About

This tender evergreen fern reaches heights of approximately 60 cm. It features black stems and triangular fronds that have rounded to triangular lobed segments. The fronds start as a pale green and deepen in color as they mature.

About the genus

Adiantum consists of ferns that may be either deciduous or evergreen, characterized by lustrous black stems. These ferns typically feature fronds that are either simple or, more commonly, divided pinnately. The individual segments can be fan-shaped, oblong, or rounded, and they produce spores beneath reflexed marginal flaps.

Growing conditions

Sunlight
Partial shade
Soil type
Loam
Soil pH
Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moisture
Moist but well-drained
Aspect
East-facing, North-facing, West-facing
Exposure
Sheltered
UK hardiness
H1C

Plant details

Plant type
Ferns, Conservatory Greenhouse, Houseplants
Habit
Clump forming, Bushy
Foliage
Evergreen
Height
0.1-0.5 metres
Spread
0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height
2-5 years
Suggested uses
Hanging basket, Houseplants, Sub-tropical
Native to
Tropical America: W Indies

Care notes

Cultivation
Grow as a house or conservatory plant indoors in a peat-free houseplant compost. Position the container in bright, indirect light with good ventilation. Water freely and apply a half strength, general liquid feed monthly from mid spring to late summer. Provide high humidity by placing the container on a tray of moist gravel or pebbles. Water sparingly in winter. See how to grow ferns as houseplants for further information
Pruning
Plant requires little pruning other than the removal of dead leaves
Propagation
Propagate by sowing spores as soon as ripe at a minimum of 21°C, or propagate by division of the rhizomes in early spring
Pest resistance
May be susceptible to scale insects
Disease resistance
Generally disease-free