Maidenhair fern: varieties, properties & care

With their thin, delicate shoots, maidenhair ferns display a curious elegance. As decorative as these delightful plants are, it takes a fair bit of dedication to care for one.

Giving off a jungle-like ambience, maidenhair ferns (Adiantum) have become popular as indoor plants. Their graceful appearance makes for an enticing indoor showpiece. Discover the different varieties of maidenhair fern as well as how to plant and care for them.

Maidenhair fern: origin and properties

The maidenhair fern genus is made up of 171 species. The ones that are most popular as houseplants tend to be more delicate with fine, pinnate leaves. Maidenhair ferns are found almost everywhere in the world apart from the geographical poles and arid regions. The Southern maidenhair fern (Adiantum capillus-veneris) is even native to warm parts of Europe. These herbaceous plants have strongly pinnate fronds and, in nature, grow on the ground or on rocks.

Maidenhair ferns reach heights of 50 to 100cm. Depending on the species, the individual leaflets can be round, fan-shaped, heart-shaped or even rectangular. Maidenhair ferns get their name from the fact that their thin shoots are hardly thicker than a hair. Ferns do not bloom. As with all ferns, maidenhair ferns reproduce via their spores, which come from the dense pockets, the sporangia, on the underside of the leaves. Sporangia typically look like small dots. When the spores are mature, they burst out of the sporangium and are carried away by wind. The new fern plants develop elsewhere, independent of the mother plant.

Maidenhair fern species & varieties

Not all maidenhair fern species are suitable to be kept as houseplants. Here are some of our favourite fern species that make for great houseplants.

• Southern maidenhair fern (Adiantum capillus-veneris): also called venus hair ferns, Southern maidenhair ferns have light green, fan-shaped leaflets and, as indoor plants, reach a height of about 30cm. Southern maidenhair ferns prefer light to semi-shady locations.

• Brittle maidenhair fern (Adiantum tenerum): the young fronds of brittle maidenhair ferns are light pink to red in colour and turn green with age.

• Delta maidenhair fern (Adiantum raddianum): Delta maidenhair fern have fronds that are broad at the base and pointed at the tip, giving them a triangular appearance. Their leaflets are fan-shaped and dark green. Indoors, this species grows about 50cm tall and needs a spot in partial shade.

• Rough maidenhair fern (Adiantum hispidulum): this species grows about 30cm tall. Its leaflets are leathery and rectangular, and they change colour from dark red to dark green. Rough maidenhair ferns also prefer a semi-shady to shady spot. This species prefers a room that is quite cool.

• Northern maidenhair fern (Adiantum pedatum): also known as the five-fingered fern, this species is great for the garden. Northern maidenhair ferns are hardy, tolerating temperatures down to -23 °C. This species grows well in small groups in partial to fully shaded areas with moderately moist, nutrient-rich and acidic soil.

• Giant maidenhair (Adiantum formosum): this fern grows up to 1m high. It needs a warm, humid location, preferably in a window or in a large greenhouse. With the right care, giant maidenhair ferns develop dense, matt green fronds.

• Walking maidenhair fern (Adiantum caudatum): also called tailed or trailing maidenhair fern, the fronds of this species take root where their tips touch the ground. In their natural habitat, walking maidenhair ferns grow as ground cover. As indoor plants, however, they are popular as hanging basket plants. The tips of walking maidenhair fern fronds are extremely sensitive to dryness and should always be kept moist.

Planting maidenhair ferns

Maidenhair ferns need a location in partial to full shade. None of the species tolerate direct sunlight. Protect your maidenhair fern from direct sunlight with a thin curtain or by placing it in the shade of other plants. Like most ferns, maidenhair ferns benefit from high humidity. Mist your fern frequently or place its container on a saucer filled with pebbles and water. Keeping your maidenhair fern in a more humid room, like a bathroom, is ideal.

In summer, maidenhair ferns appreciate warm temperatures of about 20 to 25 °C. In winter, they like it a little cooler at around 18 °C. These plants like a slightly acidic, well-drained soil, such as our Plantura Organic All Purpose Compost. Our peat-free soil stores water well, but also has a loose structure which prevents waterlogging and allows enough air to get to the roots. Before planting a maidenhair fern, add a drainage layer of gravel or expanded clay to the bottom of its pot.

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Maidenhair fern care

The most important part of maidenhair ferns care is watering correctly. Their water requirement is moderate. Water maidenhair ferns regularly, but not too much. Allow the soil surface to dry out between waterings. To check if it is time to water again, simply check if the upper 2cm of soil is dry to the touch. If the soil feels dry, it is time to water. For the best results, use lime-free water, such as rainwater. Water the soil without getting the fronds wet. Some species immediately stop growing if their fronds get wet. Also ensure that the root ball never dries out. If the root ball does dry out, only fully immersing it in water and pruning all of the dry fronds can help.

Maidenhair ferns have a relatively low nutrient requirement. After planting, your fern will initially get its nutrients from the soil. When choosing a fertiliser, avoid any that contain nitrogen, such as flower fertiliser. Maidenhair ferns are also sensitive to salt, so avoid mineral fertilisers at all costs. During the growing season, from spring to autumn, fertilise every eight weeks with a potassium-enriched liquid fertiliser such as our Plantura Liquid Houseplant Food. Our liquid fertiliser is easy to use − just add it to the water. Organic fertiliser granules, such as our Plantura Flower Food, provide additional nutrients and release them gradually over time. Both our liquid and granular fertilisers contain food production waste to provide valuable resources for your plants.

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Whilst maidenhair ferns do not need pruning, you should remove any dry or unattractive fronds. Repot your fern about every two years in spring to give it fresh soil and a new pot if necessary. If your fern was rootbound in its old pot, give it a new pot once size larger.

Tip: too much moist soil around its rhizomes will make a maidenhair fern susceptible to root rot. Therefore, it is better to opt for a pot that is too small over one that is too large.

Withered or dried up maidenhair ferns: a maidenhair fern becoming dry is a sign that it is not getting enough water. As for withering, this can indicate either too much or too little water. Waterlogging can lead to root rot which inhibits affected roots from absorbing water and delivering it to the rest of the plant. Check if your fern’s substrate is dry or wet and has a musty smell. If the soil is dry, water the root ball thoroughly. If the soil is wet and musty, repot your fern. Going forward, adjust how you water your fern accordingly.

Overwintering

Are maidenhair ferns hardy? As there are many distinct species in the plant genus Adiantum, there is not one single answer to this question. Some species, such as the northern maidenhair fern (Adiantum pedatum) and evergreen maidenhair (Adiantum venustum) tolerate frost and can be planted outside as well as overwintered. Most species and varieties that are well-suited as indoor maidenhair ferns are not winter-hardy and need to be overwintered at around 15 °C indoors, but no less than 12 °C. While overwintering, stop fertilising your fern, and water it less. Do not allow your fern to dry out completely.

Are maidenhair ferns poisonous?

Maidenhair ferns are slightly poisonous. However, for symptoms of poisoning, such as nausea, to occur, a person must consume large quantities of the plant. There are more ferns outside the Adiantum genus. Check out our list of other interesting ferns for the home in our overview of the most beautiful indoor ferns.