Asplenium nidus 'Crispy Wave', a small curly fern

Asplenium nidus 'Crispy Wave' belongs to the Aspleniaceae family. But it doesn't grow in the tropical forests of Africa, Asia or Australia. This Bird's nest fern is a cultivar, an artificially bred variety.

How to recognize the bird's nest fern Asplenium nidus 'Crispy Wave'?

A compact fern with a bushy habit, Asplenium nidus 'Crispy Wave' is 25 cm high and 20 cm wide.

The 'Crispy Wave' bird's nest fern has no stem. Foliage grows in rosettes from a black, hairy center.

The fronds are born coiled and spiral-shaped. Once unfurled, they reveal their yellow-green color and purple midrib on the reverse. The most striking feature, however, is the highly undulating, sinuous margins. The rigid leaf blade gives the impression of being curled, almost like a salad leaf.

When the plant is mature enough, sporangia appear on the underside of the fronds. They are brown, extending horizontally from the main vein in regular, parallel lines.

Asplenium nidus 'Crispy Wave' is non-toxic. Although it is grown here as an ornamental plant, its ancestor was used by the Greeks to treat the spleen and liver. Botanical Asplenium nidus was also eaten by the earliest inhabitants of Taiwan. The bird's nest fern now features on the menu of some restaurants on the island and in New Caledonia.

Our maintenance tips

Asplenium nidus 'Crispy Wave love humidity and hate direct sunlight. If your bathroom has a window, it's the ideal place to watch your fern flourish.

Watering

Asplenium nidus 'Crispy Wave like to keep the soil always moist. Don't wait for the substrate to dry before getting out your watering can. Water without soaking to keep the soil wet.

Use non-calcareous water at room temperature, preferably rainwater. Be careful not to wet the heart of the plant, which is sensitive to rot.

Don't forget to empty the water that stagnates in the saucer or pot cover. It could kill the roots.

Spray

To increase humidity, mist the leaves at asplenium nidus 'Crispy Wave with rainwater or demineralized water. Do not use tap water. Too hard, it leaves marks on the foliage.

Repotting

In spring, transfer your Asplenium nidus 'Crispy Wave' to a larger pot, so that it can continue to grow.

Choose a pierced plastic pot two to five centimetres larger than the previous one. This material has the advantage of retaining moisture and is suitable for the requirements of your Asplenium nidus 'Crispy Wave. Place a drainage layer (gravel, clay balls, pozzolan, etc.) at the bottom.

Fill the pot with a light, neutral substrate. For example, you can mix houseplant potting soil, peat or dried leaves and sand. You can also add charcoal to prevent fungus growth. Plant your specimen in the center. Add substrate, tamp down and water for the first time to help the plant take root.

To increase humidity, place your pot on a dish filled with moist clay balls.

Fertilization

You can stimulate the development of your plant during its growth phase, in spring and summer, with fertilizer.

Apply a liquid green plant fertilizer to support growth. Your fern doesn't need much. Halve the manufacturer's recommended dose.

Cleaning

Photosynthesis is slowed down by dust accumulating on the leaves. To help your Asplenium nidus 'Crispy Wave make the most of its exposure, clean the foliage with a clean, damp cloth.

Dusting also helps prevent pest attacks.

Disease / Threat

Mealybugs

Information

Family	Aspleniaceae - Aspleniaceae
Type	Doradilla - Asplenium
Species	Bird's nest fern - Asplenium nidus
Lifecycle	Perennial
Foliage	Evergreen
Exposures	Half-shade Shade
Substrats	Clay soil Humus soil Sandy soil
Planting methods	In pots In tubs
Categories	Interior Rhizome Herbaceous
Tags	Fritillary Soiffarde
Origins	South Africa Southeast Asia Australia
Hardiness (USDA)	11b
Leaf color