Buying guide

Buy a Bird's Nest Fern Online: Sizes, What to Check, and Where to Buy

By the Plantshop.com Editorial Team · Updated 21 Oct 2026 · How we research · Report an error

The bird's nest fern grows wavy, glossy, apple-green fronds from a central rosette. It is one of the easiest ferns, tolerating lower light and average humidity better than most.

Is a bird's nest fern right for you?

It suits you if you can give it low to medium indirect light and you are happy to water when the top 1 in of soil is dry; water at the soil, not into the center. Difficulty: Easy. Asplenium nidus is not on the ASPCA list (the related parsley fern, A. bulbiferum, is listed non-toxic); ask your vet if unsure. Not sure? Try the Plant Finder.

Similar plants to consider: Monstera, Pothos, Snake Plant, ZZ Plant.

Sizes and what you will receive

Online shops sell plants by nursery pot diameter: about 4 in (small, shelf), 6 in (desk or table), 8-10 in (small floor plant) and 12 in and up (floor statement). Height varies a lot within one pot size, so read the listed height too. A mature bird's nest fern can reach 1-3 ft and growth is slow, so a smaller plant will take time to fill out; buy closer to the size you want.

What to check when buying: a healthy bird's nest fern

• Firm, evenly colored leaves with no mushy stems at the soil line.
• Soil that is not sour-smelling or waterlogged when it arrives.
• No webbing, sticky residue or tiny moving insects under the leaves.
• Roots, if you peek, that are pale and firm rather than brown and soft.

Problems to know about before buying:

• Brown frond edges: Dry air or drying out.
• Mushy center: Water sitting in the crown.
• Pale fronds: Too much direct light.

Prices

We do not quote prices until we have checked them. They change with pot size, season and sales. To compare fairly, compare the same pot size and check whether a decorative pot and shipping are included.

Shipping and seasonal risks

Tropical plants like this one suffer below about 50°F (10°C). In winter, order from a shop that adds heat packs or holds shipments in freezing weather, and bring the box inside as soon as it arrives. Summer heat in a delivery truck can also damage plants, so avoid long weekends in transit.

Your first week after delivery

1. Unbox right away and photograph any damage; most guarantees need photos within a set window.
2. Water only if the soil is dry; many plants arrive already moist.
3. Give it low to medium indirect light, but avoid harsh direct sun for a few days.
4. Keep it away from other plants for one to two weeks in case of pests.
5. Wait two to four weeks before repotting. Full care guide: Bird's Nest Fern care.

Where to buy a bird's nest fern online, and why

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