Often used in hanging baskets or pots, this easy-to-grow native is graceful and delicate. One of the most unique ferns. Its elegance adds texture to a shade garden; dark stems, with fronds that form a circular shape. Dainty, yet tough and rugged, also deer-resistant.

Plant in a shaded location, but these do seem to enjoy an hour or two of morning sun. 

Deciduous.
Moist well-drained soil.
Full to partial shade, dappled sun is okay.

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 many aromatic uses, its use in shampoos. Traditionally, the plant has been used to treat coughs, congestion, bronchitis, menstrual cramps, and pre-hair loss.

See our other listings for Christmas ferns (evergreen), and Japanese-painted fern, one of the most colorful ferns.