How to Grow and Care for Maidenhair Fern Indoors

Maidenhair ferns (Adiantum raddianum) are tropical deciduous ferns known for their delicate, fan-shaped leaf segments clustered on wiry black stems. They're a popular houseplant known for their attractive foliage and compact size. These slow-growing ferns typically take up to three years to reach their mature size. They have a lifespan of around 15 years.

Growing maidenhair ferns indoors can be tricky, as you need to replicate the conditions in their native habitat in the tropical Americas and the West Indies—indirect or dappled light, warm, humid conditions, and constantly moist yet well-drained soil. Here's how to take care of a maidenhair fern.

Maidenhair Fern Care

Beginner Tips for Maidenhair Fern

• Best Place to Put It: Place your maidenhair fern in a spot with bright, indirect light or dappled light.
• Best Conditions: Keep the room temperature around 70°F and ensure the humidity is high.
• Best Soil Type: Plant in moist, well-drained potting mix.
• Best Way to Water It: Water it regularly so the soil stays consistently moist but not soggy.

Warning

Maidenhair fern is considered to be invasive in Hawaii. As a precaution, it is not recommended to plant it outdoors in any warm, frost-free climate.

Light

To mimic the native conditions of the plant on the forest floor, put it in a place where it receives bright indirect sunlight. Avoid harsh light or direct sun, as its delicate leaves burn easily. However, too little light leads to poor growth and yellowing fronds.

Tip

Keep maidenhair ferns several feet from south-facing or west-facing windows, which get strong, direct light, especially in the afternoon. North-facing windows or east-facing windows, which receive the weaker morning light, are ideal.

Soil

Use well-draining potting soil amended with 20 to 50% organic matter, such as compost, to improve the water retention of the potting medium.

Water

Keep the soil consistently moist but not soggy. Water regularly to keep the soil from drying out, but never let the plant sit in water that collects in a drip tray or cache pot.

Temperature and Humidity

Maidenhair ferns need warm, humid conditions. Keep the room temperature above 70°F and avoid placing it near cold drafts or anywhere in your home where the temperature could dip below 60°F. To increase humidity, place the potted plant near a humidifier or in a bathroom where humidity is naturally higher.

Fertilizer

There is no compelling reason to fertilize your maidenhair fern, the plant will do just fine without it. If you feel it needs an added dose of nutrients, use a balanced houseplant fertilizer diluted to half-strength once a month between March and September. Avoid fertilizers that are high in nitrogen, which causes the tips of the leaves to burn.

Is This Plant For You?

THIS IS THE RIGHT PLANT FOR YOU IF...

• you're up for a slight challenge
• you have high humidity areas where it can live
• you're good at consistently checking soil moisture levels

Types of Maidenhair Fern

Maidenhair fern is part of the Adiantum genus that includes over 200 types of ferns grown around the world. Here are some other common maidenhair fern species.

• Northern maidenhair fern (Adiantum pedatum): This species, found in eastern North America and in parts of Asia, is a popular outdoor plant for shade gardens.
• Western maidenhair fern (Adiantum aleuticum): Also called Aleutian maidenhair fern, this species is native to the west coast of North America. It often grows near waterfalls where the plant benefits from the spray.
• Southern maidenhair fern (Adiantum capillus-veneris): This species is sometimes known as Venus maidenhair fern. It's commonly found in the southern United States and elsewhere in the world in temperate and tropical regions.
  

Pruning

There's no need to prune maidenhair fern other than removing dead or damaged fronds but cutting them at the crown of the plant.

Potting and Repotting Maidenhair Ferns

Maidenhair ferns don't mind being a little crowded and only need to be repotted when the roots are filling the pot. Use a pot one or two inches larger in diameter than the old pot, either plastic or glazed ceramic. Avoid terra cotta pots, which wick away moisture and dry out the soil too quickly.

Propagating Maidenhair Fern

Like other ferns, maidenhair ferns are easy to propagate by division. You'll need a few plant pots, fresh potting mix, and a clean, sharp knife. Here's how to propagate maidenhair fern.

1. A few days before you want to divide your fern, water it well.
2. When it's time to propagate, fill the new pots about a third of the way with fresh soil. Remove your maidenhair fern from its container.
3. Use a clean, sharp knife to cut the root ball into two or three clumps, ensuring that each clump has a portion of the rhizome and foliage. Take this opportunity to cut back any dead or damaged fronds from the crown of the plant.
4. Plant each section into its own pot. Fill in each container with fresh soil.
5. Water the divisions well. Wait a couple of months to fertilize recently divided ferns to avoid burning the roots.

Common Pests

Only a couple of common insects usually affect indoor maidenhair ferns. Scale and mealybugs like to attach themselves to the fronds. Check the plant regularly and treat any infestation with insecticidal soap.

Common Problems With Maidenhair Ferns

If grown in unsuitable conditions, maidenhair fern may show different signs of stress:

Leaves Turning Brown

This is a common sign of overly dry conditions—lack of water, lack of humidity, or both. Check the soil moisture and water the plant if needed. Consider running a humidifier nearby and make sure the plant isn't located in the path of a heat or air conditioning vent.

Leaves Turning Yellow

Yellowing leaves on maidenhair ferns often signal overwatering. Allow the soil to dry out before watering again. In extreme cases, it may be best to repot the plant with fresh soil, removing any dead or rotten roots while repotting.

Leaves Falling Off

If a maidenhair fern is allowed to dry out too much, leaflets will turn brown and crispy and eventually fall off. Trim away damaged foliage, water the plant deeply, and consider running a humidifier. Monitor soil moisture and water again before the soil dries out.

Leaves Curling

Curling leaves are another sign that your maidenhair fern needs higher humidity. Try grouping it together with several other humidity-loving plants, keeping it in a bathroom where steam from the shower boosts humidity, or run a humidifier nearby.

From: thespruce