Adiantum pedatum – Northern Maidenhair Fern; Five-fingered Fern

General Information: Often used in hanging baskets or pots, this easy-to-grow native is graceful and delicate. One of the most unique ferns. The elegance of the fronds adds texture to a shade garden – dark stems and a unique a circular shape. Dainty, yet tough and rugged, and deer-resistant as well!

Cultivation Details: Deciduous. Prefers moist, well-drained soil. See our other listings for Christmas Ferns (evergreen), and Japanese-painted Fern (one of the most colorful ferns) for companion planting ideas.

Growing Requirements: Plant in a fully shaded location, or in dappled sun. When planted in full shade, they perform best if they can also get an hour or two of morning or afternoon sun. Plants receiving too much sun will scorch. Prefers moist to wet well-drained soils. Succeeds in nearly all soil types. Suitable for mildly acidic, neutral, or mildly alkaline soils. Grows largest in alkaline soils.

Fun Facts: The translation for the genus Adiantum is “non-wetting,” referencing the fronds’ ability to shed rainwater, so they never appear wet. Additionally, the common name “Maidenhair” references one of the plant’s traditional uses, as a hair wash. Maidens were said to wash their hair with an infusion from the plant, and it would make their hair as shiny and durable as the thin black stems of the plant. This plant also has a history of medicinal use among Indigenous peoples of Eastern North America.