Maidenhair Ferns

Maidenhair Ferns (Adiantum species) are among the most elegant ferns available for both gardens and indoor growing. Their delicate foliage, graceful habit and attractive dark stems make them favourites with gardeners around the world.

Although many species look similar at first glance, they can differ considerably in size, growth habit, hardiness and growing requirements. Some are excellent indoor plants, others perform best in shaded garden beds, while a few make outstanding hanging basket specimens.

This guide compares some of the most popular Maidenhair Fern species and cultivars, including Adiantum fulvum, Adiantum aethiopicum, Adiantum hispidulum, Adiantum trapeziforme, Adiantum gracillimum and Adiantum raddianum ‘Fritz Lüthi’, helping you choose the right fern for your garden or home.

Maidenhair Fern Quick Comparison Table

Species	Common Name	Best Use	Height	Indoor Growing	Garden Growing
Adiantum fulvum	New Zealand Maidenhair Fern	Hanging baskets, containers	30–60 cm	Excellent	Good
Adiantum raddianum	Delta Maidenhair Fern	Indoor displays	30–50 cm	Excellent	Limited
Adiantum raddianum ‘Fritz Lüthi’	Fritz Lüthi Maidenhair Fern	Decorative indoor containers	20–40 cm	Excellent	Limited
Adiantum aethiopicum	Common Maidenhair Fern	Australian gardens	20–50 cm	Good	Excellent
Adiantum hispidulum	Rough Maidenhair Fern	Shade gardens	30–60 cm	Moderate	Excellent
Adiantum gracillimum	Slender Maidenhair Fern	Indoor collections, terrariums	20–40 cm	Excellent	Moderate
Adiantum trapeziforme	Giant Maidenhair Fern	Feature containers, tropical gardens	60–120 cm	Good	Excellent
Adiantum pedatum	Northern Maidenhair Fern	Cool climate gardens	30–60 cm	Limited	Excellent

Adiantum fulvum (New Zealand Maidenhair Fern)

Best known for its bronze-pink new growth and graceful habit, this species is one of the most ornamental Maidenhair Ferns available.

Best For

• Hanging baskets
• Indoor containers
• Shaded patios

Adiantum raddianum (Delta Maidenhair Fern)

The species most commonly sold as an indoor Maidenhair Fern.

Best For

• Indoor pots
• Bathrooms
• Bright filtered light

Adiantum raddianum ‘Fritz Lüthi’

A popular cultivar of Adiantum raddianum, ‘Fritz Lüthi’ is valued for its dense growth habit and fresh lime-green foliage. It is often considered one of the most attractive forms for indoor cultivation and performs well in hanging baskets and decorative pots.

Best For

• Indoor pots
• Hanging baskets
• Bathrooms
• Bright filtered light

Adiantum aethiopicum (Common Maidenhair Fern)

An Australian native species that spreads readily in moist shaded positions.

Best For

• Garden beds
• Naturalistic plantings
• Underplanting trees

Adiantum gracillimum (Slender Maidenhair Fern)

One of the most delicate and refined Maidenhair Ferns, Adiantum gracillimum is prized for its finely divided foliage and compact growth habit. It is particularly suited to indoor growing, terrariums and sheltered shaded positions where humidity levels remain high.

Best For

• Indoor growing
• Terrariums
• Small containers
• Collectors

Adiantum hispidulum (Rough Maidenhair Fern)

A tougher species with slightly coarser foliage and greater tolerance of outdoor conditions.

Best For

• Shade gardens
• Fern collections
• Outdoor landscaping

Adiantum pedatum (Northern Maidenhair Fern)

A cold-hardy woodland fern from North America with a distinctive umbrella-shaped growth habit.

Best For

• Cool climate gardens
• Woodland plantings
• Frost-prone regions

Adiantum trapeziforme (Giant Maidenhair Fern)

A much larger species than most Maidenhair Ferns, Adiantum trapeziforme develops impressive broad fronds and makes an excellent feature plant in frost-free gardens and large containers. Given adequate moisture and protection from direct sun it can become a striking specimen.

Best For

• Tropical gardens
• Large containers
• Shaded courtyards
• Feature planting

Which Maidenhair Fern is easiest to grow?

Species	Indoor Difficulty
A. fulvum	Moderate
A. raddianum	Moderate
A. raddianum ‘Fritz Lüthi’	Moderate
A. aethiopicum	Easy outdoors
A. hispidulum	Easy
A. gracillimum	Challenging
A. trapeziforme	Moderate
A. pedatum	Easy outdoors

Which Maidenhair Fern is Best?

Best Indoor Maidenhair Fern

Adiantum raddianum and Adiantum fulvum.

Best Maidenhair Fern for Australian Gardens

Adiantum aethiopicum and Adiantum hispidulum.

Most Ornamental Maidenhair Fern

Adiantum fulvum because of its coloured new growth.

Most Cold-Hardy Maidenhair Fern

Adiantum pedatum.

Care and growing conditions

Maidenhair Ferns grow well is a moist shady position and do well in containers indoors. A well lit area but with indirect light is best. Maidenhair Ferns will grow to 1m depending on species and conditions. They do not like cold and although they like moisture do not like soggy conditions.

Many home gardeners find the bathroom a good position for maidenhair ferns, they do enjoy the humidity, try to water with tepid water rather than cold water straight from the tap.

If the maidenhair ferns does dry out soak the whole pot in tepid water.

Propagation is easiest by division but also possible from spores.

Maidenhair fern Fertilizer and Care

We use a liquid seaweed based fertilizer with all Maidenhair ferns, the occasional application of some worm castings or liquid worm waste, seems to work well. A saucer of water placed beneath the pot will provide the humidity that these ferns like, but remember to sit the pot above the water on some stones or ‘pot feet’.

Pests and Problems

If allowed to dry out your fern may appear dead, try a good soaking (overnight) in a weak liquid fertilizer solution and you may be surprised as it comes back to life. Aphids can be controlled with a pyrethrum spray.

Other Maidenhair Fern problems

1. Overwatering
   These plants do like moisture, however not wet soggy soils. Over time, Maidehair Ferns grown in pots will need to be repotted as the potting mix breaks down. Generally every 2 years, sometimes every year.
2. Very low light
   In low light, plants will use less moisture, so again do not over water.
3. Over fertilising
   To much fertiliser can burn the roots of potted plants.
4. Lack of humidity These are a fern that like a humid situation, mist spray, or grow them in the bathroom. You can also place the container on a tray or saucer pebbles with water in it. The pot/containers sits above the water, so the roots do not get to wet, the water in the saucer increases humidity.
5. Drying and Yellowing Foliage
   Generally caused by lack of humidity or under watering.
6. Cold and Heat
   Maidenhair ferns like warmth, not heat and not cold.

Prices

Maidenhair ferns vary in cost depending on variety and pot size. A small specimen will come in at $8 – 10. A larger plant in a hanging basket will be at $25 +. By mail order, postage will be extra

Where To Buy

Maidenhair Ferns are available for sale online from the following participating nurseries

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JohnnyA