The maidenhair fern is a low-maintenance plant that can be quickly grown in the garden or as a houseplant. It thrives in acidic, moist to, wet, rich soil that drains well. In nature, the plant is found growing on rocks beside waterfalls or other places where water flows.
How Maidenhair Fern Spreads
The Maidenhair Fern is a creeping plant that spreads through rhizomes. Given enough time, it creates dense colonies. It is deciduous and relinquishes its leaves in the fall, though pink fiddleheads start to appear in spring. The leaves themselves are bright green, attractive, and fine-textured. They give the plant its epithet of "pedatum," a bird’s foot. The genus adiantum is Greek for “unwetted,” for the plant quickly sheds water. The plant's stalks are curved, and the stems are delicate as wires and range from red-brown to black. These stems contrast attractively with the green foliage.
Maidenhair Fern Is a Pest And Disease Resistant
The plant does not have severe problems with pests or diseases, though it can go dormant in high heat if it is not well-watered or grown in bright sunshine. The gardener can tell if the plant needs watering because the fronds start to turn brown. The plant needs watering at least once a week and misting daily if grown as a houseplant. It should only get a small amount in the early morning if it receives sun.
Maidenhair Fern Is Perfect For Woodland Gardens
The Maidenhair fern is an excellent choice for a woodland garden, gardens, and paths for shade-loving plants. It is a good choice for the shaded areas beneath trees, where it can replace sun-loving turf grass. The plant is native to North America and can be part of a garden with native plants.
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