Adiantum pedatum

Common Names

Maidenhair Fern, Northern Maidenhair Fern, American Maidenhair Fern, Five-Fingered Maidenhair Fern

Summary

Adiantum pedatum, commonly called the Northern Maidenhair Fern, is a deciduous fern native to eastern North America, it forms a slow spreading clump about 12 to 30 inches tall and 12 to 18 inches wide, with finely textured, fan shaped fronds arising from dark, wiry black stems, pink fiddleheads appear in spring, and fronds are palmately divided, reproducing by spores rather than flowers and spreading slowly by creeping rhizomes to form colonies, prefers moist, humus rich, acidic soils in full shade to part shade and should be kept consistently moist, avoid direct sun to prevent browning, hardy in zones 3 to 8, spreads slowly by creeping rhizomes and can be propagated by division in spring or by spores, generally pest free and deer seldom bother it, suitable for woodland landscapes, shade gardens, borders, and containers, where its delicate texture adds visual interest while providing wildlife cover

Lifecycle

Perennial

Height

1-3 feet

Spread

12-24 inches

Hardiness Zones

Zones 3-8

Sunlight Requirements

Partial shade to full shade, direct sunlight should be avoided, dappled sunlight tolerated.

Soil Type

Moist, well-drained, humus-rich soil with high organic matter, slightly acidic to neutral pH

Soil Drainage

Moist, well-drained soil.

Soil pH

Around pH 6, slightly acidic to neutral

Bloom Color

Insignificant

Bloom Time

Non-flowering

Foliage Color

Green

Fall Foliage Color

Green

Leaf Lifecycle

Deciduous

Growth Rate

Slow

Seasons of Interest

Spring, Summer, Fall

Propagation Methods

Division, Spores

Attracts Wildlife

Attracts songbirds and other pollinators/wildlife