In this guide, we’re going to cover some soil basics and information that will help you choose the best soil mix for your Bird Nest Ferns (Asplenium nidus). These plants are incredibly popular indoors and outdoors, with shiny crinkled fronds that set them apart from the more traditional ferns. Whilst Asplenium nidus needs specific light conditions and occasional fertilizing to thrive, they are generally easy to care for when grown in the right conditions – the most important of which is soil.
- The Best Soil for Bird’s Nest Ferns – the Essentials:
- Why Soil Choice Matters
- What Are the Primary Components Used in a Potting Soil Mix?
- Common Signs You’re Using the Wrong Soil Mix for Bird’s Nest Ferns
- The Importance of Well-Draining Potting Soil for Bird’s Nest Ferns
- What pH Levels in the Soil Are Best Suited to Bird’s Nest Ferns?
- The Ultimate Bird’s Nest Fern Potting Mix Home Recipe
- The Best Pre-Mixed Soils for Bird’s Nest Ferns
- Soil Mix for Bird’s Nest Ferns FAQs:
- Final Thoughts
The Best Soil for Bird’s Nest Ferns – the Essentials:
Bird’s Nest Ferns are epiphytic, typically found growing on trees in their natural habitats. This means they require loose, well-draining soil rich in organic matter. As epiphytes, orchid soil mix is suitable for these plants, as well as regular potting soils amended with plenty of bark or perlite to improve aeration. A pH between 5.0 and 5.5 is ideal.
Why Soil Choice Matters
A proper soil base is the foundation of good plant health and an essential consideration for all types of ferns. It is the vehicle for root growth and the transport of essential water and nutrients to all parts of the plant. It also allows oxygen to reach the roots, preventing the plant from effectively suffocating.
There are several soil types, each defined by the sizes of the particles in the soil. Clay soil consists of very small particles packed together with little space between them. Sandy soil has the largest particles on the other end of the spectrum, and silt falls somewhere in between. The ideal soil type is a mixture of all three types, known as loam.
Soil type also influences pH levels. Peat-based soils have a lower pH of around 4.5 and are packed with organic matter. Chalky soils are alkaline, with a pH above 7. They contain calcium carbonate and typically large particles, making them drain well and dry out quickly.
When growing plants in containers, you control the soil environment completely, making your choice of components and structure vital in keeping your plant alive. This control allows you to create a soil mix perfectly suited to your plant’s needs.
All the good soil characteristics – such as aeration, nutrient density, or pH levels – can be tweaked and adjusted to ensure your Asplenium nidus grows in the ideal environment.
What Are the Primary Components Used in a Potting Soil Mix?
Potting mixes are designed to be lightweight, airy, and well-draining to suit the conditions in pots. Several components are combined to create these conditions and can be adjusted according to the plant’s needs.
Some components of potting soil include:
- Organic matter/compost: Decomposed organic materials like plant debris or animal matter add essential nutrients and microorganisms to the soil while improving moisture retention.
- Sphagnum peat moss: Light and airy material harvested from bogs improves drainage, retains moisture, and lowers pH.
- Coco Coir: A sustainable alternative to peat moss made from processed coconut fibers. It can retain up to 10 times its weight in water and improves aeration and drainage.
- Vermiculite: Expanded aluminum-iron magnesium silicate mineral that retains moisture and aerates the soil.
- Bark: A processed wood product that significantly increases the spaces between soil particles, delivering oxygen to the roots and improving drainage.
- Pumice: Mined volcanic rock particles that lighten the soil while improving drainage and retaining some moisture.
- Perlite: Heated and expanded volcanic rock similar to pumice but lighter in weight. It also increases drainage and aeration while decreasing the weight of the soil in large containers.
- Sand: Typically collected from rivers, sand improves the drainage of clay soils and is ideal for succulent or cactus mixes.
Common Signs You’re Using the Wrong Soil Mix for Bird’s Nest Ferns
Your Asplenium nidus will display signs of struggle when planted in the wrong soil mix. These usually relate to the moisture levels in the soil but can also indicate a nutrient imbalance.
Yellowing leaves are the most common sign of a soil issue. If the whole frond turns yellow and drooping, there is likely too much moisture in the soil. A lighter mix that drains better and has more space between the soil particles will resolve the issue.
On the other hand, excessively low moisture content can also signal a problem. As epiphytes, overwatering is a more common problem than underwatering, but soil that dries out too quickly and doesn’t hold any moisture can also cause yellowing leaves.
In this case, the problem usually begins at the edges of the frond, slowly moving inwards and turning brown over time. Add a moisture-retaining material to the soil to improve consistency. Slow or stunted growth are additional signs to keep an eye on. To deal with past-prime or decaying foliage, consider pruning your bird’s nest fern as well.
