Genus Adiantum (Maidenhair fern)

Adiantum pedatum Photo/Illustration: Jennifer Benner

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Common Name: Maidenhair fern

Adiantum is made up of elegant evergreen or deciduous ferns in 200 to 250 species from tropical and subtropical areas of North and South America and a few from the temperate regions of Europe, Asia, Australia, New Zealand, and North America. They have distinct glossy black to purple-red stalks. Fiddleheads and young fronds of many species display a purplish-pink color. Grow in a woodland or shade garden.
Noteworthy characteristics: Graceful, delicate-looking foliage.
Care: Outdoors, grow hardy species in moist, well-drained, moderately fertile soil in an open site in partial shade. Tender species need humusy soil in a partially shaded, open site. Indoors, grow in bright indirect light in summer with plenty of humidity and good ventilation. Water sparingly in winter.
Propagation: Divide rhizomes in early spring. Or sow spores as soon as they ripen at 59°F or higher (for hardy ferns) and 70°F (for tender species).
Problems: Rarely, scale insects are troublesome when grown in a greenhouse.

Species, varieties and cultivars for genus Adiantum

Adiantum capillus-veneris
(Southern maidenhair fern) Be the first to rate this plant

Hardiness Zones:

The southern maidenhair fern has fluffy, airy, and elegant foliage, which works equally well in containers or in open ground. It's a perfect plant for providing light, airy texture to shady beds. -Tom Nelson, Regional Picks: Northern California, Fine Gardening issue #127

Adiantum pedatum
(Northern maidenhair fern) Be the first to rate this plant

Hardiness Zones:

Northern maidenhair fern's curved fronds have wiry black stems that wave in the wind. This plant spreads slowly (by branching rhizomes) and eventually forms large colonies. Its delicate texture looks most beautiful when paired with broad-leaved plants. -June Hutson, Regional Picks: Midwest, Fine Gardening issue# 127

Adiantum pedatum ssp. aleuticum
(Northern maidenhair fern) Be the first to rate this plant

Hardiness Zones:

This is an elegant, deciduous fern with medium green fronds on dark brown or black stalks with thick creeping rhizomes. It provides a distinct form in a woodland setting or shaded border.

Adiantum venustum
(Himalayan maidenhair fern)

(2 user reviews)

Hardiness Zones:

Elegant, lacy foliage on black stems makes this maidenhair fern a standout, even among others in the genus. In addition, when new fronds emerge in late winter or early spring, they are bright bronze-pink. Only about a foot high, Himalayan maidenhair ferns can spread by creeping rhizomes to form a sizeable colony. They also make eye-catching indoor plants and pair well with orchids.