Asplenium nidus baby plant in a nursery pot

Aspleniaceae

Asplenium nidus

Bird's Nest Fern

5 for 4Pet Friendly

Broad glossy bright green fronds, each with a dark central vein, rise from one centre and arch outward into a wide funnel. Fresh fronds rise through the middle while older outer fronds form the sides, so the plant becomes broader as it matures.

Read full guide to Asplenium nidus

€8,50

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Baby · XS Pot Ø 6 cm · approx. 15 cm tall

Variant

Sizes are approximate. Height is measured from the bottom of the pot to the top of the plant; diameter at the widest point.

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Care at a glance

Asplenium nidus

Light

Bright indirect • approx. 10,000–20,000 lux

Watering

Water when ~20–35% dry

Substrate

Moisture-retentive but aerated • Evenly moist • Organic-leaning • Fine-medium

Temperature

Ideal: 18–26 °C • Avoid below: 15 °C

Humidity

High 60–80% +

Growth habit

Rosette-forming epiphytic fern.

Support

not needed

Growth speed

Slow

Cultivated size guide

Height: 60 cm • Spread: 60 cm

Toxicity & safety

Non-toxic

Origin & habitat

Native from Malesia to northern and northeastern Queensland

Outdoor growing

Outside from 12 °C · sheltered from wind

How to read these values

These care values give practical guidance for growing the plant. Adjust care for pot size, substrate, temperature and how quickly the substrate dries.

For more detail, read the full product description or visit our Plant Care Guides.

Light: level and approximate lux at leaf level.
Watering: “% dry” shows how far the substrate should dry before watering again.
Substrate: structure, drainage, moisture retention, base material and particle size.
Temperature: “Ideal” shows the preferred range; “Avoid below” marks the cold-stress threshold.
Humidity: target range; steady conditions usually matter more than exact numbers.

Growth habit: how the plant grows, such as upright, climbing, trailing, clumping or rosette-forming.
Support: whether a stake, pole or trellis is needed, optional or unnecessary.
Growth speed: expected pace under suitable growing conditions; use as a guide, not a promise.

Cultivated size guide: approximate dimensions for an established plant in the stated growing context. Height is measured upwards from the growing surface; foliage height excludes flower stems. Trailing length follows a stem, while foliage drop is the vertical distance from the crown to the lowest leaf tips. Spread is the width of the leafy plant or crown, not an individual leaf. Flowering height includes the flower stems. A container guide applies to pot-grown plants; an in-ground guide applies to plants rooted in the ground. Size also depends on age, conditions, pot space and training.

These figures do not describe the size supplied and are not fixed upper limits.

Toxicity & safety: irritation, toxicity or physical hazards such as spines or bristles.
Origin & habitat: native range, hybrid background or typical habitat where relevant.
Outdoor growing: when a potted indoor plant can be placed outside and what outdoor protection it needs.

Asplenium nidus

Broad fronds lengthen outward from the centre and gradually build a deep, wide nest. Fresh fronds rise through the middle while older outer fronds form the sides, so the plant becomes broader as it matures.

How Asplenium nidus is built

Fronds: Broad, glossy, undivided bright green fronds have gently waved edges and pointed tips.
Central vein: A strong dark central vein runs through each frond.
Nest shape: The fronds rise in a circular rosette around one centre.
New fronds: Fresh fronds emerge tightly rolled from the centre and open as they lengthen.
Spore markings: Rows of brown streaks may appear underneath older fronds when spores develop.

Origin & background

Natural range and habitat of Asplenium nidus

Asplenium nidus occurs naturally from Malesia to northern and north-eastern Queensland. It grows in wet-tropical forest on trees and rock surfaces.

Fallen leaves collect in the nest and break down around the roots, providing nutrients in the wild.

Plant care

Growing Asplenium nidus at home

Light: Give the fern bright indirect light or light shade.
Temperature: Keep temperatures around 18–26 °C. Avoid prolonged temperatures below 15 °C. Keep this tropical fern in a warm part of the room, away from cold draughts and direct heat.
Humidity: Aim for 60–80% humidity while keeping some air moving around the plant. Humid air suits this tropical fern well and supports the broad fronds. Indoor heating can dry the air, so extra humidity may be useful.
Watering: Water once the surface feels just dry while the mix underneath is still slightly moist. Soak the pot thoroughly and let it drain.
Centre: Pour water into the mix around the pot edge and keep water from collecting in the central nest.
Potting mix: Use a rich, airy fern mix with organic material and coarse bark or perlite.
Feeding: While new fronds are growing, give a half-strength balanced feed about once a month.
Slower growth: Lower light can slow the fern down, so increase the time between waterings and pause feeding until new fronds start growing again.
Repotting: Repot when roots fill the container or the old mix becomes dense and slow to drain. Keep the base at the same level in the new potting mix.
Propagation: Sow spores from mature fronds that have developed spore markings, keeping them warm and humid.

Issues & solutions

Common issues with Asplenium nidus

Brown tips or edges: Dry air, mineral-rich water, direct sun and uneven watering can mark the fronds. Keep watering and humidity steady, and use softer water if white deposits are building up.
New translucent or dark spots spread across the fronds: Wet-looking spots that enlarge can indicate a leaf disease; colour alone does not establish whether bacteria, fungi or foliar nematodes are involved. Keep the foliage dry, improve gentle airflow and separate the fern if lesions are actively spreading. Seek identification before targeted treatment or removing firm healthy fronds.
Cottony clusters, fixed bumps or sticky residue: Mealybugs or scale may be present. Isolate the fern, identify the pest and use a treatment labelled for that pest on ornamental ferns, testing a small area first. Follow the application and repeat directions on the label.
The central nest or the roots become soft: Check standing water and the condition of the root ball. Preserve the single living crown and every firm root; never cut into the central growth point. Remove only confirmed mushy root decay with clean tools and replace waterlogged mix while leaving the crown above the substrate.

Safety

Asplenium nidus is non-toxic to cats and dogs

This plant is non-toxic to cats and dogs.
Its effects on people are unclear, so keep it away from young children who may chew it.
Eating a large amount can still cause an upset stomach. Seek medical or veterinary advice if symptoms continue.

Names & etymology

About the name Asplenium nidus

Asplenium comes from the old Greek name asplenon, linked with splen, spleen. The Latin epithet nidus means nest and refers to the nest-like rosette formed by the fronds.

Carl Linnaeus established the genus Asplenium in 1753 in Species Plantarum, page 1078.

Carl Linnaeus first described Asplenium nidus in 1753 in Species Plantarum, page 1079.

Plant names, growth habits, natural habitats and indoor care guidance are checked against trusted botanical, habitat and horticultural references before publication.View our plant care resources and references.

Asplenium nidus

€8,50