The Importance of Well-Draining Potting Soil for Bird’s Nest Ferns
Well-draining soil is vital for any plant in a pot or container (including freshly propagated plants). But, when it comes to Bird’s Nest Ferns, drainage is even more essential. As epiphytes, they are not like other houseplant ferns that need consistently moist soil to thrive.
These ferns grow on tree trunks or amongst rocks in their natural habitats and not in regular soil. The aerial roots are not exposed to water for very long, so the plant draws moisture from the air to sustain itself.
If your soil mix is not well-draining, these plants will quickly succumb to root rot. They need plenty of oxygen to the roots and absolutely no standing water to thrive.
What pH Levels in the Soil Are Best Suited to Bird’s Nest Ferns?
Asplenium nidus prefers acidic soil with a pH between 5.0 and 5.5, but anything below a pH of 6 is suitable. Soil pH can be determined with a pH test kit. Amend with peat moss or bark if the pH is too high.
The Ultimate Bird’s Nest Fern Potting Mix Home Recipe
To make your own Asplenium nidus potting mix at home, you’ll need a balanced combination of light, well-draining materials to provide the right conditions. Mix these components together for the perfect soil consistency:
- 2 parts peat moss
- 1 part bark
- 1 part perlite
This mix drains well enough to prevent root rot while retaining enough moisture to sustain growth. Coconut coir is often used to replace peat moss, but in this case, coconut coir is not ideal as it does not have a low enough pH to provide the perfect environment for growth.
Alternatively, you can choose to skip the soil altogether and attach your Bird’s Nest Fern to a piece of wood. This eliminates any soil worries but does require some extra care to keep the plant happy.
The Best Pre-Mixed Soils for Bird’s Nest Ferns
If you don’t want to go to the trouble of mixing your own soil or don’t have some of the components available, you can purchase a specialized mix suitable for your Bird’s Nest Fern. Look for any well-draining epiphyte mix, such as orchid or bromeliad mix, for the best match.
These options are suitable for any potted Asplenium nidus:
- Bloomscape Potting Soil
- Miracle-Gro Orchid Potting Mix
- Sprig & Stone Bromeliad Soil
- Fernwood Orchid Growing Medium
(Editors Note: Petal Republic participates in partnership programs with Amazon and other merchants to help connect readers with relevant products and services we may recommend).
Soil Mix for Bird’s Nest Ferns FAQs:
How often should I switch soil for my Bird’s Nest Fern?
Bird’s Nest Ferns only require repotting every two to three years or when the plant outgrows its current pot. If the soil becomes too compacted or stops draining well, refresh the soil with additional perlite and bark.
Can I use cactus soil for Bird’s Nest Ferns?
Cactus or succulent soil mixes are designed to drain very well, making them suitable for Bird’s Nest Ferns. However, they will need to be amended with bark or perlite to increase aeration. Epiphytes need more air around the roots and large spaces between the soil particles, which cactus soil does not typically provide.
Do Bird’s Nest Ferns like wet or dry soil?
Unlike most ferns, Asplenium nidus prefers dry soil over wet soil. The roots cannot sit in water for long periods, or they will experience rot.
What are the primary considerations for soil when repotting Bird’s Nest Ferns?
The essential characteristic of the new soil when repotting a Bird’s Nest Fern is drainage. If your plant has been growing happily in the same soil for a few years, try replicating those soil conditions using the same components in the new pot. This will prevent transplant shock and growth issues later on.
Does the size of the plant affect the soil mix for Bird’s Nest Ferns?
The soil mix will remain the same for all Bird’s Nest Ferns. However, smaller pots will drain faster than larger ones, requiring more frequent watering.
Does the potting container influence the type of soil mix for Bird’s Nest Ferns?
Pots with better drainage can partially make up for soil mixes that don’t drain well enough. Drainage holes are essential, but the materials used can also have an impact. Terracotta pots will draw moisture away from the soil, lessening the risk of root rot. Fabric pots drain even faster, with excess moisture leaving all sides of the pot rather than just the bottom.
Do Bird’s Nest Ferns need deep potting containers?
The root systems are quite shallow, especially in young plants. A deep container is not required, but it should be large enough to accommodate the plant’s width without toppling over.
Final Thoughts
Bird’s Nest Ferns are great plants for beginners in fern care. They aren’t as fussy about moisture and humidity and need a lot less attention to thrive. However, they do need the right soil foundations to sustain this ease of care. Plant your Asplenium nidus in well-draining, airy soil with an acidic pH for the best results.
For more, see our in-depth guide to the meaning and symbolism of ferns.
Madison is a writer and editor with a Bachelor’s degree in History and Political Science. She writes and photographs for various online and print publications in the gardening sphere and is the author of the book The Next-Generation Gardener.
