Plant Care Japanese Bird's Nest Fern

Japanese Bird's Nest Fern

About Japanese Bird's Nest Fern

Japanese Bird's Nest Fern is a popular houseplant 🌿 that needs lots of water to thrive. They do best in moderate sunlight 🌤 and should be less than 6 feet from a window.

Japanese 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 antiquum
Asplenium
Aspleniaceae
Polypodiales

Also known as

Living Lace Hurricane Fern, Leslie Crested Japanese Bird's Nest Fern, Living Lace Hurricane and Living Lace victoria

How to care for Japanese Bird's Nest Fern

💦 Water

How often to water your Japanese Bird's Nest Fern

Water needs for Japanese Bird's Nest Fern
0.5 cups
every 7

Japanese 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.

Calculate water needs of Japanese Bird's Nest Fern

Water 0.5 cups every
7

Does your plant get direct sunlight?

Select the pot size

5"
☀️ Light

Finding light for Japanese Bird's Nest Fern in your home

Light needs and placement for plant Japanese Bird's Nest Fern: 6ft from a window
6ft or less from
a window

Japanese Bird's Nest Fern can tolerate being far from a window and light source.

Place it less than 6 feet from a south-facing window to ensure it receives enough light to survive 💪.

Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement of Japanese Bird's Nest Fern in your home 🏡.

🪴 Nutrients

How to fertilize Japanese Bird's Nest Fern

Nutrient, fertilizer, and repotting needs for Japanese Bird's Nest Fern: repot after 2X growth

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 Japanese Bird's Nest Fern after it doubles in size or once a year—whichever comes first.

💡 FAQs
💦 Water Needs

Japanese Bird's Nest Fern is sensitive to dry soil and should be watered frequently. Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.

Japanese Bird's Nest Fern Water Frequency →

Japanese Bird's Nest Fern Root Rot →


☀️ Sunlight Needs

Japanese Bird's Nest Fern can tolerate being far from a window and light source. Place it less than 6 feet from a south-facing window to ensure it receives enough light to survive 💪. Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement in your home 🏡.

Japanese Bird's Nest Fern Light Requirements →

Japanese Bird's Nest Fern Direct Sunlight Needs & Tolerance →


🐶 🐈 👶 Toxicity

Japanese Bird's Nest Fern is not known to cause harm to humans or pets. Regardless, if you, a family member, a cat, or dog has ingested any plant material, please consult a doctor or a veterinarian.


💨 Humidity

Japanese Bird's Nest Fern enjoys lots of humidity. Provide humidity for your plant by watering regularly and thoroughly, since plants absorb most water through their root system rather than their leaves. They may also benefit from being placed next to a humidifier.

Japanese Bird's Nest Fern Humidity Needs →


🪴 Soil

Japanese Bird's Nest Fern is very sensitive to dry soil, so choose a potting soil that retains moisture. A good soil will still drain well and contain lots of organic matter such as coco coir or sphagnum moss.

Best Soil Mix for Japanese Bird's Nest Fern →

When and How to Successfully Repot Japanese Bird's Nest Fern →


💩 Fertilizer

Japanese Bird's Nest Fern grows very slowly and doesn’t require added fertilizer. Replacing your plant’s potting soil once a year should provide them with more than enough nutrition. Remember, plants get their energy from sunlight, not fertilizer!

How Much and When to Fertilize Japanese Bird's Nest Fern →


🌎 Native Region

Japanese Bird's Nest Fern is native to Worldwide.


🌦️ Growing Outdoors

USDA Hardiness Zone
Japanese Bird's Nest Fern can be grown outdoors in USDA Hardiness Zones 9a-11b. Find your local hardiness zone here.

Japanese Bird's Nest Fern Temperature Tolerance →


🍂 Yellow Leaves

Yellow leaves aren’t always a reason to panic, and can be a normal part of a plant’s life cycle. Unless brand new leaves are turning yellow or all the leaves change color at once, it’s likely just your plant retiring old leaves.

If it seems like there’s a problem, the most likely cause of yellow leaves in Japanese Bird's Nest Fern is underwatering. The leaves may also appear to be curling or drooping. Yellow leaves can less often be caused by overwatering, nutrient deficiencies, or pests.

Give your plant a good drink and it should perk back up and download Greg to make sure your plant never goes thirsty again!


🧐 Troubleshooting

When troubleshooting a sad-looking houseplant, start by checking for signs of distress in its leaves, such as yellowing, browning, or drooping, which can indicate overwatering or nutrient deficiencies.

Inspect the soil moisture; too dry or too wet soil can cause problems.

Ensure the plant is getting the right amount of light, as too much or too little can stress it.

Finally, consider environmental factors like temperature and humidity, and adjust care routines accordingly to revive your plant.


Care Summary for Japanese Bird's Nest Fern

Japanese Bird's Nest Fern

Japanese Bird's Nest Fern


Greg recommends:

Water

0.5 cups every 7 days

Placement

< 6ft 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.

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