Plant Library
Maidenhair Fern Care Guide
Adiantum raddianum
By the Plantshop.com Editorial Team · Updated · How we research · Report an error
The maidenhair fern has delicate, fan-shaped leaflets on wiry black stems. It is beautiful and notoriously unforgiving of dry soil or dry air.
Plant profile
- Light
- Medium indirect light; no direct sun
- Water
- Keep consistently moist; never let it dry out
- Humidity
- High
- Pets
- Adiantum is not on the ASPCA list; ask your vet if unsure [ASPCA]
- Difficulty
- Challenging
- Size
- 1-2 ft
- Growth
- Moderate
Light
Medium indirect light; no direct sun. Rotate the pot every few weeks so growth stays even.
Water
Keep consistently moist; never let it dry out. Always use a pot with drainage holes and empty the saucer after watering. Plants use far less water in winter.
Humidity and temperature
Humidity: high. Most houseplants prefer 60-80°F (16-27°C) and dislike cold drafts and heating vents.
Soil and feeding
Use a well-draining potting mix with bark or perlite for air. Feed lightly in spring and summer with a balanced houseplant fertilizer at half strength; skip feeding in winter.
Our tip
Put it in a bathroom or kitchen and check the soil every couple of days.
Common problems
- Crispy fronds: Dried out once; cut back and keep moist, it often regrows.
- Yellowing: Too much direct sun.
- Rot: Waterlogged pot without drainage.
Pets
Adiantum is not on the ASPCA list; ask your vet if unsure. Check the ASPCA plant list. If a pet chews it and shows symptoms, call your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center. Check any plant in our Pet-Safe Plant Checker.
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