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Maidenhair Fern Care
Adiantum
Basic Maidenhair Fern Care
Maidenhair Ferns are best suited to experienced plant parents as they can be quite fussy about their care and environment. Below is our complete Maidenhair Fern care guide with all the information you need to raise a happy and healthy fern!
Low Light
I prefer a shady spot as too much sunlight will damage my leaves.
Water Frequently
I like my soil to be moist so make sure to water me often.
High Humidity
I thrive in humid environments so please mist my leaves every so often.
Potting Soil
I need soil specifically for indoor plants as it retains the right amount of water.
Detailed Maidenhair Fern Care Information
Whether you're looking to make sure your Maidenhair Fern is in it's perfect conditions, or looking to see if one could work for your space. We've got you covered.

Maidenhair Ferns need a shady spot
The number 1 thing to know when caring for a Maidenhair Fern is that they don’t survive well in sunny areas. Avoid any direct light as this will immediately scorch the leaves.
They love moist soil
It is important that your Maidenhair Fern’s soil stays moist, but not waterlogged. We recommend ensuring good drainage in the pot so that the excess water can flow out. Water little and often to avoid the soil drying too much.
High humidity is a necessity
Maidenhair Ferns can be quite difficult to care for because they require constant attention to make sure the humidity levels are up. The easiest way to do this is by misting your Maidenhair Fern daily or by using a pebble tray underneath the fern.
Maidenhair Ferns need warmer temperatures
They will not survive so well in cooler rooms so make sure they are not near any drafty windows or doors. Anything below average room temperature will be too cold for your Maidenhair Fern.
Fertilising is optional
If you do choose to fertilise your Maidenhair Fern, make sure you use a weak soluble fertiliser. Also only feed during the growth months or spring and summer.
Maidenhair Ferns are safe for pets
Although we never recommend allowing your pet to nibble on your houseplants, Maidenhair Ferns are safe for pets so you don’t need to worry too much about placing them out of reach.
Propagate your Maidenhair Fern using division
If you want to propagate your Maidenhair Fern, we recommend diving the mother fern in two or three parts. Make sure that each fern has a good percentage of the overall root system to ensure survival and growth.
Maidenhair Fern FAQs
Quick and simple answers to the most common questions we see about the Maidenhair Fern.
Maidenhair Ferns are fairly slow-growing houseplants so don’t expect there to be constantly new leaves popping out from every stem.
Yes, in fact, Maidenhair Ferns thrive in lower light levels. They hate bright direct light as they burn and dry out very quickly.
You want to take a little but often approach to watering your Maidenhair Fern in order to keep the soil event moist.
Maidenhair Ferns are safe and non-toxic so are perfect for every home!
Maidenhair Fern Care Starter Kit
We've put together this great little starter kit that includes all of the equipment and information you'll need to take proper care of your Maidenhair Fern.

Common Problems with your Maidenhair Fern
Here are some common issues that you might run into. It's important to diagnose any issues early to give your plant the best chance of bouncing back.
If your Maidenhair Fern’s leaves are curling inwards, this is an indication that they air is too dry. Try increasing the humidity levels and the leaves should return to normal fairly quickly.
Brown leaf tips on a Maidenhair Fern are a sign that the humidity levels are too low. Try moving it to the kitchen or bathroom where there is naturally higher humidity.
If your Maidenhair Fern is dropping leaves quite regularly, it is an indication that the air too dry. Try misting your fern at least once a day and leaves should stop falling as often.
Brown leaves on a Maidenhair Fern could be a sign of two things. Either your fern is receiving too much sunlight or it is sensitive to the water. This often occurs in a hard water area. We recommend letting the water sit for a day so the fluoride evaporates or using rainwater.
Simple Maidenhair Fern Care Requirements
It sometimes helps to take caring for your plants back to the basics, here's the key considerations that you should take into account when caring for your Adiantum.
These simple points should give you all you need to keep your plant happy and healthy for years to come.
Common Name | Maidenhair Fern |
Latin Name | Adiantum |
Light | Low Light |
Water | Water Frequently |
Humidity | High Humidity |
Soil Type | Potting Soil |