How To Care For Crispy Wave Fern (Japanese Asplenium Nidus)

If you’re looking for a new type of fern to put in your home or office, the crispy wave fern might be just what you need. This plant has many benefits and is relatively easy to care for! In this post, we will talk about how to grow and maintain this lovely houseplant.

How To Care For Crispy Wave Fern?

Crispy Wave Ferns should receive daily in-direct sunlight, be kept in moist soil that drains well, temperature of 70-80 °F, humidity above 50%, and fertilizer once a month during the warm seasons.

Following the above advice will allow your fern to thrive and be the healthiest it can possibly be. I will now give an in-depth breakdown of the different factors that contribute to the health of your crispy wave fern.

Light for Crispy Wave Fern

Pick a spot in your home or office that receives bright sunlight. The plant will require at least four hours of sunlight per day. If there isn’t enough natural light then try using artificial lighting instead of direct sunlight if possible.

Soil for Crispy Wave Fern

The crispy wave fern, as an epiphyte, thrives in areas of dense tree coverage or palm leaves that provide a cool and moist habitat. The decomposing leaves give the crispy wave fern a bunch of nutrients it needs to grow.

As such, crispy wave ferns should be kept in nutrient-rich soil with plenty of organic matter. I like to use organic compost that drains well. Keep the soil moist, but not wet. If you notice it drying out, simply water it again until the soil is saturated with moisture.

Humidity for Crispy Wave Fern

This is a tropical plant that thrives in environments with lots of humidity. Allow indoor levels of humidity around 50% by misting them occasionally during hot days or when they are sitting on carpets all day long without ventilation – Do not forget about watering!

The soil must be kept moist at all times but never soggy wet so it can drain properly. If you need to raise humidity levels in your home, invest in a humidifier. You can also try putting the pot on top of pebbles that are filled with water and put it next to a running bathtub or shower.

The LEVOIT humidifier (Amazon link) is the perfect choice for crispy wave ferns. It’s ultrasonic, meaning it produces a cool mist instead of steam or hot water to humidify your home. That means no more worries about overheating!

Plus, it has an auto shut-off feature that will turn off at any time you want – even when the tank is still full so you won’t waste money on electricity bills and be sure not to forget about your plant during winter days with shorter daylight hours.

Does the Crispy Wave Fern Need to Be Fertilized?

This type of fern does not need to be fertilized often because its leaves are thick and sturdy so they don’t require as many nutrients from the ground as other plants do.

However, if you feel inclined to feed this plant some organic fertilizer during spring and summer when it’s actively growing (check for the expiration date on the package before using), then go ahead!

Container for Crispy Wave Fern

The crispy wave fern can be grown in a wide variety of containers, but it’s best to use one with drainage because this type likes good air circulation.

When selecting a container always consider its size and weight when deciding where to place it as they might not fit on certain surfaces or if you move them around too much they might tip over from the sheer weight of water in the plant (and your pot).

Although it is a small plant, the crispy wave fern has a relatively large root system that should not be planted in shallow pots. This will limit its growth and cause it to become too heavy.

Watering a Crispy Wave Fern

The crispy wave fern will need to be watered frequently to keep the soil moist. However, make sure the soil isn’t soggy with a pool of water. It’s a very fine balancing act, so keep an eye on it.

Watering should never occur when there are standing pools on top or around your plant’s pot because stagnant water can lead to fungus growth.

The best way to water a crispy wave fern is with room-temperature water in the morning. You see, using cold water may shock your plant, which can result in dropped leaves and other issues. Watering in the morning gives your plant a full day to take in the water before night hits.

Indoor vs Outdoor Growing

Crispy wave ferns are native to the rainforests of Southeast Asia, so are best suited to growing in any environment with good humidity. They do not fare well inside homes with central heating systems because they require humidity to thrive. If growing indoors, it’s best to invest in a humidifier to raise the room humidity levels.

If growing outdoors, you’ll need to ensure your plant is placed in a shady spot. Too much direct sunlight will burn the leaves of this fern and can eventually lead to death. If planting near other plants, be sure that they provide some shade for the crispy wave ferns.

Pruning a Crispy Wave Fern: The Basics

They do not require pruning, but some enthusiasts will cut the leaves for aesthetic purposes or to encourage bushier growth. Prune crispy wave ferns in spring before the new foliage appears. You can do this by trimming off branches and shoots from the previous season.

