With long, elegant fronds, a bird’s nest ferns is an excellent addition to areas that need a pop of green. Although they’re native to tropical rainforests, they can thrive indoors if you provide them with the proper care. In this article, you’ll learn all you need to know about bird’s nest fern care, including how to establish an ideal watering schedule, select the perfect potting mix, and handle any issues that may arise.
About the Bird’s Nest Fern
When you hear the word fern, you may think of lacy growing in the dappled shade of temperate forest floors. However, the bird’s nest fern (Asplenium nidus) calls tropical forests home. It’s native to southeast Asia, islands in the Pacific Ocean, India, and eastern Africa.
These tropical ferns have long, wide fronds with straight leaf margins. That means they lack the lacy appearance of many other types of ferns. The bird’s nest fern frdns grow one to five feet long and are arranged in a tight rosette. This structure creates a bowl-like structure in the middle of the plant, leading to the name bird’s nest fern.
Some bird’s nest ferns grow on the ground in soil rich in organic matter, but many of these plants grow in the crooks and grooves of tree trunks. The plans that grow in trees are known as epiphytes. The ferns don’t rely on the larger plants for nutrients or water, but instead collect these vital elements from the water and organic matter that collects in the middle of their fronds.
How to Care for a Bird’s Nest Fern Indoors
Although these ferns are native to the topics, they’ve become popular houseplants in much of the world. Fortunately, bird’s nest fern care is pretty straightforward. Warm temperatures, well-draining yet moist soil, and indirect light will keep these plants happy.
Choose the Proper Pot
Choose a pot that’s just a bit larger than the base of the plant. You want a pot that’s large enough to prevent the fern from toppling over but not so large that the soil becomes soggy. In most cases, a container that’s 10 or 12 inches in diameter will work well. The container material isn’t important, but be aware that terracotta pots require more water than plastic or glazed ceramic containers. No matter which type of pot you choose, ensure the bottom contains at least one drainage hole.
Plant Them in a Suitable Potting Mix
Since bird’s nest ferns are used to growing in the tree crooks filled with decayed bark, they prefer soil that’s high in organic matter. Peat moss, coco coir, and compost are all types of organic matter that hold water while also allowing for good airflow. Mixing these materials with perlite and/or pine bark fines will create a potting mix that holes water yet allows excess water to drain. A mixture of half peat moss or coco coir, a quart pine bark fines, and a quarter perlite works well for bird’s nest ferns.
If you don’t want to create a potting mix from scratch, you can purchase a pre-blended peat moss based mix. However, consider mixing in a few handfuls of pine bark fines or perlite to improve drainage.
Water Regularly
Bird’s nest ferns don’t love soggy or bone-dry soil. That means your job is to water your plant so the soil remains moderately moist at all times. It’s okay if the soil dries out a bit between waters (in fact, it’s preferred), but you shouldn’t let all the mix turn dry before you water. A good rule of thumb is to water your fern when the top one to two inches of soil is dry. You can stick your finger into the soil to check the soil moisture.
The elegant fronds are prone to developing fungal diseases, so aim to keep them dry when you water. Pouring water along the outer edge of the container is a good way to ensure the fern’s roots receive the moisture they need while also keeping the foliage dry.
Provide Indirect Light
These tropical plants are used to growing in the understory of forests. That means a key component of bird’s nest fern care is providing indirect light. Bright, direct light will scorch the ferns and stress the plants. A better alternative is a location that’s dim yet not completely dark. A few feet away from a west-facing window or the corner of a room often work well. You can also place your bird’s nest fern in a bathroom with a small window.
Keep the Air Warm and Humid
Bird’s nest ferns will thrive if you provide an environment that mimics the tropical forests they call home. Aim to keep air temperatures between 60-80°F, and make sure your plant isn’t exposed to any hot or cold drafts.
The plans will be happiest with high humidity, but moderate humidity will also work. If your home is dry, you will need to boost the air moisture in order to keep these plants happy. A humidifier is the best and most reliable way to increase the humidity, but you can also try regularly spritzing the air with water.
Fertilize During the Growing Season
Giving your fern a boost of nutrients during the growing season will help keep the fronds green, provide energy for new growth, and help the plant handle stress. Select a balanced houseplant fertilizer with an NPK ratio of 1-1-1 or 2-2-2 and dilute it to half the recommended strength. Apply this diluted fertilizer to your fern once a month from early spring to the middle of summer. Avoid applying too much fertilizer since these can lead to even greater problems than too little fertilizer.
Common Bird’s Nest Fern Problems
While you don’t have to be a plant expert to care for bird’s nest ferns, these plants can still experience their fair share of problems. Here are some common problems people face with bird’s nest fern plant care.
Yellowing Leaves
If you notice your plant’s fronds are turning yellow, numerous factors could be the cause. First, check the soil moisture and your watering schedule. Both underwatering and overwatering can lead to yellow leaves; overwatering can lead to root rot and issues with water and nutrient uptake and underwatering means the plant doesn’t have the water it needs. Remember to keep the soil moderately moist and water your fern once every week or two.
Another possible cause of yellow leaves is low air temperatures or drafts. Temperatures outside of the plant’s preferred range lead to stress which can appear as yellowing leaves. You can remedy this problem by placing your fern somewhere with temperatures between 60-80°F.
Finally, too much or too little fertilizer can lead to yellow leaves. If older leaves are a pale shade of green, try adding more fertilizer. However, if the leaf tips are yellow, there’s a chance you added too much fertilizer.
Brown Leaf Tips
Brown leaf tips may indicate a problem with the environment, but they can also be a natural part of the plant’s growth. As bird’s nest ferns grow older, their outer fronds turn dry and brown before falling off the plants. However, these crispy tips may also signal you are underwatering or growing your plants in an area with dry air. Increasing the humidity and watering more frequently will help with these issues.
Brighten Your Day with Plants and Flowers
There’s no denying that plants brighten our days and bring a sense of serenity to busy moments. While adding a plant to your home or office may not seem like a big step, this little action is a step towards self-care and peace. And now that you know how to care for a bird’s nest fern, you don’t have to stress about whether you’ll be able to keep your plant healthy!
Of course, these gorgeous ferns aren’t the only plants out there. If you’d like something a bit brighter, pick out a bromeliad and learn about caring for bromeliad plants. And if a whimsical, umbrella-like plant peaks your interest, check out our schefflera care guide. No matter which plant you choose, we’re here for you with a variety of plants for delivery. And if plants aren’t your thing, pick out a bouquet of farm-fresh flowers for yourself or a loved one.
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