Birds Nest Fern

Birds Nest Fern 'Crissie' (Asplenium nidus 'Crissie') is the crested form of the classic bird's nest fern, with glossy bright green fronds that split into fingers at the tips. It forms a rosette about 80cm tall and 90cm across, so it fills a corner properly. It is also non toxic to cats and dogs, which makes it one of the safer large indoor plants.

Why you'll love it

• Fronds that fork at the tips. The crested ends give a looser, more sculptural outline than the plain bird's nest fern.
• Safe around pets. Not toxic to cats or dogs, so it can sit at floor level in a home where the animals chew leaves.
• Real presence indoors. At around 80cm by 90cm it holds a corner on its own, without needing a group.
• It likes the rooms other plants dislike. Bathrooms and shaded courtyards suit it: it wants humidity and indirect light.

Where it works best

Indoors. The main use. Set it in bright indirect light, away from a hot window and from air conditioning vents, which dry the fronds faster than anything else.

Pots, balconies and courtyards. Outdoors in a frost free garden it does well in a shaded courtyard or under a covered balcony, in a pot 300mm or wider.

Feature planting in shade. In tropical and subtropical gardens it can go straight into the ground under a canopy, where the fresh green reads brightly against darker foliage.

Growing Birds Nest Fern in Australia

Position and climate. Bright indirect light or dappled shade. Direct sun scorches the fronds. Outdoors it suits tropical, subtropical and warm temperate gardens only, because it is frost tender. In cooler districts, treat it as an indoor plant.

Soil. A free draining mix with plenty of organic matter, or an orchid and fern blend in a pot. In the ground, plant into leaf litter rich soil under a canopy and never let it sit waterlogged.

Water and feed. Keep the mix consistently moist but never soggy, watering when the top few centimetres dry out. Water around the plant, not into the central nest, where trapped water rots the crown. Feed a half strength liquid fertiliser monthly in spring and summer.

Pruning. Cut damaged fronds off at the base with clean secateurs. Do not trim a frond partway, because the cut edge browns and will not regrow a tip.

What to expect when it arrives

It is grown in two sizes: 140mm plants in a pack of ten, and 200mm plants in a pack of six. The 140mm plants are young rosettes, ideal for a set of matching indoor pots or a shaded understorey. The 200mm plants read as a finished plant sooner.

Ferns are the most transit sensitive plants we send, so expect some frond edges to mark. That is cosmetic and grows out. Unpack the plant straight away, water it, and give it a fortnight somewhere humid and shaded before you judge it. Delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Every plant is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• Getting the environment right for ferns
• Browse ferns for shady areas
• Compare other pet friendly indoor plants

Common questions

Is it safe for cats and dogs?

Yes. Asplenium ferns are not toxic to cats or dogs, so this is a sound choice for a floor level plant in a home with pets.

Why are the frond tips turning brown?

Usually dry air, or water sitting on the fronds in a draught. Move it away from heating and cooling vents, group it with other plants, and keep the mix evenly moist rather than swinging between wet and dry.

How much light does it need indoors?

Bright indirect light gives the best growth. It tolerates a shaded room but grows slowly there, and direct sun through glass will burn the fronds within days.

Should I water into the centre of the rosette?

No. Water the mix around the base instead. Water held in the nest rots the crown, the most common way these ferns are lost indoors.