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Nest Fern Asplenium nidus

Other Common Name(s):

Phonetic Spelling
as-PLEE-nee-um NEE-dus
Description

Bird's nest fern is a tropical, evergreen, epiphytic herbaceous perennial native to a wide area from Indonesia, Malaysia, New Guinea and tropical Australia. It belongs to the Spleenwort family (Aspleniaceae). 

This resident of rainforests usually grows as an epiphyte, perched on trunks and tree limbs. This plant does not tolerate dry conditions, nor can it tolerate frost.

It is characterized by dramatic foliage similar in appearance to banana leaves.  Large, simple, strap-shaped, bright green fronds have black midribs and wavy margins. The plant is a litter trapper. Its funnel-shaped rosette of fronds catches falling leaves and other debris and creates its own compost pile, which feeds the plant.

Outside the Tropics, Bird's Nest fern may be grown as a houseplant and will not survive temperatures below 40 deg F.  It does best in rich, moist, porous soil such as a fern potting mix. Misting, or humidification on a pebble tray of water, may be needed to provide adequate humidity. Bright light or light shade, such as a north-facing window is suitable. Too much sun may turn it yellow or stop growth. Ideal temperatures are 60 to 70 degrees F. Active growth periods may benefit from the monthly application of dilute liquid fertilizer. Outdoors, in tropical zones, it is attractive in containers, hanging baskets, and mass plantings or it can be allowed to grow epiphytically on tree trunks.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:  No serious problems. Fragile foliage, handle gently. Susceptible to slugs, snails, scale, mealybugs, bacterial leaf diseases, leaf nematodes, and chemical insecticides. Avoid exposure to direct heat or drafts.

VIDEO Created by NC State Extension's Homegrown series featuring Mark Weathington, Director of JC Raulston Arboretum.

Profile Video:
See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Antiquum'
    wavy leaf margins
  • 'Campio'
    ruffled, feather like green leaves
  • 'Crispy Wave'
    sword-like ruffled leaves
  • 'Osaka'
    narrow, strap-like leaves with rippled margins
  • 'Victoria'
    tongue-like fronds, long, and wavy
'Antiquum', 'Campio', 'Crispy Wave', 'Osaka', 'Victoria'
Tags:
#houseplant#shade garden#showy leaves#epiphytic#interiorscape#fern#rabbit resistant#deer resistant#fantz#humidity tolerant#container plant
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Antiquum'
    wavy leaf margins
  • 'Campio'
    ruffled, feather like green leaves
  • 'Crispy Wave'
    sword-like ruffled leaves
  • 'Osaka'
    narrow, strap-like leaves with rippled margins
  • 'Victoria'
    tongue-like fronds, long, and wavy
'Antiquum', 'Campio', 'Crispy Wave', 'Osaka', 'Victoria'
Tags:
#houseplant#shade garden#showy leaves#epiphytic#interiorscape#fern#rabbit resistant#deer resistant#fantz#humidity tolerant#container plant
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Asplenium
    Species:
    nidus
    Family:
    Aspleniaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Polynesia, HI, SE Asia, Australia, Madagascar
    Distribution:
    Polynesia, HI, SE Asia, Australia, Madagascar
    Wildlife Value:
    Food source for larvae of some Lepidoptera. Batrachedra bedelliella feeds exclusively on A. nidus.
    Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
    Rabbits, deer, heavy shade
    Dimensions:
    Height: 3 ft. 0 in. - 5 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 2 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Epiphyte
    Fern
    Houseplant
    Habit/Form:
    Arching
    Erect
    Rounded
    Growth Rate:
    Slow
    Maintenance:
    Medium
    Texture:
    Coarse
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    High Organic Matter
    Loam (Silt)
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Available Space To Plant:
    3 feet-6 feet
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    11a, 11b, 12a, 12b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Description:
    No fruits. This plant reproduces via spores.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Description:
    No flowers.
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Leathery
    Smooth
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Leaf Type:
    Fronds
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Rosulate
    Leaf Shape:
    Lanceolate
    Linear
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Undulate
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    > 6 inches
    Leaf Width:
    > 6 inches
    Leaf Description:
    Light green, glossy, simple, entire, strap shaped, wavy with a brown-black midrib. Fronds can grow to 4-5 feet long and 8 inches wide. Sori are found in clusters on the undersides, arranged in a herringbone fashion from the mid-rib to the margin of the leaf in black straight lines.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Description:
    Stemless
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Container
    Hanging Baskets
    Houseplants
    Landscape Theme:
    Shade Garden
    Design Feature:
    Accent
    Small groups
    Specimen
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Deer
    Heavy Shade
    Humidity
    Rabbits