Most ferns are finely cut and feathery. This one is not. The bird’s nest fern pushes out broad undivided fronds with a dark midrib and a rippled edge, arranged in a rosette that opens from the center like a nest. It looks less like a fern and more like something from a reef.

Fern and moss is the oldest pairing in this craft, and it is still the one that makes the most sense. Both want the same shade, both want the same damp, and the moss ball holds moisture the way a forest floor does. Everything else we make is a plant placed on moss. This is two things that already grew together.

New fronds unfurl from the middle of the crown, tightly curled, and open outward over a week or two. It is worth watching for.

Details

• Bird’s nest fern (Asplenium nidus)
• Category: Fern
• Live moss ball, hand formed
• Display dishes sold separately
• Non toxic to cats and dogs
• Handmade individually, so moss coverage, ball shape, and frond size vary from the photo.
• Approximate size: 6″ X 18″

Care

• Light: indirect light or gentle shade. Ferns evolved on forest floors, and direct sun will crisp the fronds within days.
• Water: soak 2 to 3 minutes, drain fully. Keep the ball damp at all times, roughly every 4 to 5 days indoors. Check by weight. Light means water now.
• Water the ball, not the plant. Pouring water into the center of the crown causes rot. Soaking from below avoids this entirely, which is one more reason kokedama suits this fern.
• Never let it dry out completely. Unlike a succulent, a fern does not bounce back from a hard dry-out.
• Temperature: above 60F / 15C. Humidity is welcome, and a bathroom or kitchen suits it well.
• Brown frond tips usually mean dry air. Whole fronds browning from the base usually means the crown stayed wet.

Every ball is formed and wrapped by hand, so the jute pattern and the shape of the sphere are unique to your piece. The plant varies too, in size, form, and color. Yours will not look exactly like the photo, and we think that is the best part.