The gorgeous Bird’s Nest Fern, whose name comes from the nest-like center of the plant, is not your typical fern. Hardier than most of its kind, the Bird’s Nest Fern boasts thick, waxy leaves that slowly unfurl to create a beautiful and unique accent on a table, shelf, or bedroom dresser. But though it trumps most other ferns in terms of maintenance, it is still unforgiving to things like too much sun or an inconsistent watering schedule. Read on to find simple tips on how to care for and grow your Bird’s Nest Fern.

How much light does the Bird’s Nest Fern need?

This plant prefers medium to bright indirect light, and will scorch in direct sunlight. Ferns can also adjust to medium-low light over time.

How often to water your fern

Keep the soil evenly moist, never allowing it to completely dry out. Water around the edge of the pot and never in the center of its “nest”, a watering can with a long spout will help you be precise!

Bird’s Nest Fern Growth Rate

In prime conditions, the Bird’s Nest Fern will unfurl new leaves regularly from the center of its “nest”. Fertilize once a month during spring and summer, and consider foliar feeding year round.

Common problems with Bird’s Nest Fern

Pale leaves - too much light

• Symptom - pale, yellowish leaves

• Cause - too much light

• Remedy - Bird’s Nest Ferns do best with medium indirect light — avoid putting the plant in a place where it is exposed to too much light or direct sunlight.

Brown edges - underwatering, too cold or too dry

• Symptom - leaves turning brown at the edges

• Cause - most likely underwatering, but could also be that the temperature is too cold or the air is too dry

• Remedy - Be sure to keep a consistent watering schedule to ensure the plant’s soil is just moist to the touch. You may also mist the plant weekly to boost moisture levels, and make sure it is not placed near any air vents, heaters, or air conditioners.

Yellow and/or wilting leaves - overwatering

• Symptom - yellowing or wilting leaves

• Cause - overwatering

• Remedy - Unless a very minor case of overwatering, you will most likely need to repot your plant to avoid root rot. See instructions below on how to repot a Bird’s Nest Fern.

How to maintain a beautiful and healthy Bird’s Nest Fern

Take care of your Bird’s Nest Fern and it will take care of you! Below are simple tips to continue caring for and growing your Bird’s Nest Fern over time.

Pruning

The birds nest fern does not need much pruning, though it is normal for lower leaves to grow old and scraggly, in which case you can remove them at the base with sharp, clean pruning shears.

Cleaning

Take each leaf between two soft tissue cloths and wipe off the top to reveal a healthy shine (also helps the plant soak in more light!).

Repotting the Bird’s Nest Fern

Ferns generally do not become rootbound, but if the plant is looking unstable or that it might “fall out” of its pot, consider repotting into something slightly bigger with fresh soil.

Houseplants grow much slower than they would in the wild. Depending on the size of your plant and the density of the roots, this is nice to do every 2-3 years to provide fresh nutrients and encourage new growth.

• When to repot - if or when the plant looks unstable in its soil, it is time to repot

• Pot sizing - if you want your plant to grow taller, find a nursery pot that’s 2” in diameter larger than the current pot.

• Get your hands dirty - spread out newspaper on the floor, remove the plant from the pot and shake off as much of the old soil as possible so that you have clean roots. Place the plant in the center of the pot, add new soil and pat down firmly. Water the soil thoroughly and place the plant in an area with bright indirect light. Your plant will take 2-4 weeks to settle from the shock and adjust to its new home.

How to propagate a Bird’s Nest Fern

It is very difficult to propagate Bird’s Nest Ferns, though if you would like to try, it is best to use tissue culture method.

• Harvest spores - The spores of your bird’s nest fern look like tiny brown lines on the undersides of the leaves. When the spores have grown large and fuzzy, trim the leaf they are growing on and carefully place the leaf in a paper bag. The spores should collect at the bottom of the bag after a few days.

• Germinate spores - Place the spores on top of a small pot of sphagnum moss, and place the pot in a dish with water. Make sure there is always water in the dish, and mist the spores on top daily. After 2-3 weeks, they should begin to germinate.

• Repot in fresh soil - Once you seedlings, pot in fresh soil and keep consistently moist for the first 3-4 weeks.

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Bird’s Nest Fern

A resilient indoor fern with large wavy fronds grow in a circular pattern, resembling a bird’s nest.

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The beautiful Bird’s Nest Fern is far from your typical fern variety. Named for the way its foliage grows from its nest-like center, Bird’s Nest Ferns are a hardy and lush indoor fern variety with thick, verdant leaves that unfurl luxuriously. But although its care routine is very simple in comparison to most ferns, it does require a specific watering regimen. Diverting from this is the most common cause of curling leaves in Bird’s Nest Ferns. Don’t fret! Just read on to learn how to correct your Bird’s Nest Fern’s curling leaves.

Overwatering

Like most ferns, Bird’s Nest Ferns prefer for their soil to be consistently moist, but not drenched. If you suspect that you’ve provided your fern with too much water, you’ll need to allow its soil to dry out: not entirely, but to reach an even and consistent level of moisture, before watering again.

Incorrect Watering

It is paramount that you never water the Bird’s Nest Fern’s center. Always water around the outermost edges of your Bird’s Nest Fern, which will allow the water to be pulled in by the plant in all the right places. Watering directly in the center of the “nest” can result in a bogged-down, waterlogged fern which may ultimately require repotting to rectify.

