Bird’s nest ferns are a popular indoor plant known for their charming rosette shape and arching fronds. While they make attractive houseplants, bird’s nest ferns do require specific care when it comes to sunlight. Understanding how much light these plants need is key to keeping them healthy and thriving.
Quick Answer
Bird’s nest ferns prefer bright, indirect sunlight. They should be placed in a spot that receives a few hours of filtered sunlight per day, but avoid harsh direct light which can scorch their delicate fronds. East or west-facing windows are ideal for bird’s nest ferns.
Ideal Light Conditions for Bird’s Nest Ferns
In their native tropical habitats, bird’s nest ferns grow on the forest floor sheltered by the canopy above. This means they are adapted to shady, dappled light conditions. When grown as houseplants, bird’s nest ferns do best with the following light requirements:
- Bright, indirect light – Bird’s nest ferns need some sun exposure to photosynthesize and grow properly, but direct hot sun will damage their foliage. Place them near an east or west-facing window where they will get a few hours of gentle, filtered morning or afternoon sun.
- Avoid direct sunlight – The fronds of bird’s nest ferns can get scorched if they receive too much intense sunlight. Keep them out of south-facing windows or far away from any windows with direct sun exposure.
- Provide shade – If your bird’s nest fern is getting too much light, add a sheer curtain to diffuse the sunlight or move it farther away from the window. The leaves will show signs of stress like yellowing or crisping if it’s receiving too much bright light.
Signs Your Bird’s Nest Fern Needs More Sunlight
It’s important to pay attention to your bird’s nest fern’s growth habits and make adjustments to ensure it’s getting adequate sunlight. Here are a few signs that your plant needs more light:
- Slow growth – Minimal new frond growth indicates the plant is not photosynthesizing efficiently due to insufficient light.
- Small new fronds – Along with slow growth, new fronds may be smaller in size when deprived of proper sunlight.
- Leggy growth – The plant stems elongate and become spindly as they reach for light.
- Fading color – Leaves turn from a vibrant green to pale or yellowish green without enough light exposure.
If you notice any of these signs, try moving your bird’s nest fern to a spot with brighter, indirect light. Turning the plant frequently can also ensure all sides get adequate sunlight. You should see improved growth within a few weeks as it acclimates to the new location.
Signs Your Bird’s Nest Fern is Getting Too Much Sun
While bird’s nest ferns need sun for photosynthesis, too much direct light can stress the plant. Look for these cues that indicate your plant is getting more sun than it prefers:
- Browning edges – The margins of the fronds turn brown and crispy from sun scorch.
- Dry, curled fronds – Fronds shrivel and curl inward to prevent excess water loss in the hot sunlight.
- Bleached color – Too much light washes out the vibrant green color to a pale yellowish-green.
- Sunburned patches – Distinct bleached spots appear on leaves where sunlight was most intense.
If you notice any signs of sunburn, immediately move your bird’s nest fern to a shadier location. Add a sheer curtain to diffuse the sunlight or provide shade with taller plants. The plant should recover once it’s getting the right amount of indirect light.
Ideal Times of Day for Sun Exposure
Not only is the intensity of light important for bird’s nest ferns, but also the timing. Here are the best times of day to provide sun exposure:
- Early morning light – The gentler morning sun is ideal for bird’s nest ferns. Place them in an east-facing window where they’ll get indirect sun first thing in the morning.
- Late afternoon light – For west-facing windows, allow bird’s nest ferns to get dappled afternoon sunlight.
- Avoid mid-day sun – The intense midday sun should be avoided. Draw sheer curtains over south or west-facing windows to filter the harshest direct sunlight.
Remember that the amount of light coming through a window can vary depending on the time of year. Keep an eye on the positioning of the sun throughout the seasons and adjust your bird’s nest fern accordingly to ensure it never gets too much harsh sunlight.
Using Artificial Lighting for Bird’s Nest Ferns
If natural light in your home is insufficient, you can supplement with artificial plant lights. Here are some tips for using grow lights for your bird’s nest fern:
- Use broad spectrum LED lights – Select full spectrum LED grow lights that provide a balanced wavelength for photosynthesis.
- Position 6-12 inches above the plant – Keep the lights suspended above the bird’s nest fern to prevent overheating the foliage.
- Provide 14-16 hours daily – Mimic the natural day-night cycle by keeping the grow lights on for 14-16 hours per day.
- Adjust light intensity – Use a timer, dimmer, or adjust distance to control the light brightness as needed.
Grow lights can be very helpful for keeping a bird’s nest fern healthy when natural light is limited. Just be careful not to overdo the intensity which can shock the plant.
Ideal Humidity for Bird’s Nest Ferns
In addition to proper sunlight, bird’s nest ferns also appreciate humid conditions. Here are some tips for providing ideal humidity:
- 40-60% humidity is ideal – This mimics the tropical understory humidity bird’s nest ferns thrive in.
