Nest fern (bot. Asplenium nidus) adorns the home with bright green fronds arranged in lush rosettes that become more impressive with age. The ornamental leaf plant is suitable as an uncomplicated indoor and container plant, which also finds a suitable place on the balcony or terrace during the summer months. In this article you will learn how to properly care for the pretty plant.

The nest fern likes to spend the summer outdoors

Table of Contents

Show all
  1. origin and distribution
  2. appearance and growth
  3. leaves
  4. Blossoms, flowering period and fruits
  5. toxicity
  6. Which location is suitable?
  7. substrate
  8. plants and repotting
  9. Water nest fern
  10. Fertilize nest fern properly
  11. Cut nest fern correctly
  12. propagate nest fern
  13. species and varieties

    14. origin and distribution

    The nest fern (bot. Asplenium nidus) is a species of fern from the spleenwort family (bot. Aspleniaceae) that was already widespread in prehistoric times. The house and container plant, which is popular with us because of its simplicity and its stately, green tuft of leaves, comes from the tropical regions of Asia, Australia and Africa, where it grows as an epiphyte on trees (bot. epiphyte) or rocks (bot. lithophyte) and partly very common. The nest fern is one of the most important habitats of many arboreal frog species, since the amphibians find the moist and cool microclimate they need in the frond funnels.

    appearance and growth

    The nest fern, which grows epiphytically in its natural environment, can reach considerable sizes and is often between 90 and 100 centimeters high in indoor culture. The plant develops a dense rosette of rich green foliage leaves called fern fronds, growing from a stout, woody rhizome. In addition to the fronds, numerous aerial roots also arise from the rhizome, which can form a dense tangle. Nest ferns initially grow more upright, but the longer and longer leaves hang over slightly with age.

    leaves

    The long, wavy leaves of the nest fern arise from a funnel-shaped, basal rosette and grow more or less upright. The nest-shaped leaf funnel has an important function for the nest fern, because both rainwater and plant remains collect here. These ensure that the plant is supplied with moisture and nutrients. The lanceolate leaves can grow up to 120 centimeters long and up to 30 centimeters wide.

    Blossoms, flowering period and fruits

    Like all ferns, the nest fern does not form flowers and is therefore purely a leaf ornamental plant. However, Asplenium nidus itself reproduces through spores, which sit in groups on the undersides of the long leaves to the right and left of the midrib in elongated spore camps.

    toxicity

    Nest fern is - like almost all real ferns - non-toxic. In some Asian regions, for example in the mountainous regions of Taiwan, the leaves are traditionally even prepared as a vegetable.

    Which location is suitable?

    From a botanical point of view, ferns - and thus also the nest fern - belong to the shade plants. However, this does not mean that they can do completely without light. In its natural habitat, the nest fern thrives in the shelter of the tall jungle trees, but still gets enough sunlight for its lush growth. The plant feels most comfortable in partial shade or light shade, only direct sun should be avoided - this causes burns on the delicate fern fronds. A spot by a north-facing window is perfect. The plant also feels comfortable in the bathroom due to the high humidity it requires. Keep the humidity high at at least 60 percent, better up to 80 percent, all year round and ensure warm temperatures between 18 and 25 degrees Celsius. The nest fern does not tolerate drafts either.

    substrate

    In terms of the right substrate, nest fern is not quite as demanding. In principle, the plant thrives in all commercially available potting soil, as long as it contains humus instead of peat and is mixed with expanded clay granules, gravel or sand to improve permeability. You should also add a layer of expanded clay (€19.73) or gravel to the bottom of the pot for better drainage. Since the nest fern, like many tropical orchid species, is an epiphytic species, you can also place the plant in coarse orchid soil.

    plants and repotting

    Since the nest fern grows quite slowly and does not develop a strong root system, you only have to transplant it into new soil every two to three years - exception: you water the plant with calcareous tap water, then annual repotting in fresh substrate is recommended. Like other epiphytes, nest ferns are very sensitive to lime. A larger plant pot, on the other hand, is only necessary if the fine roots are already growing out of the old container. The new pot should not be too big, one size larger than the old one is sufficient.

    When planting and repotting, remove as much of the old, used substrate as possible and sterilize the new one in the oven (30 minutes at 150 degrees Celsius) or in the microwave (10 minutes at 800 watts) to protect against pests and pathogens. Also, do without a cachepot and place the planter on a bowl filled with stones and water to increase the humidity.

