Plant Library

Maidenhair Fern Care Guide

Adiantum raddianum

By the Plantshop.com Editorial Team · Updated 6 Nov 2026 · How we research · Report an error

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The maidenhair fern has delicate, fan-shaped leaflets on wiry black stems. It is beautiful and notoriously unforgiving of dry soil or dry air.

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Light

Medium indirect light; no direct sun. Rotate the pot every few weeks so growth stays even.

Water

Keep consistently moist; never let it dry out. Always use a pot with drainage holes and empty the saucer after watering. Plants use far less water in winter.

Humidity and temperature

Humidity: high. Most houseplants prefer 60-80°F (16-27°C) and dislike cold drafts and heating vents.

Soil and feeding

Use a well-draining potting mix with bark or perlite for air. Feed lightly in spring and summer with a balanced houseplant fertilizer at half strength; skip feeding in winter.

Our tip

Put it in a bathroom or kitchen and check the soil every couple of days.

Common problems

• Crispy fronds: Dried out once; cut back and keep moist, it often regrows.
• Yellowing: Too much direct sun.
• Rot: Waterlogged pot without drainage.

Pets

Adiantum is not on the ASPCA list; ask your vet if unsure. Check the ASPCA plant list. If a pet chews it and shows symptoms, call your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center. Check any plant in our Pet-Safe Plant Checker.