Consulta Plantas

Care of the indoor plant Asplenium nidus or Bird's-nest

The genus Asplenium, family Aspleniaceae, comprises more than 350 species of ferns of cosmopolitan distribution. Some species are: Asplenium nidus, Asplenium antiquum, Asplenium bulbiferum, Asplenium scolopendrium, Asplenium flabellifolium, Asplenium caudatum, Asplenium radicans, Asplenium lanceolatum.

Common names: Bird's-nest fern, Nest fern. This species is native to tropical southeastern Asia, eastern Australia, Hawaii, Polynesia, Christmas Island, India, and eastern Africa.

They are broad-fronted ferns that group from the base creating a funnel or bird's nest; They are bright green in color with a dark central nerve.

They are used as houseplants in rooms with good lighting (without direct sunlight), high ambient humidity and protected from drafts.

Asplenium nidus needs a shadow exposure because the direct sun burns the leaves instantly. The temperature must not be above 25 ºC (77 ºF) nor below 15 ºC (59 ºF).

The ideal soil is a mixture, in equal parts, of heather earth, siliceous sand and peat. In case of transplant it is better to do it in the spring.

Water frequently so that the soil is always wet but never waterlogged. When it is very hot, spray the leaves with lime-free water.

Fertilize in summer every 20 days with foliar fertilizer.

They are prone to attack by mealybugs and fungi. It's convenient to remove the surface soil every 15 days to aerate the roots and avoid fungal diseases.

Propagation is very complicated (they reproduce by spores); It's advisable to buy new specimens in nurseries, garden centers or plant shops.

Images of the indoor plant Asplenium nidus or Bird's-nest