Northern Maidenhair Fern
Adiantum pedatum
Also listed as Adiantum americanum, Adiantum boreale
Also known as Maidenhair Fern, Northern Maidenhair, Five-finger Fern
Climate Match for your location
See how well Northern Maidenhair Fern grows in your area.
Enter your ZIP code and we'll show you how this plant fits your local climate.
A delicate deciduous fern with fine, lacy, fan-shaped fronds that emerge from wiry black stems. It thrives in shaded woodland conditions with consistent moisture and makes an elegant addition to shaded gardens and containers.
Why grow it
Northern maidenhair fern offers finer, more delicate foliage than many native North American ferns, with distinctly black petioles that provide visual interest even in deep shade. It tolerates drier conditions than many shade ferns once established, making it more adaptable to woodland edges and under tree canopies where moisture fluctuates seasonally. The deciduous habit means it requires less maintenance than evergreen ferns and naturally clears away each spring.
Watch out for
This fern prefers consistent moisture during its growing season and may struggle in areas with prolonged dry spells or low humidity without supplemental watering. It can take one to two seasons to become fully established before reaching its mature size, so patience is needed before assessing its performance in a new site.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Pteridaceae
Native to the United States
Native Range
Eastern North America
Native to: Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Delaware, Georgia, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, North Carolina, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Virginia, Vermont, Wisconsin, West Virginia
Seasonality
Season of Interest
Herb
Soft non-woody plants of the field layer.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Flood Tolerance
pH Range
Soil Texture
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
A delicate deciduous fern with fine, lacy, fan-shaped fronds that emerge from wiry black stems. It thrives in shaded woodland conditions with consistent moisture and makes an elegant addition to shaded gardens and containers.
Climate Match for your location
See how well Northern Maidenhair Fern grows in your area.
Enter your ZIP code and we'll show you how this plant fits your local climate.
Why grow it
Northern maidenhair fern offers finer, more delicate foliage than many native North American ferns, with distinctly black petioles that provide visual interest even in deep shade. It tolerates drier conditions than many shade ferns once established, making it more adaptable to woodland edges and under tree canopies where moisture fluctuates seasonally. The deciduous habit means it requires less maintenance than evergreen ferns and naturally clears away each spring.
Watch out for
This fern prefers consistent moisture during its growing season and may struggle in areas with prolonged dry spells or low humidity without supplemental watering. It can take one to two seasons to become fully established before reaching its mature size, so patience is needed before assessing its performance in a new site.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Pteridaceae
Native to the United States
Native Range
Eastern North America
Native to: Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Delaware, Georgia, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, North Carolina, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Virginia, Vermont, Wisconsin, West Virginia
Seasonality
Season of Interest
Herb
Soft non-woody plants of the field layer.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Flood Tolerance
pH Range
Soil Texture
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
Similar herbs you might consider:
Enter your ZIP code to see top native species and strong climate fits for you.