Repot When Needed

If your Bird’s Nest Fern has become severely waterlogged, it is at risk of root rot, which can ultimately result in the plant losing all viability. Don’t be afraid to repot in instances like these. Simply plan on getting a little dirty. Move outside or spread newspaper on the floor, then remove the fern from its plastic nursery pot and shake off as much of the old soil as you can, so that you can see the roots. Roots that are severely rotted can be trimmed off with clean, sharp scissors. Then, place the plant in the center of the pot, add new soil (avoid replacing more than 1/3 of the overall soil at one time) and pat the soil down firmly. Water the soil thoroughly until moist, not drenched, and place the plant in an area with bright indirect light. Your plant will take 2-4 weeks to settle from the shock and adjust, but it should mitigate the issue of further root rot developing.

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Bird’s Nest Fern

Verdant, resilient and deeply hued, this indoor fern variety boasts lush foliage, which grows in wavy fronds from the plant’s center, resembling a bird’s nest. The Bird’s Nest Fern prefers medium to bright light, consistent moisture and steady humidity.

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The Bird’s Nest Fern is the champion of the indoor ferns. Both low-maintenance and vibrant, its unique foliage sets it apart, and it’s far and away the easiest indoor ornamental fern to care for. Named for the way its quill-like leaves grow from a nest-like center, the Bird’s Nest Fern is a lush choice for tabletops and they make gorgeous centerpieces. But although it is low-maintenance, it is somewhat sensitive to light, which can result in pale and/or yellowing leaves. Not to worry! Read on to learn our simple steps on how to correct leaf discoloration and keep your Bird’s Nest Fern healthy and happy.

Pale Leaves: Too Much Light

Bird’s Nest Ferns have a preference for medium, indirect light. Too much bright light is simply too different from the light that they receive in their native, tropical environments, which are both moist and filtered by the canopies of other plants inhabiting the same biome. If your Bird’s Nest Fern is in a spot where it receives direct natural light, it will need to be moved to a space that receives diffuse, medium light. Similarly, if it is in a spot that receives bright light from artificial appliances, it will likely need to be moved to a space with light that is more gentle and less direct.

Yellow Leaves: Overwatering

Yellow leaves are one of Mother Nature’s most common signs of overwatering. This symptom can be seen consistently across many plant families, and the Bird’s Nest Fern is no exception. If its leaves are yellow, sagging, and have the appearance of holding a lot of moisture within them, the fern is likely overwatered. Remember that your Bird’s Nest Fern needs its soil to be kept consistently moist, not drenched. And never water directly within the center of the plant’s nest- always water along the outer edges of the plant’s soil. A watering can with a narrow spout can assist you with this.

If you’re concerned that your fern has been severely overwatered, lift it out of its ceramic pot (still within its plastic nursery pot) and check the ceramic for any signs of standing water. If water has pooled within it, dump it out. Allow the plant’s soil to dry to a consistently moist state before returning the fern to its ceramic pot, then resume your watering schedule: always aiming for consistent moisture, not soaking.

Further Support

If you follow the steps above and the condition of your Bird’s Nest Fern’s does not improve, don’t hesitate to reach out to our Plant Doctor Service. Just log into your Leon and George account and select “Contact Plant Doctor” from the menu. Then, upload photos of your plant as a whole, as well as close-ups of any areas exhibiting a pale or yellow tone, and provide details on the water your fern receives (both how much, and how often) as well as a description of its lighting environment. The Plant Doctor team will get back to you within 1-2 business days with an assessment, and guidance on how to get your fern back on track.

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Bird’s Nest Fern

A resilient, low-maintenance and beautifully full indoor fern, the Bird’s Nest Fern’s claim to fame is its luscious, quill-like foliage, which grows in ample fronds from the plant’s center, resembling a bird’s nest. Bird’s Nest Ferns require medium light, consistent moisture and steady humidity. Ideal for tabletops and renowned for their use as eye-catching centerpieces.

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We love the Bird’s Nest Fern for its unique foliage and its disposition as an easy-care indoor ornamental fern. Named for its voluminous shape, with feather-like leaves growing from a nest-like center, the Bird’s Nest Fern is a luxurious and vibrant option for indoor spaces of any style. But although it’s quite low-maintenance as far as indoor ferns go, it can still exhibit stress through browning leaf edges. No need to panic! Read our tips on how to correct browning edges on your Bird’s Nest Fern’s leaves, and how to avoid the issue recurring.

Underwatering

Bird’s Nest Ferns desire consistently moist, but not drenched, soil. Underwatering is a common culprit for browning leaf edges, so be sure to water your fern regularly, by using a watering can with a narrow spout and focusing on the soil’s outer edges. Never water directly within the center of the plant’s nest- this can result in the plant becoming waterlogged, and even experiencing root rot.

Environment Too Dry And/Or Cold

You’re likely aware, but like so many indoor plant varieties, the Bird’s Nest Fern is native to a tropical and moist environment. It can be a challenge to recreate this at home, but we do our best! Ensure that your home maintains a stable, consistent temperature. Temperatures below the 60s can cause your fern to become stressed. The same goes for drafts: it’s vital to keep your Bird’s Nest Fern away from appliances that can create drafts, including AC units, heaters, any other vent, or windows or doors that are frequently opened and closed. Support your fern’s moisture by misting up to three times a week.

More Support

If your Bird’s Nest Fern continues to exhibit browning leaf edges despite following the steps above, our Plant Doctor Service is here to help. Simply log into your Leon and George account and select “Contact Plant Doctor”. Upload photos of your plant as a whole, as well as close-ups of the areas experiencing browning, and provide information regarding the water it is receiving (both how much, and how often) as well as a description of its lighting environment. Our Plant Doctors will get back to you within 1-2 business days with their assessment and guidance to get it back on track.

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Bird’s Nest Fern

A luxuriously full and resilient indoor fern variety, the Bird’s Nest Fern boasts lush, quill-like foliage, which grows in frills from the plant’s center, resembling a bird’s nest. The Bird’s Nest Fern prefers medium to bright light, consistent moisture and steady humidity. Ideal for tabletops and as centerpieces.

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