Identify My New Plant, Please-Bird’s Nest Fern

Hi Mary,

Your plant is a type of Bird’s Nest Fern. Leaf tips turn brown from lack of humidity, too much plant food, using water that has too many chemicals like fluoride and chlorine in it, or using water that has passed through a softener (too salty).

Fertilize once or twice in the spring and summer, when the fern is actively growing. Over-fertilization causes more problems for a Bird’s Nest Fern than never fertilizing at all. Use a balanced plant food diluted to 1/2 the recommended strength.

High humidity is essential. The higher the humidity the longer the fronds grow, indoors this can be up to 18” and outdoors 3ft-4ft. Lack of humidity causes major problems: the entire leaf may turn yellow, the tips of the leaves may turn brown, and the plant may stop growing. If the humidity in your home is too low, consider putting your fern on a wet pebble tray, be sure the plant is sitting on pebbles and not in the water.

Never use water that has passed through a water softener. If your household water contains a lot of chemicals, allow it to sit out over night before using it.

You can read all my care tips for a Bird’s Nest Fern in the Popular Houseplant section of the website.

https://www.houseplant411.com/houseplant/birds-nest-fern-how-to-grow-care-for-birds-nest-fern