Plant Encyclopedia
Bird's Nest Fern (Asplenium nidus) plant care guide
intermediatefern

Bird's Nest Fern Care Guide

Asplenium nidus

Also known as: Asplenium, Bird's Nest Fern

Watering

Summer

Every 8 days

Winter

Every 12 days

Keep soil evenly moist but never waterlogged. These plants hate drying out completely.

Light

Medium indirect

A few feet from a window, or north-facing

Humidity

50-70%

Average home humidity is fine.

Pet & Child Safety

Safe for pets and children

Pot & Soil

Prefers a wide, shallow pot. Use moisture-retentive mix - peat with perlite and orchid bark.

Pot-size watering

The 8-12 day range is a starting point. A 5cm pot can need checking much sooner, while a 22cm pot may stay moist for longer. Keep the soil lightly moist, but check below the surface so a large pot is not staying soggy.

Shallow roots

This plant is better matched to a shallow or wide pot than a deep one. Deep wet soil below the root zone can stay damp too long.

Soil refresh

Refresh tired or compacted soil yearly, because moisture-loving plants still need air around the roots, not dense wet mix.

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Good to Know

Water around the edges, not in the center.

Frequently asked

How often should I water Bird's Nest Fern?▾

Every 8 days in summer and every 12 days in winter is the reference range. The 8-12 day range is a starting point. A 5cm pot can need checking much sooner, while a 22cm pot may stay moist for longer. Keep the soil lightly moist, but check below the surface so a large pot is not staying soggy. Keep soil evenly moist but never waterlogged. These plants hate drying out completely.

What light does Bird's Nest Fern need?▾

Medium indirect. A few feet from a window, or north-facing.

Is Bird's Nest Fern safe for pets and children?▾

Yes - Bird's Nest Fern is safe for pets and children.

What humidity does Bird's Nest Fern prefer?▾

50-70%. Average home humidity is fine.

What soil and pot does Bird's Nest Fern need?▾

Prefers a wide, shallow pot. Use moisture-retentive mix - peat with perlite and orchid bark. This plant is better matched to a shallow or wide pot than a deep one. Deep wet soil below the root zone can stay damp too long. Refresh tired or compacted soil yearly, because moisture-loving plants still need air around the roots, not dense wet mix.

Is Bird's Nest Fern beginner-friendly?▾

Bird's Nest Fern is a fern at intermediate difficulty - manageable with a bit of care attention.

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