Plant Library
Bird's Nest Fern Care Guide
Asplenium nidus
By the Plantshop.com Editorial Team · Updated · 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.
Plant profile
- Light
- Low to medium indirect light
- Water
- When the top 1 in of soil is dry; water at the soil, not into the center
- Humidity
- Medium to high
- Pets
- Asplenium nidus is not on the ASPCA list (the related parsley fern, A. bulbiferum, is listed non-toxic); ask your vet if unsure [ASPCA]
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Size
- 1-3 ft
- Growth
- Slow
Light
Low to medium indirect light. Rotate the pot every few weeks so growth stays even.
Water
When the top 1 in of soil is dry; water at the soil, not into the center. Always use a pot with drainage holes and empty the saucer after watering. Plants use far less water in winter.
Humidity and temperature
Humidity: medium to high. Most houseplants prefer 60-80°F (16-27°C) and dislike cold drafts and heating vents.
Soil and feeding
Use a well-draining potting mix with bark or perlite for air. Feed lightly in spring and summer with a balanced houseplant fertilizer at half strength; skip feeding in winter.
Our tip
Never pour water into the central 'nest'; that is where rot starts.
Common problems
- Brown frond edges: Dry air or drying out.
- Mushy center: Water sitting in the crown.
- Pale fronds: Too much direct light.
Pets
Asplenium nidus is not on the ASPCA list (the related parsley fern, A. bulbiferum, is listed non-toxic); ask your vet if unsure. Check the ASPCA plant list. If a pet chews it and shows symptoms, call your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center. Check any plant in our Pet-Safe Plant Checker.
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