    Water nest fern

    As a typical rainforest plant, the root ball of the nest fern should always be kept slightly moist, but never wet - the plant, which is sensitive in this respect, does not tolerate waterlogging at all. It is better to let the substrate dry out slightly before watering or diving again. Especially during the warm summer months, the nest fern often has a high water requirement and can therefore occasionally be dipped in a bucket of water with its root ball. Also pay attention to these tips when watering:

    • If possible, only use water that is low in lime.
    • Filtered or well-stale tap water or rainwater are good.
    • Ordinary tap water can also be used.
    • Then, however, it must be repotted annually in fresh substrate.
    • Otherwise there will be deficiency symptoms.
    • Always water with room-warm water, never with cold water.

    Also make sure to always water from below and directly onto the substrate, the sensitive fern fronds should not be wetted.

    spray

    In the rainforest, the humidity is naturally very high. So that the nest fern also feels comfortable in your living room, you should create similar conditions there. Simple methods are suitable for this, which should be used in particular during the winter heating period (and the associated dry room air):

    • Set up a humidifier.
    • Install an indoor fountain.
    • You can easily build this yourself.
    • Set out bowls filled with pebbles or gemstones and water.
    • Place the plant pot on such a stone bowl instead of in a planter.
    • This bowl should be larger than the pot to allow the water to evaporate.
    • However, the roots of the nest fern should never stand in water.

    Many tropical houseplants should be sprayed regularly with a fine mist spray to keep humidity levels high. However, you should refrain from doing this with the nest fern, as the sensitive leaves do not tolerate such treatment and then develop unsightly brown spots.

    Fertilize nest fern properly

    Regular fertilization of the nest fern is not necessary in the first year after repotting or if it is moved to fresh substrate every year. Only from the second year do you supply the plant between April and September with a liquid, low-dose green plant fertilizer, which you best administer together with the irrigation water. One dose every two to three weeks is sufficient. During the second half of the year, either fertilize very lightly every six to eight weeks or not at all.

    Cut nest fern correctly

    A regular pruning is neither necessary nor useful for the nest fern. For example, you shouldn't want to limit the plant in size or girth using scissors, as this will leave an unevenly shaped leaf funnel. Only remove dried fern fronds directly at the base, but you should not cut into the still green leaves. Once pruned, fronds will not grow back.

    propagate nest fern

    Ferns cannot be propagated vegetatively or by seed. The only way to reproduce is through the spores on the underside of the leaves. However, you need a lot of patience, because it can take up to a year before the offspring are recognizable as nest ferns. And that's how it works:

    • Reproduction is only possible with mature spores.
    • You can recognize these by the fact that they dust easily.
    • Cut off a sporulated frond.
    • Put it in a paper bag and let it dry for a few days.
    • During this time, the spores are released and can be sown.
    • Well-moistened sand is suitable as a substrate.
    • Nest ferns need light to germinate, so do not cover the spores with substrate.
    • Cover the plant pot with glass or foil.
    • Place it in the shade and at a temperature of at least 22 degrees Celsius.

    Do not throw away the substrate if, after a few months, the surface turns slightly greenish. These are not mold fungi, but the developing young plants. However, these can only be recognized as such after a few more months. Plant them in separate pots once they have reached a height of about three centimeters.

    tips

    If the nest fern feels comfortable in its location, you should definitely not move it. The plant can react very sensitively to such a disturbance with drying out fronds. However, you can rotate the plant pot every few days for even growth.

    species and varieties

    Usually only the species Asplenium nidus is offered commercially, as only a few varieties exist. These differ in height and the shape of their leaves, which are usually more or less wavy. The 'Crissie' variety, for example, is particularly interesting, as it has heavily fringed leaf tips and is therefore quite peculiar.

    Spleen fern (bot. Asplenium antiquum), sometimes also called nest fern, is quite similar to nest fern, but develops thicker and more pointed leaves. Native to East Asia, this species is closely related to and closely resembles the native stag's tongue fern (bot. Asplenium scolopendrium). This can also be cultivated as a houseplant, as can the breeding fern (bot. Asplenium bulbiferium).

Category:

Vegetable garden