so often. I use a moisture meter, which greatly helps and prevents over watering. Finally after having her for a couple of months, 2 new baby leaves are starting to pop out in the center
Large, lush leaves
10/05/2021
This plant has survived ANYTHING I’ve done to it!! Honestly such a great first house plant, I’ve had it for years and had basically no issues with it. They like humidity and and for their soil to be moist, but honestly they’re also pretty drought tolerant. I’ve let mine dry out completely for longer that I should have and it was completely fine! I definitely recommend this plant.
Fast grower
Large, lush leaves
Survivor