Asplenium

Asplenium nidus

Bird's-nest Fern

Asplenium nidus is a tropical epiphyte or lithophyte from the humid forests of Southeast Asia and the Pacific, growing in the crooks of trees and on rock rather than in soil. It wants a loose, free-draining mix that stays evenly moist but never sodden, since its perched roots rot if left wet. Water when the top inch of mix has dried, and pour around the rim rather than into the central rosette, which can collect water and decay.

Asplenium scolopendrium

Hart's-tongue Fern

Hart's tongue fern is a rhizomatous, evergreen fern of cool, shaded limestone woodlands and rocky crevices across temperate Europe, North Africa, and East Asia. It wants steady, even moisture without sitting wet, so water when the top half-inch of mix begins to feel dry and keep it out of direct sun, which scorches its strap-like fronds. Give it bright shade and dependable humidity to mirror its damp, sheltered native haunts.

Asplenium trichomanes

Maidenhair Spleenwort

Asplenium trichomanes is the maidenhair spleenwort, a small fern that grows on rocks and crevices across temperate East Asia, where its roots cling to gritty, fast-draining surfaces rather than sitting in soil. It wants a sharply drained, mineral mix and steady moisture without saturation; water when the top of the mix is approaching dry but before it fully dries out, and never leave the crown standing wet. As a lithophyte from cool, shaded, humid niches it prefers indirect light, good airflow, and elevated humidity.

Asplenium antiquum

Bird’s-nest Fern

Asplenium antiquum is a bird's-nest fern from the warm forests of East Asia, growing as an epiphyte or ground perennial in shaded, humid conditions. As an epiphyte it drains fast and resents sitting wet, so water when the top inch of mix is dry, keeping the central rosette free of standing water. It wants bright indirect light and high humidity, never direct sun.

Asplenium australasicum

Bird's Nest Fern

Asplenium australasicum is a bird's nest fern that grows as an epiphyte across the tropical Pacific and warm coasts of Australasia, perching in tree forks rather than rooting in soil. It wants warmth, ample humidity, and bright indirect light filtered through a canopy, never direct sun. Water into the loose, fast-draining mix when the top inch is approaching dry, pouring at the base rather than into the central rosette, which can rot if left wet.