- Group plants together – Increase local humidity by clustering multiple plants in one spot.
- Use a humidifier – Run a humidifier nearby to maintain consistent humidity in the room.
- Set pots on pebble trays – Place pots on beds of pebbles with water to create evaporation.
- Mist frequently – Misting the fronds daily or every few days boosts moisture levels around the plant.
Higher humidity helps bird’s nest ferns grow lush, vibrant fronds. Monitor moisture in the air and make adjustments as needed to provide an ideal environment.
Ideal Temperature Range for Bird’s Nest Ferns
Bird’s nest ferns prefer warm temperatures between 60-80°F (15-26°C). Here are some tips for keeping your bird’s nest fern at the right temperature:
- Keep away from cold drafty areas – Avoid placing bird’s nest ferns near drafty windows, doors, or air vents.
- Use water to stabilize temperature – The evaporating moisture from humidifiers or pebble trays helps regulate temperature.
- Move to warmer rooms in winter – Relocate bird’s nest ferns to warmer rooms during cold months.
- Provide heating sources – Use space heaters, heating pads, or grow lights to maintain temperatures above 60°F.
- Avoid extreme heat – Just as cold is problematic, excessive heat over 80°F can also damage bird’s nest ferns.
Monitor both daytime and nighttime temperatures to ensure they remain in the ideal range for bird’s nest ferns year round.
Potting Medium Recommendations
Use a well-draining potting mix for planting bird’s nest ferns. Here are some recommended potting media:
- Peat or coconut coir based mix – Retains moisture but allows excess water to drain.
- Orchid potting mixes – Formulated for epiphytes, with excellent drainage.
- Mix in perlite or bark chips – Improves aeration and drainage of standard potting soil.
- Avoid 100% soil or compost – Can get too dense and hold too much moisture.
Make sure any potting mix provides an airy medium that won’t get overly soggy or waterlogged when irrigating your bird’s nest fern.
Watering Techniques and Frequency
Bird’s nest ferns should be watered thoroughly when the top of the potting mix becomes partly dry. Here are some tips for proper watering practices:
- Water when partially dry – Check the potting mix with your finger and water when the top inch is partly dry.
- Water thoroughly until it drains – Pour enough water so it runs through the drainage holes to flush out salts.
- Avoid waterlogged soil – Don’t allow pots to sit in saucers of water, which can lead to rotting roots.
- Increase frequency in summer – Hotter months require more frequent watering, such as every 4-5 days.
- Decrease frequency in winter – In cool months allow soil to dry out further between waterings.
Proper irrigation is key to keeping bird’s nest ferns happy and healthy. Always water until it drains from the pot and never allow plants to sit in stagnant water.
Fertilizer Recommendations
Use a balanced houseplant fertilizer to support bird’s nest fern growth. Here are some tips for fertilizing bird’s nest ferns:
- Use fertilizer year round – Feed regularly through the growing season and at lower frequency in winter.
- Look for balanced formula – Select fertilizer with equal nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium.
- Dilute to half-strength – Use 50% of the recommended dosage to avoid fertilizer burn.
- Fertilize monthly in spring and summer – Increase to a weekly or biweekly regimen during peak growing periods.
- Reduce frequency in fall and winter – Cut back to every 6-8 weeks during cooler months when growth slows.
With a proper fertilization regimen, you can keep your bird’s nest fern vibrant and encourage lush new frond growth.
Grooming and Pruning Care
Occasional grooming and pruning keeps bird’s nest ferns looking their best. Here are some care tips:
- Remove spent fronds – Cut off any yellow or brown fronds at the base to keep the plant neat.
- Prune damaged areas – Use sterilized scissors to trim off any crispy or ragged portions of fronds.
- Dust foliage – Wipe leaves with a damp cloth periodically to remove dust buildup.
- Mist regularly – Misting helps rinse off dust while simultaneously increasing humidity.
- Turn the plant – Rotate the pot periodically to ensure even light exposure and growth.
With careful grooming and pruning, you can maintain your bird’s nest fern’s attractive form year after year.
Signs of Healthy Bird’s Nest Ferns
Here are some signs your bird’s nest fern is thriving with proper care:
- Shiny green fronds – Leaves will be glossy and vibrant without any yellowing.
- Upright frond growth – New fronds stand upright rather than drooping down.
- New frond development – You’ll see the plant consistently producing new growth from the center.
- Minimal leaf drop – Healthy bird’s nest ferns should hold onto their foliage rather than shedding excessively.
- Compact rosette – Fronds remain tightly nestled together in a rosette, rather than becoming sparse or stretched out.
With the right amount of bright, indirect light, humidity, water, and care, bird’s nest ferns will thrive and add charming tropical appeal to your home.
