Native Plant Database

Header Photo: Mervin Wallace

Southern Maidenhair Fern

Adiantum capillus-veneris
Plant Type: Ferns
Native Environment: Forest
Season of Interest:
Main Color: Green, Yellow
Fall Color: Yellow

USDA PLANTS Range Map

At the range map link above, zoom in for county-level data

Sun Exposure 
Soil
Moisture
High
Nature Attracting
Wildlife Benefit
Animal
Resistance
Size

Height:

10 to
18
inches

Spread:

15 to
24
inches
Size
Height: 10 to
18
inches
Spread: 15 to
24
inches
Size
Height: 10 to
18
inches
Spread: 15 to
24
inches
Typical Landscape Use
Useful in high pH/alkaline soils in the shade. Would enhance shade water garden rockery.
Establishment and Care Instructions
This Maidenhair fern prefers permanent wet crevices in limestone overhangs where other plants may have difficulty growing. Very difficult to grow in gardens.
Special Features
Special Usage
Ground Cover
Basic Description

The Maidenhair ferns are delicate in appearance. The Southern Maidenhair Fern is very similar to the Maidenhair Fern although the delicate mid-green leaves ‘hang’ from the shiny, dark stems in a zig-zag pattern on this species, forming a fine textured mound above the wiry, dark stems. A deciduous fern.

Where Should I Start?

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Where Can I Find This Plant in Nature?

Learn about the Native Environment(s) inhabited by the plants in this database.

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