Adiantum pedatum (Maidenhair Fern) Unity Grown

Adiantum pedatum, commonly called maidenhair fern, is an elegant, native perennial fern that stands out from other ferns of the eastern US due to its shiny, dark stems and its delicate, nearly circular fan-shaped fronds. Differing from many other North American ferns, Adiantum pedatum produces fronds atop of narrow central stems, which grow from a dense mat of creeping, rhizomatic roots. Maidenhair fern prefers cool, moist soil in part or full shade, but can also thrive in hot humid climates as long as the soil does not remain dry for extended periods.

This deciduous fern is an easy to grow, low maintenance addition to shady gardens and naturalized areas, and functions as an excellent ornamental and partial groundcover at a manageable height of 12-30" tall and up to about a foot wide, though plants may form small clumps with their spreading roots. Adiantum pedatum is compact enough to be grown in containers, but extra care must be taken to ensure that they don't dry out.