Bird's nest fern

About Bird's nest fern

The bird's nest fern is a rainforest fern from Southeast Asia, Australia, Polynesia, Hawaii and Madagascar that grows on tree trunks and limbs, with broad, glossy, apple-green fronds rising in a funnel-shaped rosette (NC State). In the wild the 'nest' catches falling leaves that rot down to feed it. Unlike most ferns its fronds are undivided straps, and the dark lines in a herringbone pattern on their undersides are spore clusters, not pests.

Hardy outdoors only in zones 11-12 (NC State); it is grown indoors everywhere and can summer outdoors in shade once nights stay above about 55 F, well clear of the 40 F that kills it.

When to plant

Timing is counted from your average last spring frost (and first fall frost). Sow & Tell works out the actual dates for your ZIP code.

Usually bought as a nursery plant; it reproduces by spores and has no flowers or seeds (NC State).

Growing it indoors

• Light: Bright light or light shade, such as a north-facing window, suits it; too much sun turns the fronds yellow and stops growth (NC State).
• Water: Keep the porous mix moist but well drained; it doesn't tolerate drying out (NC State). Water until it drains, empty the tray, and use room-temperature water rather than softened water (UMN, for tropical ferns).
• Humidity: A tray of wet pebbles may be needed to keep the air humid enough (NC State); UMN prefers a room humidifier to misting for ferns.
• Temperature: NC State gives 60-70 F as ideal and says it won't survive below 40 F; MU Extension's rule for ferns is nights around 55 F. Keep it away from drafts and direct heat (NC State).
• Feeding: During active growth, a dilute liquid fertilizer about once a month (NC State); UMN warns that ferns are easily burned by overfeeding.
• Repotting: The pages we opened give no schedule; it grows slowly, so move it up a pot size in a peat-rich fern mix only when it outgrows its pot (UMN's advice for tropical ferns).

Soil

A rich, porous, moist fern mix that drains well, on the acid side (NC State).

Pot in a rich, porous, slightly acid fern mix that stays moist but drains (NC State).

Feeding

• During active growth, spring through summer: dilute liquid fertilizer. About once a month (NC State).
• When it isn't putting out new fronds: none. Hold off until new growth starts (UMN, for tropical ferns).

Ferns are easily burned by overfeeding (UMN), and NC State warns that chemical insecticides can injure this one.

Varieties (5)

NC State names 5 cultivars.

Pests to watch for

Scale insects, Mealybugs, Slugs, Brown garden snail, Foliar nematodes

Diseases and problems

Bacterial leaf diseases, Insecticide injury

In the kitchen

Safety: NC State lists no poison hazard for people. The fronds are fragile and easily damaged, and NC State warns that chemical insecticides can injure it.

Pets: Not listed by the ASPCA under bird's nest fern; the ASPCA lists its close cousin, the mother fern (Asplenium bulbiferum), as non-toxic to dogs and cats.