The tropical-rainforest is the natural home of this fern, where it can develop leaves up to 1m in length. It thrives best in warm humid conditions, but also manages amazingly well in dry, centrally heated air. This plant loves to live in trees like a bromeliad, where it collects water and humus in its leaf-rosette (nest).

This particular fern is a very close relative of Asplenium rutamuraria, a delicate fern that grows in the cracks of old walls.

To keep it successfully, a Birds Nest Fern must be kept warm, semi-shady, humid and only water/mist with room temperature rain or filtered tap water. Kitchens, Bathrooms and Conservatories make the best locations. Always keep the temperature above 16° C and mist daily in centrally heated rooms!

It is best to water into the centre of the nest and feed weekly with a weak solution during spring and summer. I usually combine watering with my misting routine. Two or three times a week, I place my fern in the bath and mist all the leaves well. By allowing the water to run down the leaves and collect in the nest, I duplicate the natural way the plant would collect its own water and get clean and shiny leaves. Two things for the price of one :) I don't recommend feeding via this method. I suggest you pour the food solution directly into the nest as you may get residue from spraying on the leaves, which will look unsightly.

Unforunately cuttings are not possible as new plants can only be grown from spores. The spores require the use of a warm propagator, which can be deemed as specialist equipment, and is not likely to be something most people have. The up side is, being popular makes them inexpensive and available in most plant shops.

Birds Nest Ferns are pratically trouble free as they have no pests that like to live on them. Although, they have a few minor ailments which are usually a direct result of poor culture or environment. Browning of the leaves can be caused by too dry air or too low temperatures and extremely slow growth is indicative of cold roots. Upon correcting the culture the plant will recover rapidly. Alas browned leaves will not go green again and should be removed at their base. This will help keep your plant looking it's best. I suggest you only remove old or damaged leaves when the plant is growing well.