---
title: "How to water a Bird's Nest Fern"
description: "Keep your Bird's Nest Fern (Asplenium nidus) healthy. Discover how to check soil moisture and apply water using methods like top watering, bottom watering, or a water bath."
url: "https://getplanta.com/discover/watering/aspleniumnidus"
published: "2025-11-20T08:44:30.975Z"
modified: "2026-10-06T10:11:30.540Z"
author: "Planta"
image: "https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/public/content/z2nIxvivQHievY78Xy5xyA.webp?size=large"
---

# How to water a Bird's Nest Fern

## How to water

Feel the soil; it should be a bit moist but not wet when watering it again. Squeeze a bit of soil between your fingers, if water seeps out it’s still wet.

**If the soil is wet - snooze this action, we will remind you again in 2 days.**

![](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/public/content/z2nIxvivQHievY78Xy5xyA.webp?size=large)

## Water over the soil

1. Pour water over the soil, using, for example, a watering can or put the plant directly under a tap
2. Continue adding water to the pot until it starts to run out from the drainage holes
3. If you have a tray under the pot when watering, make sure you remove all the collected water afterwards - never let your plant sit in water
4. If you watered under a tap make sure that water has stopped running out from the bottom before putting it back

> Make sure your pot has drainage holes, without these your plant runs the risk of rotting in the excess water that can’t drain out.  
> — Planta tip

![](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/public/content/McA2Sk4FRHSGPW__Rn56fw.webp?size=large)

## Bottom watering

1. Fill the plant tray with water
2. Make sure the soil is in contact with the water on the tray
3. Wait for about 10 minutes
4. Feel the soil to see if it absorbed enough water —> if the soil is moist throughout, remove any excess water from the tray
5. If it’s still dry —> add more water to the tray
6. Wait 20 more minutes before removing the excess

### Note

Bottom watering will not wash away salts and other minerals from the soil, so make sure to also give water over the soil every now and then.

## Water bath

1. Fill a bucket or any other vessel with lukewarm water
2. Lower the whole pot down in the water, stop where the stem of the plant starts. Make sure all of the soil is under water
3. The water will now start to bubble - wait until it stopped
4. Lift the pot up and let the excess drain off
5. Put the plant back in the cachepot or on the tray
6. After 1 hour, check that the plant isn’t standing in water, if it is it might get overwatered and rot

## Ofte stillede spørgsmål

### When should I water my Bird's Nest Fern?

You should water your Bird's Nest Fern (Asplenium nidus) when the soil feels a bit moist but not wet. To check, squeeze a bit of soil between your fingers; if water seeps out, it's still too wet.

### Why does my Bird's Nest Fern need drainage holes?

Drainage holes are crucial because without them, your Bird's Nest Fern (Asplenium nidus) risks rotting from excess water that cannot drain out. Always ensure your pot has drainage holes.

### How do I water my Bird's Nest Fern from above?

To top water your Bird's Nest Fern (Asplenium nidus), pour water over the soil until it runs out from the drainage holes. If using a tray, remove all collected water afterward, and ensure water has stopped draining if watered under a tap.

### What is the process for bottom watering a Bird's Nest Fern?

To bottom water, fill the plant tray with water, ensuring the soil makes contact. Wait about 10 minutes, then check if the soil is moist throughout; remove excess water or add more and wait longer if it's still dry.

### Can I exclusively use bottom watering for my Bird's Nest Fern?

No, bottom watering does not wash away salts and other minerals from the soil. Make sure to also give your Bird's Nest Fern (Asplenium nidus) water over the soil every now and then.

### How do I give my Bird's Nest Fern a water bath?

For a water bath, fill a bucket with lukewarm water and lower the whole pot until the stem starts, ensuring all soil is submerged. Wait until the bubbling stops, then lift the pot to let the excess water drain off.

## How to Water a Bird's Nest Fern

1. Check the soil: only water your Bird's Nest Fern (Asplenium nidus) if it feels a bit moist but not wet.
2. Pour water over the soil, using a watering can or tap, until it starts to run out from the drainage holes.
3. If you have a tray under the pot, make sure you remove all the collected water afterward.
4. If watered under a tap, ensure that water has stopped running out from the bottom before putting the plant back.

---

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