Adiantum pedatum L. Five Fingered Maidenhair Fern, American Maidenhair Fern, Northern Maidenhair Fern, or Five Fingered Fern
Adiantum pedatum L, with common fern names being Five Fingered Maidenhair fern, American Maidenhair fern, Northern Maidenhair fern, or Five finger Fern, is wonderful for shade gardens as you can see from the images.
Five Fingered Maidenhair ferns are deciduous with growth to approx. 45cm height, and a creeping short rhizome growth to form into a clump.
Stunning black stems and branches leading to green fronds spreading like five fingers, in spring the new fronds can be pink.
The range of this plant is North America to East Asia.
How to Grow Five Fingered Maidenhair Adiantum pedatum
Grow in full shade or partial shade in south, west, or east facing aspects, in sheltered or exposed settings. Shade loving ferns enjoy low maintenance informal garden settings such as beneath trees, bushes, and flower bed borders.
Height and Spread
- Full Height 0.1 to 0.5 metres taking 5 years to attain full height
- Spread 0.1-0.5 metres, clump forming
Cultivation
Cultivate in moderately fertile soil outdoors with humidity level medium to high, filtered light, and good ventilation. A monthly feed of a liquid fertiliser can be applied at half strength through the growing season.
Five Fingered Maidenhair Fern, American Maidenhair Fern, Northern Maidenhair Fern, Five Finger Fern – Adiantum pedatum L
Care of Adiantum pedatum
Five Fingered Maidenhair ferns do not require any pruning.
Damaged fronds can be removed in spring.
When kept under glass you can get issues with scale insects.
Propagate
Propagation is by spores. Plants can also be propagated by dividing the root ball
Diseases
Adiantum pedatum ferns are generally disease free
Name
Adiantum pedatum
Common Names
- Five Fingered Maidenhair fern
- Five Finger Maidenhair fern
- American Maidenhair fern
- Northern Maidenhair fern
- Five-fingered fern
- Five Finger fern
Family Pteridaceae
Genus Adiantum
Ferns
Read more about ferns species for shade gardens.