Asplenium nidus ‘Osaka’
Japanese Bird's Nest Fern
From: £9.95
Known commonly as a bird’s nest fern, the Asplenium nidus is renowned for its handsome bright green leaves neatly arranged in a spectacular spreading rosette.
The ‘Osaka’ cultivar is a compact variety of the species, which features the attractive ruffling at the edges of its leaves.
Order today for shipping on Tuesday 12th December.
Plant Biography
Native to parts of South East Asia, East Africa and Australasia, Asplenium nidus is an epiphytic fern – in the wild it roots itself to tree crevices, often of palm trees, hence the source of its common name: the bird’s nest fern.
The shape of its spectacular leaf-rosette is crucial to its survival in the wild as it’s used to collect both water and organic matter, essential as the plant often isn’t rooted into soil.
This fern is epiphytic, meaning it grows on the trunk and in crevices of trees, but despite its origins it also thrives as a terrestrial plant planted in soil, like this one.
Expert Tip
Care & Size Guidance
Ideally, Asplenium nidus ‘Osaka’ is suited to a warm, humid spot in moderate indirect light.
Water the soil when the surface has slightly dried out, but avoid watering into the centre of the rosette as this can cause rot. Rotate to ensure even growth and form, and improve humidity if the edges of the leaves have turned brown. Any damaged or dead fronds may be carefully removed as needed
This is a slow growing plant but with correct care it can eventually reach a height and spread of up to 1m in maturity.
An update of my previous review: I have had my fern for two weeks now and it appears healthy and happy, with new growth visible from the centre. However, as the roots are poking out of the drainage holes considerably, I decided to see whether the plant was excessively rootbound. Unfortunately, it turns out the roots are circling the pot to a greater degree than I have EVER seen in any of my plants. I am very disappointed to discover this in a plant which has come directly from a nursery. The soil is currently too wet to remove from the huge mass of tangled roots, but hopefully it’ll soon dry up enough for me to untangle everything and repot the plant. Again, very annoying, as I ordered a planter from this website to accommodate the 12cm nursery pot.
Georgia –
Absolutely beautiful plant in great condition, but sadly the roots are coming out of the draining holes and so it’ll already need repotting – not what I expected from a specialist plant website. Happy overall though.
Georgia –