The Birds Nest Fern ( Asplenium nidus ) is a beautiful addition to any shaded outdoor area, grown on trees or boards or even indoors. It is a tropical evergreen plant native to tropical parts of Africa, Asia, India, Hawaii, and Australia! Unlike many fern varieties this one has large complete leaves, not like most people picture a fern in their mind.
Although this species is native to tropical regions it is easily grown outdoors in temperate areas. If Bird’s Nest Fern is in a protected area like a fernery that doesn’t get full sun, cold winds, and frosts; they will cope well with the cold weather right down to 0°C. They prefer a shaded location, so a space with a shade cloth cover is perfect, direct sunlight will burn their leaves.
Growth
Asplenium nidus is evergreen, and its fronds can grow up to just over a metre but more commonly around 60 cm’s tall and 20 cm’s wide. The leaves (fronds) are glossy, bright green and are slightly ribbed and the main frond rib is almost black in colour. The fronds grow from the inside, oldest ones on the outside and are curved inwards to collect and move rainwater to its centre and base, like a funnel.
The roots of this species are quite small and happily grow in pots, they prefer moist soil but not wet and boggy. In temperate climates we recommend using river pebbles / rocks around the base of the plant as this can help keep humidity around the plant year-round.
Note: Germination instructions can be found in the ‘Germination Instructions Tab’ below. Upon purchase you will receive these detailed instructions via email so that you have a permanent record.
FAMILY:
Aspleniaceae
CLIMATE:
Temperate to Tropical
TEMPERATURE RANGE:
5 to 35°C / 41 to 95°F (Will tolerate to 0°C/32°F if it is in a location protected from frost and cold winds)
SOIL TYPE:
Well-draining, moist peat to loam soil
LOCATION:
Full Shade preferred.
HEIGHT:
Up to 1.2 metres (4 feet)
WIDTH:
Up to 1 metre (3 feet)
pH:
5.0-6.0
GROWTH TYPE:
Evergreen, Epiphytic
WATER REQUIREMENTS:
Medium.
POLLINATION:
Spores form on the underside of the fronds, which have both male and female organisms present.
MATURITY:
2-5 years
GERMINATION RATES:
80-90%
GERMINATION TIME:
Germination process will usually begin around 2-6 weeks; however it may be many months before they start to look like little ferns.
GERMINATION DIFFICULTY:
Medium
SEEDS PER GRAM:
Too many to count – well into the hundreds of thousands.
MEDICINAL QUALITIES:
Yes
WEED POTENTIAL:
No
EDIBLE:
Young sprouts can be eaten.
SEED STORAGE & VIABILITY:
Cold Storage at 4°C (Fridge) up to 1 year.
FACTS ABOUT ASPLENIUM NIDUS (Bird’s Nest Fern)
The young sprouts of Bird’s Nest Fern are eaten in Taiwan.
The Bird’s Nest Fern will grow onto other trees, however, is not a parasite plant as it does not take water or nutrients from its host plant.
Asplenium nidus studies have shown that the plant has antibacterial properties, which have shown its use in traditional medicine is warranted.
