Austral Gem Bird's Nest Fern
Best low-maintenance fern for tidy indoor plant enthusiasts.
Discover the Austral Gem Bird's Nest Fern, a unique and handsome variety known for its thick, glossy, dark green foliage. This durable fern features strong, feathery fronds and is highly adaptable, thriving even in low humidity environments. As a sterile hybrid, it avoids the mess of spores, making it an excellent choice for indoor settings in any climate. It matures to about 20 inches tall and 24 inches wide. This evergreen plant prefers shade and requires organically rich, evenly moist, well-drained soil to flourish. It is perfect for containers or shady outdoor borders in warmer zones.
$19.99
Owner Satisfaction
4.7
/ 5
Category Rank
141
/ 9359
#141 in Potted Houseplants
Price vs Category Average
-62%
Below average
Mature Height
20
/ inches
Who it's for
- Busy plant owners wanting a resilient, low-maintenance greenery option
- Clean-freaks and allergy sufferers needing a mess-free indoor plant
- Design-conscious homeowners seeking a polished, durable indoor aesthetic
Who should skip it
- Forgetful waterers prone to over-saturating the plant's center
- Apartment dwellers lacking consistent, bright, indirect light sources
- Impatient gardeners looking for rapid, dramatic growth results
Performance breakdown
Indoor Adaptability
Thrives in low humidity environments where other ferns typically struggle.
Maintenance Ease
Sterile hybrid nature eliminates the cleanup of dropped spores.
Foliage Aesthetics
Thick, glossy fronds provide a sophisticated, architectural look for interiors.
Growth Predictability
Consistent medium growth rate ensures manageable sizing for container displays.
Environmental Versatility
Highly flexible for both indoor containers and shaded outdoor borders.
Hardiness Range
Limited to warmer zones, requiring protection in colder climates.
Key Specs
Mature Height
20 inches
Mature Width
24 inches
Light Needs
Shade
Hardiness Zone
9
Foliage Color
Green
Family Name
Spleenwort
Growth Rate
Medium
Pot Size Available
1 gallon, 5 gallon
Features
- Sterile variety that does not produce messy spores
- Durable and handsome appearance
- Evergreen foliage retention
- Suitable for shady outdoor planting in warm zones
What customers say
Customers are overwhelmingly positive about the Austral Gem's quality and resilience. Reviewers frequently highlight the plant's stunning, glossy foliage and robust health right out of the box, confirming Monrovia's reputation for premium plants. The consistent theme is the fern's remarkable ease of care. It proves highly reliable, tolerating lower light and less frequent watering better than typical ferns, making it an ideal, low maintenance choice for both novice and experienced plant parents. This durability strongly supports its perceived value.
Know before you buy
No, the Austral Gem is a sterile hybrid, which means it does not produce the messy dust or spores typical of many other ferns. This makes it a cleaner, low-maintenance option for indoor display.
This fern prefers shade. Indoors, it does best in a spot with bright, indirect light, while outdoors it should be kept in a shaded area away from direct sun, which can scorch its glossy fronds.
Yes, unlike many other ferns that require high humidity, the Austral Gem is highly adaptable and performs well in standard indoor environments.
The Austral Gem typically matures to a compact size of 20 inches in height and 24 inches in width, making it an ideal choice for tabletops, shelves, or containers.
You can plant it outdoors if you live in hardiness zone 9 or warmer. In these climates, it works well in shaded borders or containers, but it must be brought inside or protected if temperatures drop.
It thrives in soil that is organically rich, well-drained, and kept evenly moist. Ensure your container has drainage holes to prevent the roots from sitting in excess water.
Still have a question?
Ask Hayley anything about this product before you decide.
Ready to buy?
$20