🐦 How to Plant Your Bird's Nest Fern
Asplenium nidus
By the Greg Editorial Team
Jul 25, 2024•3 min read
This article was created with the help of AI so we can cover more plants for you. May contain errors. See one? Report it here.
- 🌱 Start spores in spring/summer for best Bird's Nest Fern growth.
- 🤲 Division method: Best in spring, use clean tools, repot carefully.
- 💧🌤️ Post-transplant care: Water, mulch, and provide bright, indirect light.
Starting from Spores
Starting your Bird's Nest Fern from spores is an adventure in patience and precision. Here's how to embark on this rewarding journey.
Timing and conditions: Begin in spring or early summer to align with the fern's growth cycle. Choose a warm, shady location to mimic the fern's natural environment.
Preparing the spore nursery:
- Sterilize your soil by microwaving or pouring boiling water over it to eliminate unwanted organisms.
- Use a soil mix of peat moss, perlite, and orchid bark for the right balance of drainage and moisture retention.
- Select shallow containers with clear lids or use plastic bags to create a greenhouse effect.
Sowing spores:
- Collect spores from mature ferns, looking for brown, yellow, or orange dust around the sori.
- Spread the spores evenly over the surface of your prepared soil.
- Cover the containers to maintain high humidity, removing the cover occasionally for fresh air.
Caring for sporelings:
- Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged.
- Watch for a green fuzz, signaling germination, which can take four to six weeks.
- Once fernlings appear, continue to provide a stable environment with indirect light and regular misting.
Remember, growing Bird's Nest Ferns from spores is a slow process, but observing the tiny green life emerge is incredibly satisfying.
Division of Established Plants
Dividing your Bird's Nest Fern breathes new life into the plant and multiplies your green bounty. It's a straightforward process, best undertaken when the fern shows signs of outgrowing its pot, typically in the spring.
When to divide
- Divide in spring, aligning with the fern's growth spurt.
- Look for a pot-bound plant as an indicator it's time for division.
🌿 Step-by-step division
- Gently remove the fern from its pot, teasing apart the soil to expose the root ball.
- Use clean, sharp tools to separate the plant into sections, ensuring each has roots and fronds.
- Repot divisions in fresh soil, mimicking the depth they were previously grown at.
🌱 Post-division care
- Water the new plants well and place them in bright, indirect light.
- Avoid fertilizers until they're established and show new growth.
- Monitor moisture levels to keep soil consistently damp but not soggy.
Transplanting Bird's Nest Ferns
Spring or early summer is the sweet spot for transplanting your Bird's Nest Fern. This is when your plant is in its active growth phase, ready to adapt to new surroundings with resilience.
- Gently coax the fern from its current home, mindful of its delicate roots.
- Choose a spot that mimics its previous environment to avoid transplant shock.
Transplanting requires a gentle touch and a bit of finesse. Here's how to do it right:
- Loosen the fern's roots and clear away any dead material.
- Nestle the fern into its new pot, centering it for balance.
- Surround it with a mix of peat moss, perlite, and orchid bark for optimal growth.
After the move, your Bird's Nest Fern needs time to acclimate. Focus on these settling-in essentials:
- Water thoroughly to settle the soil around the roots.
- Mulch to retain moisture and provide a stable temperature.
- Keep the fern in indirect light, avoiding the harshness of direct sun.
Remember, patience is key. Give your fern a few days of shade to recover from the move before expecting it to return to its full, lush self.
⚠️ Safety First
This content is for general information and may contain errors, omissions, or outdated details. It is not medical, veterinary advice, or an endorsement of therapeutic claims.
Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using any plant as food, medicine, or supplement.
Never eat any plant (or feed one to pets) without confirming its identity with at least two trusted sources.
If you suspect poisoning, call Poison Control (800) 222-1222, the Pet Poison Helpline (800) 213-6680, or your local emergency service immediately.
Spotted an error? Please report it here.
Nurture your Bird's Nest Fern to flourish 🌿 with Greg's custom reminders for watering and light, ensuring your green buddy thrives from spore to full fronds.
