Bird's nest fern

Native to tropical regions of Asia and Africa, the bird's nest fern is probably one of easiest ferns to care for, but it's by no means a walk in the park. Capable of being a lush statement piece inside the home, the bird's nest fern, or Asplenium nidus, features spear-shaped, apple green leaves with wavy margins and a nest of delicate young fronds (or leaves) at the center. With the best care possible, the shiny leaves on a bird's nest fern can reach up to 4 feet tall.

There are a few different types of bird's nest ferns. Here are the most common ones and what you should know about them:

• Asplenium nidus 'Crissie:' What's special about this variety is that its fronds spread out with hand-like ends.
• Asplenium nidus 'Crispy Wave': As its name implies, this variety features wavy leaves.
• Asplenium nidus 'Osaka': Whereas the Crispy Wave variety features a wavy frond body, the Osaka type is only wavy at the edges.