Common Issues With Bird’s Nest Ferns
Here are some common problems you may encounter and how to fix them:
Browning or Yellowing Fronds
This can be caused by too much sunlight, low humidity, overwatering, or insufficient watering. Adjust conditions to match its preferences and cut off any unsightly fronds.
Dry, Crispy Fronds
Dry air and insufficient watering commonly cause this. Increase humidity with misting or a pebble tray and water more frequently.
Leaf Drop
If many fronds are falling off, it is often due to overwatering, low light, or cooler temperatures. Address any care issues and prune off bare stems.
Slow Growth
This indicates inadequate sunlight, fertilizer, or temperatures that are too cool. Increase sunlight exposure, fertilize regularly, and move to a warmer spot.
Leggy Growth
When fronds become spaced apart, it is reaching for light. Provide brighter (but indirect) sunlight to encourage compact growth.
Toxicity of Bird’s Nest Ferns
Bird’s nest ferns are non-toxic and pet-friendly. They can safely be kept in homes with children and pets without concern of poisoning. The ASPCA lists bird’s nest ferns as non-toxic for dogs, cats, and horses.
Companion Plants for Bird’s Nest Ferns
Group bird’s nest ferns with compatible shade-loving plants. Some excellent companions include:
- Prayer plants
- Parsley
- Peperomias
- Philodendron
- Arrowhead vines
- Nerve plants
Clustering bird’s nest ferns with other shade plants creates an attractive tropical-themed display in your home.
Converting a Bird’s Nest Fern to a Mounted Plant
Bird’s nest ferns can also be grown as mounted epiphytes attached to wood or tree fern plaques. Follow these tips to mount your fern:
- Select a moisture-resistant mount material like orchid wood or natural wood plaque.
- Use sphagnum moss secured with fishing line to attach fern to mount.
- Keep mounted fern in a humid environment like a terrarium or greenhouse case.
- Water more frequently, avoiding drying out between waterings.
- Fertilize weekly with diluted liquid fertilizer.
With proper care, bird’s nest ferns will adapt well to growing as mounted specimens. The added humidity helps support their tropical preferences.
Bird’s Nest Ferns as Terrarium Plants
The high humidity and indirect light of a terrarium provides an ideal environment for bird’s nest ferns. Follow these tips for growing bird’s nest ferns in terrariums:
- Choose large, well-sealed terrariums – At least 12-18 inches tall to allow room for frond growth.
- Provide filtration and airflow – Use screens and small fans to prevent overly stagnant air.
- Use shallow pots – Plant in wide, shallow containers to prevent overwatering.
- Provide 70-80% humidity – Use hygrometers to monitor humidity and adjust as needed.
- Limit watering frequency – The enclosed environment decreases watering needs.
With proper set up and care, bird’s nest ferns will thrive under terrarium conditions.
Key Takeaways
- Bird’s nest ferns need bright, indirect sunlight for about 4 hours daily from an east or west-facing window.
- Avoid direct hot sunlight which can scorch the delicate fronds.
- Supplement with grow lights if needed to provide 14-16 hours of daily light.
- Ideal temperatures are 60-80°F with high humidity around 40-60%.
- Water thoroughly when the top of the soil becomes partly dry.
- Use a balanced fertilizer at diluted strength to encourage new growth.
- Prune off any dead or damaged fronds to maintain an attractive form.
- Monitor for signs of stress like browning, yellowing, or excessive leaf drop.
- Group with other low-light plants for an appealing display.
With proper care tailored to their subtropical origins, bird’s nest ferns make easy-to-grow houseplants. Their cascading green fronds add lush, tropical appeal to any indoor space. Pay close attention to their light, humidity, temperature, and watering needs to help them thrive indoors.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are the fronds of my bird’s nest fern turning brown?
Brown fronds are usually caused by too much sunlight, low humidity, insufficient watering, or overwatering. Adjust care to provide brighter indirect light, increase humidity, and improve watering practices.
Should I mist my bird’s nest fern?
Yes, frequent misting is beneficial for bird’s nest ferns. The added humidity provided by misting mimics the tropical environments they naturally grow in. Just be sure to provide adequate air circulation and ventilation to prevent fungal diseases.
How big do bird’s nest ferns grow?
Indoors, bird’s nest ferns typically reach 1-2 feet tall and wide. Their fronds can grow 12-18 inches long. Growth rate and maximum size depends on the specific variety, light conditions, and care.
Should I prune my bird’s nest fern?
Occasional pruning is recommended to maintain an attractive shape. Use sterilized scissors to trim off any dead, damaged, or discolored fronds. This encourages new growth and a compact rosette form.
Can I grow a bird’s nest fern outside?
Bird’s nest ferns require warm, humid conditions and cannot tolerate frost. They can be grown outside year-round in USDA zones 10-11 only. In cooler climates, they must be kept as houseplants or moved indoors during winter.