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Birds Nest Fern, or Asplenium nidus, is a pet-friendly houseplant perfect for placing on desks or side tables.
Latin name
Asplenium nidus
Pronunciation
(“asp-LEE-nee-um NY-dus”)
Common name
Rumah Langsuyar
Origin
Philippines, Indonesia, New Guinea, Solomon Islands and Tropical parts of Australia.
The plant’s leaves have a thick, succulent midrib (often thought of as a stem) with lots of smaller, hard, glossy leaflets growing from them arranged in pairs. Underground is a swollen potato-like structure that can store water for up to six months to help it survive periods of drought.
Asplenium nidus is non-toxic to pets and humans. It is considered safe to grow in homes with cats, dogs or children.
caring for your plant
Light
Medium-low to medium light. Avoid direct sunlight.
Watering
The growing medium should be kept moist at all times, especially during growth and while the plant is becoming established. Under-watering may lead to brown, crisp leaf edges.
Pruning
Ferns cannot be pruned. Dead fronds can be removed with a sharp knife close to the base of the plant.
Feeding
Occasional addition of dilute fertilizer to the water when you water the plant – not every time.
pest & diseases
Scale insects are occasional pests – if seen, scrape them off with a fingernail or wooden lolly stick. Don’t confuse the rust-coloured spore cases on the undersides of the fronds as pests.
Where the Asplenium nidus originates from
This species originates in the Philippines, Indonesia, New Guinea, Solomon Islands and Tropical parts of Australia.
Our plants are grown in Ecoponic, an alternative to soil. Officially known as a vulkaponic substrate, it replaces traditional compost with a clean, mineral-based medium that helps protect peatlands.
According to the IUCN UK Peatland Programme, “A loss of only 5% of UK peatland carbon would be equal to the UK’s annual greenhouse gas emissions.” As well as storing carbon, the natural wetlands where peat is found are critical to the survival of plants and wildlife. Ecoponic also improves plant health and uses water more efficiently.
Find out more about Ecoponic here.
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