Asplenium antiquum 'Victoria' (Japanese Bird's Nest Fern)

Asplenium antiquum 'Victoria' is a Japanese bird's nest fern distinguished by its wavy, ruffled frond edges, which give it a more textured and decorative look than the smoother common bird's nest fern. The fronds are bright green, strap-shaped, and radiate outward from a central crown in a loose rosette, reaching 2 to 3 feet in height. The wavy margins are the signature feature of this cultivar, and they catch and hold light in a way that makes the plant appear to shimmer slightly in a bright room.

Like other bird's nest ferns, 'Victoria' wants bright indirect light, high humidity, and consistently moist but never waterlogged soil. It does particularly well in bathrooms and kitchens where humidity is naturally higher. Avoid getting water into the crown of the plant, which can cause rot. Direct sun bleaches the fronds quickly, so keep it shaded. This cultivar has shown slightly better drought tolerance than some other Asplenium varieties, which gives it a small margin for the occasional missed watering.

This is an excellent indoor fern for anyone who has struggled with finicky species: it is forgiving within reason and the bold, architectural form works equally well in a contemporary container or a lush mixed tropical grouping.