Maidenhair ferns have a delicate, ethereal appearance that make them a must-have in your houseplant collection. (Here are our favorite indoor plants.)
With wiry, arching stems and lacy leaflets, this houseplant is a striking addition. But be aware that maidenhair ferns do require a bit more TLC than low-maintenance plants such as pothos or snake plant.
“Maidenhairs are beautiful but they lean toward being more finicky than some houseplants,” says Mobee Weinstein, author of The Complete Book of Ferns and foreman of gardeners at New York Botanical Garden. “Too hot, too cold, too wet, or too dry, and they won’t be happy. But if you give them the right environmental conditions, maidenhair ferns will thrive.”
Most maidenhairs remain compact, typically maxing out at 12 inches tall, so they make a great tabletop plant for small spaces.
There are several different maidenhairs widely available now:
- Rough or Rosy maidenhair (Adiantum hispidulum), which has new foliage that emerges a pretty reddish-pink; it’s one of the easiest maidenhairs to grow indoors
- Southern maidenhair (Adiantum capillus-veneris), which has the classic fan-shaped lacy leaflets
- Delta maidenhair (Adiantum raddianum), which has more drooping fronds
- Brittle maidenhair (Adiantum tenerum), which has an arching habit and leaflets that resemble miniature gingko leaves
Here’s what else you need to know about maidenhair fern care:
How Do You Care for a Maidenhair Fern?
To get the best results, give maidenhair ferns bright, indirect light.
An east-facing window is ideal, but you also can use a south or west-facing window. Pull them back a bit so they aren’t receiving direct sunlight, or use a sheer curtain to diffuse the light.
“Maidenhairs do not want to bake in blazing-hot afternoon sun,” says Weinstein. If you don’t have the right natural light, a grow light also works great. Here are some grow lights we recommend.
How Do You Water a Maidenhair Fern?
Maidenhairs like to stay moist, but not sopping wet.
Before watering, the soil surface should feel slightly dry. Don’t wait too long to water. “You can’t let them dry out completely,” says Weinsten. “Most ferns are not forgiving and will not revive if you allow them to wilt.”
You also can familiarize yourself with how the pot feels right after you water.
To do this, make sure the pot has a drain hole, then soak it well, until water runs out the bottom of the pot. Dump out the excess water from the saucer. Then lift up the pot and note its weight.
This will help you gauge when to water the next time, says Weinstein. When it starts to feel light, it’s time to water again.
Maidenhairs also love humidity. They will do better if you group them together with other houseplants. As the plants transpire, or release moisture, it will keep the air more humid in that area.
You can also run a humidifier in the room. If the frond tips begin browning, the fern isn’t getting enough humidity, says Weinstein.
Should I Feed Maidenhair Ferns?
Feeding this houseplant definitely helps give it a boost.
Fertilize at 1/4 to 1/2- strength with something like a 10-10-10 type liquid fertilizer. Feed them about once a month from spring through fall, then stop during winter.
You usually can tell when it’s time to start feeding again in the spring because new little fronds will start to unfurl, says Weinstein.
How Do You Propagate Maidenhair Ferns?
Physically splitting ferns is the easiest way to propagate them.
Maidenhairs grow in a tight clump. If you see that it’s naturally splitting, remove it from the pot. Use a sharp knife, and cut off the new clump that’s forming, along with some of its creeping rhizomes.
Or you can remove the entire plant and cut it in half, and repotting each piece in a separate pot, says Weinstein. Keep the pots slightly moist as the new pieces get established.
What Are the Easiest Ferns to Grow?
If you decide you love the look of ferns but feel like maidenhairs may be a bit challenging if you’re a first-time plant parent, take heart.
Other ferns, such as lemon button fern (which look very similar to maidenhairs) and bird’s nest fern (which are less demanding about watering) are great choices for new plant parents.
They’re more forgiving plants, says Weinstein. Gain experience with these "starter" ferns, and soon you’ll be ready to move on to maidenhair ferns!
White Flower Farm Rosy Maidenhair Fern (Adiantum hispidulum)
National Plant Network Lemon Button Fern (Nephrolepis cordifolia)
Arricca Elin SanSone has written about health and lifestyle topics for Prevention, Country Living, Woman's Day, and more. She’s passionate about gardening, baking, reading, and spending time with the people and dogs she loves.
