About

Adiantum raddianum 'Brilliantelse' is a semi-evergreen fern that can reach up to 50 cm in height. When cultivated indoors, it may retain its foliage year-round. This fern features sleek black stems that support fronds made up of rounded, lobed leaf segments in a light green hue. In spring, the leaflets exhibit a pink to red tint before maturing to green.

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
Neutral, Alkaline
Soil moisture
Moist but well-drained
Aspect
West-facing, East-facing, North-facing
Exposure
Sheltered
UK hardiness
H1C

Plant details

Plant type
Ferns, Conservatory Greenhouse, Houseplants
Habit
Clump forming
Foliage
Semi evergreen, Evergreen
Height
0.1-0.5 metres
Spread
0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height
2-5 years
Suggested uses
Patio and container plants, Houseplants, Cottage and informal garden

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
Can trim back any faded growth in winter if required or wait for new growth to start emerging in spring
Propagation
Propagate by division of the rhizomes in early spring
Pest resistance
May be susceptible to scale insects
Disease resistance
Generally disease-free