The Birds Nest Fern is native to several warmer climate countries including Australia. It's Botanical name is Asplenium nidus, and there are several species including one with forked fronds. This plant is an Epiphyte in it's natural habitat, meaning that spores ( like small seeds ) lodge and germinate in places like the forks of trees that offer good support, where they grow, and the rosette of fronds collect falling leaves, birds droppings, dead insects etc and these provide nutrients for the plant. Natural rainfall provides water and helps decay the leaves that the plant collects. Birds Nest Ferns also grow happily in garden soil as long as it is kept moist ,shaded from the hot sun and preferably high humidity. Young plants will grow in suitable spots by themselves.
Birds Nest Ferns are suitable for pots and can be grown indoors or outdoors where they add a tropical feel to a garden. Allow a bit of space for this plant, as they grow quite large, having fronds up to 2 metres long. They are best suited to cool temperate, temperate and warmer climates and are common around Sydney gardens, where i took these photos.
