Maidenhair Fern

Maidenhair Fern - Adiantum is a Creeping Plant

Latin name: Adiantum pedatum

Hardy planting zone: 3 to 11

Mature height: 1 to 2 1/2 feet

Spread: 1 to 1 1/2 feet

Bloom season: Non-flowering

Sun: Part to full shade

Maidenhair Fern — Adiantum pedatum is an easy to grow, gorgeously bright-green fern that thrives in zones 3-11. As a non-flowering plant, maidenhair ferns produce showy foliage and love part-shade, dappled light with a bit of sun. The soil requirements for maidenhair ferns are acidic, well-draining, and moist. These plants are native to wet areas and grow as understory plants in river banks, waterfall banks, and rocky outcrops along wetlands. These plants will thrive in the ground in raised beds or container gardens so long as they have plenty of water.

Maidenhair Ferns are Easy to care for as indoor plants or in outdoor gardens

Maidenhair ferns are an easy way to add texture and vivid color to a landscape. They do well in pots with rich, organic soil that is well-drained. Plan on watering them often as they love their toes wet. These plants do not have many pests or disease issues and are relatively easy to grow. Add them to a pot to fill create green space around other flowering plants, or plant them in the ground on the edge of shady places in your yard.

In the landscape, these plants add beautiful vivid color and texture in spring, summer, and early fall. They are excellent in woodland gardens and shady pathways. They grow well under most trees, making them an ideal replacement for grasses in shaded areas. They are native to North America

Maidenhair Ferns Thrives in humid conditions indoors

Water is the primary concern with maidenhair ferns. Water at least once per week and mist daily to keep the plant hydrated. They grow in humid conditions, so misting is necessary when grown indoors.

Maidenhair Ferns are Easy to Propagate

Plant a few and let them spread/ They spread by root rhizomes and will form dense colonies of vivid green on their own. They are deciduous plants and shed their leaves in the fall. Their beautifully textured leaves are the mainstay of color, but spring foliage produces pink fiddleheads. The vivid green leaves are beautifully offset by brown or black stems.

Plant Profile

Vivid Green Texture with Pink Spring Fiddleheads

Maidenhair ferns mature at 1-2 1/2 feet in height with an overall spread that ranges from 1 1 1/2 feet. Their main attraction is the gorgeous vivid green leaves that contrast so beautifully with their dark brown or black steams. Rates as easy to grow with few plant pests or diseases, maidenhair ferns are an excellent choice for beginners. There are 250 varieties of Maidenhair ferns available, and each does remarkably well in zones 3-8 and, with extra water, will thrive to zone 11. These plants do well with cold weather as they are deciduous and will drop their leaves in the fall.

Companion Plants

The Maidenhair Fern grows well with Hosta and Caladium plants, which are about the same size and offer a beautiful way to add color to shady spots in your yard. They are danty and perfect for upscale shaded areas or partial sun. This plant is highly sought after in arboretums and gardens.