Caring For and Maintaining Your Asplenium

Asplenium, also know as the Bird’s Nest Fern, is native to Southeast Asia, Australia, and New Guinea, where it is often found growing in the crooks of trees. Although easy to grow, its fronds are quite delicate, so you will want to avoid touching or watering them, especially in the center of the plant. Asplenium absolutely loves warmth and high humidity.

Sunlight: Asplenium needs moderate filtered light to shady conditions for optimal growth. Too much sun will cause the leaves to become pale, so place them near an east or north facing window.

Water: Give your Asplenium a drink when the top 1” of soil becomes dry. Do not water the plant directly; rather, water the soil around your Asplenium. Watering your Asplenium in the center of the plant, where it is the thickest, will damage the fronds. Don’t let your Asplenium sit in soggy soil as you are liable to end up with a bad case of root rot.

Humidity: Colorado is a dry state with humidity levels much lower than the native environments in which Asplenium inhabit. To help create a more humid environment for your Asplenium, consider adding a fine mist humidifier to the room(s) in which you have your Asplenium. You can also place trays filled with stones and water nearby your Asplenium to increase local humidity. Misting your Asplenium with a hand sprayer will also help raise the local humidity level. Although the more humidity the better, a constant relative humidity of 50-55% will promote your Asplenium’s growth and health.

Temperature: Like most houseplants, Asplenium prefers temperatures in the range of 65-85 degrees F (18-30 degrees C). Avoid having your Asplenium experience temperatures below 60 degrees F (15 degrees C).

Soil: Use a well-draining potting mix. We recommend either Fertilome or Fox Farm Potting mix.