Plant Care for Bird's Nest Fern

Bird's nest fronds grow out of a wooly center rosette.

The bright green fronds of the bird's nest fern grow out of a wooly rosette located in the center of the plant. This rosette resembles a bird's nest, which is how the plant acquired its name. Bird's nest ferns thrive in humid conditions. In fact, when grown in its native tropical environment the fronds of the bird's nest fern can grow up to 4 feet in length and between 3 and 8 inches wide. When kept as a houseplant, the fronds will usually grow no longer than 18 inches. A fragile plant, the bird's nest fern requires an attentive caregiver.

Things You'll Need

• Plant heating pad
• Water
• Fertilizer
• Cotton ball
• Isopropyl alcohol

Instructions

1. Provide the bird's nest fern with plenty of daytime sunlight. Direct sun will scorch the fronds, so at least six to eight hours of filtered light is preferred.

2. Maintain a constant temperature between 70 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit. For some, this temperature may not be sustainable. In such cases, a plant heating pad set to the required temperature will suffice.

3. Supply the bird's nest plant with moist soil. The soil should not dry out in between waterings. Water the soil deeply on a weekly basis, allowing the water to flow through the layers of soil and out the drainage holes.

4. Feed the bird's nest fern a diet of organic fertilizer. Follow the package labeling for application instructions and allocation amounts. Most bird's nest ferns appreciate a dose of fertilizer in the early spring and mid-summer.

5. Remove pests with a cotton ball dipped in isopropyl alcohol. Run the cotton ball over the top and bottom of each frond. The isopropyl alcohol will kill pests and render the foliage of the plant less attractive to future pests.

Tips & Warnings

• Place a saucer underneath the pot of the bird's nest fern to collect excess water. The plant can then suck the water up through its roots, quenching itself whenever necessary.

• A clay pot is an ideal container for a bird's nest fern. The clay is a breathable material that will increase airflow through the soil, reducing the possibility of root rot.

• Easily damaged, the bird's nest plant does not fare well in high-traffic areas. Damaged fronds will take their time growing back, if they do at all.

References

• Backyard Gardener.com: Asplenium nidus (Bird's Nest Fern )
• The World Vegetable Center Library: Bird's Nest Fern

Resources

• Master Gardener Online: Plant Pests