Pruning can also be done after the leaves have faded and fallen off for an autumnal look. If you want your ferns to retain their dark green color all year-round, trim them in late winter or early spring before new leaf growth appears.

Can Crispy Wave Ferns Be Propagated?

Yes, but only through spores or tissue culture. I like to propagate a fern by collecting the spores, which you can do by leaving a leaf on a piece of paper for a few days. After waiting, you will notice a growth of spores on the underside of the leaf.

You then simply need to collect the spores, and then sprinkle them into compost soil. These spores should be kept in shaded areas with high levels of humidity – just like the adult plant.

The spores will take a few weeks to produce their own roots. Afterward, you may transplant the new fern into pots or garden soil if desired!

Repotting a Crispy Wave Fern

When a fern outgrows its pot, it is time to re-pot the plant. This will typically happen every two or three years! You should always use fresh soil (or even better – compost) when you are transplanting your crispy wave fern from one pot to another.

I recommend lining the new container with pebbles or small stones to create a drainage layer. Your crispy wave fern should ideally have lots of space in its new pot, so make sure you use one that is significantly larger than the old container!

How to Make Crispy Wave Fern Bigger?

If you want your fern to grow bigger, you can increase the humidity of your home, give your plant a bigger pot, and follow the other care tips in this article. The priority is ensuring the roots are allowed to thrive and spread out to their maximum capacity.

How to Keep Pests Away from Crispy Wave Fern?

You can use a water spray bottle to regularly wet the leaves of your crispy wave fern. You should also dust its potting media occasionally with pest-preventative diatomaceous earth powder and keep an eye out for signs that you might have a pest on your hands. Keep an eye out for bugs and other pests that might be causing your fern to look unhealthy.

Where to Place a Crispy Wave Fern?

You should keep your crispy wave fern anywhere you like in your home or garden. I like to proudly display mine in the front room, which receives a few hours of light but isn’t hit with any direct sunlight.

You could even keep your plant in the bathroom! This may sound strange to some of you, but many people do this with plants that thrive in humid conditions.

Benefits of Crispy Wave Fern?

The crispy wave fern has many benefits that make it worth keeping as a houseplant. It’s great that they remove harmful toxins from the air by absorbing them through their foliage, giving off oxygen at night while plants usually sleep, and filtering indoor pollutants!

When you’re looking into getting a new type of fern, consider adding one of these beauties to your home because they are very easy to care for!

You may also want to consider trimming any dead leaves from the crispy wave fern as they have been shown to increase susceptibility for infection and disease while living ones improve air circulation which wards off pests and diseases better than other plants’ leaves (scientific study).

Crispy Wave Fern FAQ

We’ve gone through the main care rules for crispy wave ferns, but you may still have some questions. If so, hopefully, I answer them below:

Why are the leaves drooping?

The leaves of your crispy wave fern may droop because it’s not getting enough water. Check to make sure you’re following all the watering instructions outlined above. If your crispy wave fern still droops after this, the plant may be too cold or hot where you placed it (refer to care guidelines).

Why do crispy wave ferns have holes in them?

Mealybugs could be eating away at the leaves of your crispy wave fern, which will eventually kill the plant. You can use a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol to kill the mealybugs and prevent this issue from happening again.

What is so great about crispy wave ferns?

Crispy Wave Ferns are really easy plants to care for, they’re great for beginners who want an easy-to-care-for plant! They also have a really cool texture and will add to any room’s décor.

What should I do if the leaves turn brown?

It might be that you’re not watering your crispy wave fern enough, make sure it has plenty of water in the soil but doesn’t get too wet or soggy.

Do crispy wave ferns clean the air?

Crispy Wave Ferns do a good job at purifying the air as they release oxygen and remove carbon dioxide. They’re one of those plants that can make your home feel like it has more space and makes you feel calmer just by being there!

Why are crispy wave ferns popular?

Crispy wave ferns are really popular because they’re so easy to care for, and they look great in any room. They can also help purify the air which is especially important when it comes to allergies or asthma. Plus, these plants attract a lot of attention with their beautiful texture!

Conclusion

Caring for the plant is vital to its longevity and health. It’s important to know how often they need watering, light levels needed during the warm seasons, and more.

Thank you for reading this blog post. If you think some of this information might help you care for your ferns, then please share these tips with your plant-loving friends!

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