Northern Maidenhair Fern (Adiantum pedatum)

Northern Maidenhair Fern (Adiantum pedatum) brings delicate texture to shaded gardens with bright green, fan-shaped leaf patterns and arching fronds. Wiry black stems contrast with the foliage, creating an airy display.

Plant it in a moist woodland garden or shaded border alongside hosta, heuchera, or cast iron plant for contrasting leaf shapes.

Growing details

• Plant type: Fern
• Mature height: 1–2.5 feet
• Spacing: Approximately 1 foot apart
• Hardiness: USDA zones 3–8
• Light: Part shade to full shade
• Soil: Moist, fertile, well-drained soil
• Foliage: Bright green fronds on wiry black stems
• Season of interest: Summer

Care and garden use

This low-maintenance fern needs regular water and does not tolerate drought well. Keep soil consistently moist, especially in Southern heat, to help prevent early browning of the fronds. Remove old fronds after new growth begins in spring.

Use as an accent or in grouped plantings, shaded borders, woodland gardens, naturalized areas, moist plantings near ponds and streams, or containers with suitable moisture and drainage.

Image credits: Walter Siegmund, Adiantum pedatum 09905, CC BY-SA 3.0; Cephas, Adiantum pedatum JB, CC BY-SA 3.0. Plants naturally vary in appearance and may differ from the images shown.