Tree Ferns from the Cyatheaceae or Dicksoniaceae family.

Today for Houseplant Spotlight, I wanted to feature my Crispy Wave Fern (Asplenium Nidus), pictured here with Snuffy the Sloth, a toy my daughter outgrew, but I thought it was cute, so it lives on my desk now.

A few years ago, I had a previous, less-successful attempt to get into houseplants. I had done some research and found that the crispy wave fern was highly rated in terms of air purification. I ordered one from some place online, and despite my best efforts, it bit the dust.

I got this one from Aldi (I get a lot of my plants from grocery stores, tbh, because that's where I go). It was listed, rather generically as a "Farmhouse Fern," but it's the same thing I had before.

It isn't a fast grower or anything, but it's still alive many months later. The main tip for these is to never water them in the center. It's very tempting! It's got this nice, sort of open center that looks like the perfect place to put the water, but NO. There's some weird little granule things down in there that are actually new leaves developing. If you water down in there, it will pool and rot the plant and it will die.

I'm actually pretty vigilant against root-rot overall with this plant. I've got it planted in African violet soil, which doesn't hold water very well at all, and it's in a bottom-watering pot. I never mist it. It's lived in a couple places in my house, but currently sits on the desk next to my computer, in a west-facing bay window, and it's been doing well there. Basically, my primary rule for keeping this one alive is just leave it alone.

13.11.2020

Two days ago I bought myself my very first fern and I gotta say I am a little scared to kill him

pothos exotica with some other plant friends 🤍 💚

Starting with the easier shelves! This shelf is in my bedroom, next to a south-facing window, sheer curtain to block direct sun.

Two little staghorn ferns mounted on driftwood, they were pretty darn ratty when I got them, but they both put out two new fronds in December/January, and both are starting new basal fronds!

They soak in a basin of water for about fifteenish minutes when they are thirsty.

All of my orchids are named after Hogwarts teachers, and unfortunately both Minerva and Sybil had their new shoots snapped during the regrowth period in two separate tragic accidents. Sybil's could be saved so she has an avocado washi bandaid, Minerva who is wintering in a coconut decided to reshoot AGAIN so props to her.

Each orchid has a slotted container which sits in a woven basket for good airflow around the roots. They also get watered in a basin.

On the middle shelf is my calathea musaica that I should probably pay more attention to... A thoroughly middling plant, puts out new leaves and doesn't complain, but those leaves are all smallish and just kinda “ehn” for a calathea. Both of my hoya carnosa compacta grow speedily, like two speedily growing things. This one has decided to start growing in loops, and if that is what she wants I will support that endeavor.

Chlorophytum bonnie is a bit too straight.. One really must harden ones heart to keep them curly because from neglect springs loopy leaves, but I am a soft touch and mine is too content with life to contort itself.

String of beads is currently wavering... I absentmindedly overwatered, am hoping this sunny and hot week will dry it out. This just reminded me to plunk it right on the windowsill so the post is already paying dividends! That beeyoootiful philodendron is one of my favourite plants. What a champ. Perdita X Dream is gorgeous and speedy and the best.

Lasagna fern Asplenium nidus var. plicatum Aspleniaceae