Delicate Fern Varieties

Southern Maidenhair: The Daintiest of Them All

• The southern maidenhair (Adiantum capillus-veneris) is among the more delicate ferns, probably the most delicate of the Adiantum species. Its black stems are wiry, but its ruffled, rounded leaves are thin and tender. It grows well in its natural environment, but as a house plant, it is extremely sensitive. According to Botanical Journeys Plant Guide, the southern maidenhair grows best in temperatures between 60 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Soil should be moist, and the fern should be kept out of direct sunlight. This fern requires high humidity, and benefits from frequent misting. A bathroom or a terrarium would be a suitable environment. Even with its delicate nature, this fern often is used in floral arrangements.

The American Maidenhair Fern

• The American maidenhair (Adiantum pendatum) resembles the common sword fern with its long straight fronds, but the American maidenhair's wiry dark stems hold its bluish-green fronds in a horizontal position almost parallel to the ground. The sword fern's fronds are upright unless their length causes them to droop. The American maidenhair fern grows to a height from 2 to 3 feet, and equals its height in its spread. Outdoors, this fern requires shade and plenty of moisture. The American maidenhair tolerates cold fairly well. It grows in USDA hardiness zones 3 to 8, but it isn't the best choice as a houseplant. Its leaves are sensitive to the touch and bruise easily, causing them to turn black. It also requires high humidity inside.

A South American Maidenhair

• Adiantum raddianum, or delta maidenhair, is native to Brazil and Venezuela. It is touchy as a houseplant, but with proper care you can enjoy its beautiful foliage all year. It requires high humidity and moist soil. Less sensitive to temperature changes than the southern maidenhair, it will survive well at 60 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit. According to the Guide to Houseplants, an online plant encyclopedia, the raddianum should be kept out of drying drafts, and misted at least twice daily to prevent leaflets from shriveling. Keep this fern out of direct sunlight, but it will take moderate to bright light. Maximum height of this variety of maidenhair is about 15 inches.

The Sturdiest of the Delicate

• The varieties of maidenhair ferns are many, but, although all are more delicate than most other ferns, the rosy maidenhair (Adiantum hispidulum) is among the sturdier of the maidenhair varieties. According to Big Dipper Farm, growers in Black Diamond, Washington, it is often used in rock gardens in the humid Southern coastal areas of the United States. Inland, where the air is drier, the rosy maidenhair is deciduous in winter, but does well as a houseplant. This small fern's graceful fronds are a rosy-bronze when young. The plant grows to a height of from 8 to 14 inches.