Serrate Spleenwort Plant Care
Asplenium serratum L.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Asplenium serratum, the bird's nest spleenwort, wild birdnest fern, or New World birdnest fern, is a fern of the New World/Americas.
Every 7–10 days
Bright indirect light
60–75°F
50–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Serrate Spleenwort?
Water Serrate Spleenwort every 7–10 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it bright indirect light. It prefers temperatures of 60–75°F (16–24°C) and 50–70% humidity. Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.
What Is the Serrate Spleenwort?
Serrate Spleenwort (Asplenium serratum) belongs to the Aspleniaceae family within the Asplenium genus. Serrate Spleenwort is also known as Bird's Nest Fern.
Serrate Spleenwort displays a compact, clumping fern growth habit, reaching up to 1.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1.5 ft. Serrate Spleenwort produces non-flowering plant.
Leaf size: approximately 12 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Serrate Spleenwort?
Asplenium serratum requires watering every 7–10 days. Allow the top layer of soil to dry between waterings to prevent root rot. Reduce watering frequency during winter when growth slows.
Watering Frequency
Every 7–10 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Serrate Spleenwort Need?
Serrate Spleenwort thrives in bright indirect light. Avoid placing Serrate Spleenwort in direct, harsh sunlight for extended periods, as this can scorch the foliage.
Light Requirement
Bright indirect light
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Serrate Spleenwort Prefer?
Asplenium serratum grows best at temperatures of 60–75°F. Serrate Spleenwort prefers humidity levels of 50–70%. A pebble tray or humidifier helps maintain adequate moisture around the plant.
Temperature
60–75°F
Humidity
50–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Serrate Spleenwort?
Moist, well-draining soil with high organic matter content. Good drainage is essential for Serrate Spleenwort to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Serrate Spleenwort?
Feed Serrate Spleenwort every 6 months during the growing season (spring and summer) with a balanced fertilizer diluted to the strength on the label.
Pause feeding in autumn and winter, when growth slows, and never fertilize dry soil — water first.
Fertilizing
Every 6 months
During the growing season
The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.
How Do You Repot a Serrate Spleenwort?
Repot every 1-2 years in spring. Choose a pot one size larger than the current container, and ensure it has drainage holes to allow excess water to escape.
How Do You Propagate a Serrate Spleenwort?
Serrate Spleenwort can be propagated through spores, division of rhizomes. Similar propagation techniques also apply to birds nest fern plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Serrate Spleenwort Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Serrate Spleenwort, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Keep pets from chewing it as a precaution.
This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.
See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.
What Pests and Diseases Affect the Serrate Spleenwort?
Serrate Spleenwort is susceptible to spider mites, mealybugs, scale insects. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.
Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.
What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Serrate Spleenwort Need?
Serrate Spleenwort grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13a. It survives winters down to planting zone 13a. In cooler regions, grow Serrate Spleenwort as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 13a
Keep exploring plants
Serrate Spleenwort is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.
It belongs to the Asplenium genus — compare its care with other Asplenium species on PlantoScan.
Asplenium is part of the Aspleniaceae plant family — browse all Aspleniaceae genera and species.
Serrate Spleenwort thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
More Asplenium Species
Other Asplenium species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Asplenium serratum L., family Aspleniaceae (first published in Sp. Pl. : 1079 (1753)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Serrate Spleenwort, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 13a, calculated from the plant's minimum temperature.
- Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.
Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.
Identify Plants Like the
Serrate Spleenwort Instantly
Scan any plant with your phone camera and get instant ID, care tips, water and fertilizer reminders, and health checks — all in one app.
Free
to download
iOS & Android
platforms
Light & dark
mode
100,000+
species