Birds Nest Ferns

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Birds nest ferns grow as a single rosette of broad, glossy, undivided fronds around a central nest, a shape unlike any other fern. In the wild they perch on trees and rocks in rainforest, which is why they suit shaded gardens, tree trunks, patios and bright rooms. Choose the large native species for a bold outdoor feature, or a compact form with wavy, rippled or crested fronds for a pot indoors. All want shade, moisture and shelter.

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How to choose a birds nest fern

Start with where it will live. For the garden, the native Bird's Nest Fern is the big one, with fronds that reach a metre or more and a rosette that can span 2m in time. It is the plant for the base of a palm, a shaded corner or the fork of a tree. Japanese Birds Nest Fern is more upright, with narrower fronds and rippled edges, and fits a tighter space.

For pots and indoors, look at the forms selected for their leaf shape. Crispy Wave Bird's Nest Fern stays compact with stiff, deeply pleated fronds. Lasagna Bird's Nest Fern has frilled, ruffled edges, and Crested Bird's Nest Fern forks at the tips of the fronds. These are slower and smaller than the species.

Where birds nest ferns grow

Outdoors they suit tropical, subtropical and mild temperate gardens in shade or dappled light, out of hot wind. Direct summer sun bleaches and burns the fronds. The native species takes cool winters and the odd light frost under a tree canopy, but open frost will damage it. They grow in the ground in loose, leafy soil, in pots, or mounted on a tree or a board as they grow in nature.

Indoors, place them in bright indirect light away from heaters and air conditioning vents. Bathrooms and kitchens with a window suit them because the air is more humid. They pair well with other ferns for shady areas outside and sit among the easier indoor plants to keep.

Planting and spacing

Allow the large species 1m to 1.5m between plants, and compact forms 40cm to 60cm. Drainage matters more than depth: plant into soil improved with compost and leaf litter, or a free draining potting mix with some orchid bark added. Set the crown level with or slightly above the surface, never buried. To mount one on a tree, pack sphagnum moss or coir around the roots and tie it firmly in a fork until the roots take hold.

Care basics

Keep the mix moist but not sodden. Outdoors in warm, humid weather, rain and a hose over the whole plant are fine. Indoors and in cool weather, water the soil around the edge of the plant and keep the nest dry, because water sitting in the centre can rot the crown. Feed monthly in the warm months with a liquid fertiliser at half strength. Remove old outer fronds at the base as they brown. Check the undersides for scale and wipe or spray with a horticultural oil if it appears. More on light and humidity is in our guide to growing ferns in Australia.

Common questions

Can birds nest ferns take full sun?

No. Morning sun or dappled light is fine, but direct midday and afternoon sun yellows and scorches the fronds.

What are the brown lines under the fronds?

Those are spore cases, the way a mature fern reproduces. Neat parallel brown lines on the underside are normal and not a pest.

Why are the frond tips going brown?

Dry air, dry soil or too much sun are the usual causes. Water more evenly and move the plant away from heaters, vents and direct sun.

Can I grow a birds nest fern on a tree?

Yes. They are natural epiphytes. Tie one into a fork with moss around the roots, keep it watered, and it will anchor itself.