Asplenium nidus

Asplenium Nidus, also known as ‘Nest Fern’, is a 80-100 cm tall plant with brown, woody stem and clustered leaves.
Nest fern is a large, foliage plant, exhibited a tropical and exotic style when hanged in room. It can also be planted in garden, or as a small potted plant to decorate living room, meeting room, or bedroom.
Nest fern is an effective air freshener, with lush green leaves that can produce fresh air in enclosed room.
This plant grows on tree trunks or rocks in the rainforest. It thrives in warm and humid climate, but couldn’t tolerate strong light.
Propagation by spores is recommended to carry on in spring. Fine sand and humus soil should be mixed and sterilize in high temperature. Put soil into a pot and evenly sow the mature spores on it. Then soak the basin into shallow water to make the soil being full moisture. 
You may cover a glass shelter for moisturizing, and put it below the shade. After 7 to 10 days, the spores will germinate. And it will grow green prothallus a month later. Finally, it can be cultivated in the pot after 3 months when it grows a few true leaves. 
Division is also a common method for propagation this plant: In middle April, select strong plants, divide the base part  into 2-4 pieces, and cut the leaves to 1/2 in length. Thus, each cluster contains part of the original leaves and roots. After putting plants into some new pot, you may keep them above 20 degrees with half shade and high air humidity. This method can help the wound to heal soon. 
The ideal temperature for growth is around 16℃ to 27℃. Nest fern originates from wet jungle, and it can thrive in environment with little amount of scattered light, so the plant can be kept indoors all year round. In Spring and autumn, keep the plant outdoor under tall trees will also be beneficial for its growth, and can increase the luster of leaf surface.
The special morphology and structure of Nest fern are useful for the absorption of water and nutrients. 
On the one hand, its rhizomes are short and scaly, producing large clumps of spongy fibrous roots that can absorb more water.
On the other hand, being radiate on top of the root, its leaves are in the shape of a nest. This unique structure can collect rainwater and fallen leaves in its ‘nest’. These materials will turn into humus and be an important nutrient source.
In the growth season, you can fertilize Fern nest with some nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, which can promote the growth of a large number of new leaves.


3-6 hours of sun per day, with protection from intense mid-day sun

Water moderately, allowing the top 3cm to dry out between watering.

Asplenium Nidus

Asplenium nidus

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