How to Grow and Care for Spleenworts

Japanese Bird's Nest Fern (Asplenium antiquum) is a decorative fern that will grow from 61 to 91 cm tall in optimum growing conditions. It prefers shade to filtered sun and should be grown indoors or in a covered patio area. A humidity-loving plant, it prefers moist but not wet soil. Native to Asia, it is commonly found growing on tree trunks.

Mother spleenwort is a tropical fern that reproduces primarily by spores and has neither flowers nor fruit. It can only be found in New Zealand's wild areas, where it thrives in abundance. The fronds are eaten as a vegetable by the Maori people of New Zealand.

Bird's-nest fern (Asplenium nidus) is a fern species native to tropical Southeast Asia. The common name bird's-nest fern refers to the plant's central rosette where the fern's fronds unfurl. This part of the plant resembles miniature bird eggs.

Hart's-tongue fern (Asplenium scolopendrium) is a non-flowering fern that can grow to be 30 to 61 cm tall. It is an evergreen plant with bright-green, leathery, tongue-shaped fronds that grow from 30 to 46 cm long. It prefers medium moisture in well-drained soil. It grows well in a location with partial to full shade. This species has no insect or disease problems, but is susceptible to root rot in poorly-drained soils.

Maidenhair spleenwort (Asplenium trichomanes) is a miniature fern that forms a rosette of long, slender fronds with black stems and green leaves. Easy to grow, low maintenance. It prefers partial to full shade in fertile, moist but well-drained soil. Virtually pest and disease free.