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Adiantum capillus-veneris (Southern Maidenhair Fern)

Southern Maidenhair Fern, Common Maidenhair Fern, Maidenhair Fern, Venus Hair Fern, Adiantum capillus-veneris var. modestum, Adiantum capillus-veneris var. protrusum, Adiantum modestum

Adiantum capillus-veneris, Southern Maidenhair Fern, Common Maidenhair Fern, Maidenhair Fern, Venus Hair Fern
Adiantum capillus-veneris, Southern Maidenhair Fern, Common Maidenhair Fern, Maidenhair Fern, Venus Hair Fern
Adiantum capillus-veneris, Southern Maidenhair Fern, Common Maidenhair Fern, Maidenhair Fern, Venus Hair Fern

Adiantum capillus-veneris (Southern Maidenhair Fern) is a slowly spreading, semi-evergreen fern forming a mound of gently arching or pendant, twice divided, delicate fronds adorned with wiry, black stems. The graceful, triangular to oval, light green fronds arise in clusters from a short creeping rhizome. Southern Maidenhair Fern is an excellent choice for the woodland garden. It makes a beautiful lush ground cover and may naturalize in rock walls where moisture is present. It is also widely grown as a houseplant. Quite durable and easy to grow, it is the most widely distributed Maidenhair Fern as it is native throughout the world in tropical to temperate regions.

  • Grows up to 12-18 in. tall and wide (30-45 cm).
  • A part to full shade lover, it is best grown in neutral to alkaline, moist, well-drained soils. Keep the plant moist year-round as it does not tolerate drying out. Without watering, it will go dormant by summer.
  • Great choice for shady beds and borders, woodlands, rock gardens, rain gardens and containers.
  • Virtually pest and disease free. Deer resistant.
  • Propagate by spores, division.
  • Native to South America, Europe, Asia, Africa and the southern half of the United States.

Requirements

Hardiness 8 - 11
Heat Zones 8 - 11
Climate Zones 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, H1, H2
Plant Type Ferns, Houseplants
Plant Family Pteridaceae
Genus Adiantum
Common names Maidenhair Fern
Exposure Partial Sun, Shade
Season of Interest Spring (Mid, Late)
Summer (Early, Mid, Late)
Fall
Height 1' - 2'
(30cm - 60cm)
Spread 1' - 2'
(30cm - 60cm)
Spacing 18" (50cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Average
Soil Type Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained
Characteristics Showy, Semi-Evergreen
Native Plants Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Midwest, Mississippi, Missouri, Nevada, New Mexico, North Carolina, Northeast, Ohio, Oklahoma, Rocky Mountains, South Carolina, South Dakota, Southeast, Southwest, Tennessee, Texas, United States, Utah, Virginia
Tolerance Full Shade, Deer
Garden Uses Beds And Borders, Ground Covers, Patio And Containers, Rain Gardens
Garden Styles Prairie and Meadow, Traditional Garden, Gravel and Rock Garden
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Alternative Plants to Consider

Adiantum jordanii (California Maidenhair)
Adiantum pedatum (Northern Maidenhair Fern)
Adiantum aleuticum (Maidenhair Fern)
Adiantum venustum (Himalayan Maidenhair)
Adiantum raddianum (Delta Maidenhair)

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While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.
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Requirements

Hardiness 8 - 11
Heat Zones 8 - 11
Climate Zones 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, H1, H2
Plant Type Ferns, Houseplants
Plant Family Pteridaceae
Genus Adiantum
Common names Maidenhair Fern
Exposure Partial Sun, Shade
Season of Interest Spring (Mid, Late)
Summer (Early, Mid, Late)
Fall
Height 1' - 2'
(30cm - 60cm)
Spread 1' - 2'
(30cm - 60cm)
Spacing 18" (50cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Average
Soil Type Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained
Characteristics Showy, Semi-Evergreen
Native Plants Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Midwest, Mississippi, Missouri, Nevada, New Mexico, North Carolina, Northeast, Ohio, Oklahoma, Rocky Mountains, South Carolina, South Dakota, Southeast, Southwest, Tennessee, Texas, United States, Utah, Virginia
Tolerance Full Shade, Deer
Garden Uses Beds And Borders, Ground Covers, Patio And Containers, Rain Gardens
Garden Styles Prairie and Meadow, Traditional Garden, Gravel and Rock Garden
How Many Plants
Do I Need?
Not sure which Adiantum (Maidenhair Fern) to pick?
Compare Now

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