MAIDENHAIR FERN

ADIANTUM RADDIANUM

The maidenhair fern adds a light and frothy touch to any display, thanks to its delicate foliage. Small, bright green, rounded fronds are held on darker, arching stems. Plants can grow to a significant size and will flourish in any high-humidity environment, such as a large terrarium.

HEIGHT 20in (50cm)

SPREAD 24in (60cm)

FLOWERS None

FOLIAGE Light and airy

LIGHT Filtered sun/light shade

TEMPERATURE 50–75°F (10–24°C)

CARE Fairly easy

PLACE OF ORIGIN The Caribbean

CARE

This airy maidenhair fern is ideal for a humid bathroom or kitchen but will also thrive in a warm—but not hot—room, as long as you give it a daily misting with water. It needs plentiful light, but avoid spots that receive direct sun, which will damage foliage.

Plant the fern in commercial potting mix, and be sure to keep this just moist but never wet. Reduce watering slightly in winter if the plant is kept in a cool room. Maidenhair ferns quickly suffer if left to dry out, but in other aspects are easy to maintain, requiring no pruning other than the removal of untidy foliage. Feed the fern monthly with half-strength liquid fertilizer.

If necessary, repot your fern in spring. This is also the time to propagate the plant, if you wish, by carefully dividing the root ball into two or three pieces.

PROBLEM SOLVING Browning foliage is often caused by excess heat, sunlight, or air that is too dry. To remedy this, prune the dead fronds and move the plant to a cooler, shadier spot. Brown dots on the backs of leaves are healthy spores and not pests.

DK

Maidenhair ferns grow fast, so start with a small, inexpensive plant.

DISPLAY

This fern is perfect for a humid terrarium, where it partners well with the mosaic plant and the radiator plant, which offer wonderfully contrasting foliage. The maidenhair fern also looks great in a hanging basket or tabletop pot. Be sure to turn the pot occasionally to promote even growth.

Houseplants A–Z | MAIDENHAIR FERN

ALSO TRY

The pretty, divided foliage of the maidenhair fern is great for breaking up and softening the stark outlines of walls, cabinets, and other interior features. Plants with similar attributes include:

  • Sensitive plant (Mimosa pudica), height 28in (70cm). This plant is a talking point for its feathery foliage, which folds in on itself if touched.
  • Tree maidenhair fern (Didymochlaena truncatula), height 30in (75cm). The fronds of this plant are more leathery than those of the maidenhair fern, but are an attractive bronze when young.
DK

The leaves of the sensitive plant fold up at night and when touched.

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