About
This small deciduous fern features delicate, finely divided fronds in a vibrant green hue, which are held aloft by dark-colored stems.
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, Clay, Chalk
- Soil pH
- Neutral, Acid, Alkaline
- Soil moisture
- Moist but well-drained
- Aspect
- West-facing, East-facing
- Exposure
- Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H5
Plant details
- Plant type
- Ferns
- Habit
- Clump forming, Matforming
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- 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, Cottage and informal garden
- Toxicity
- Harmful if eaten. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling. Pets: Harmful if eaten. For further information and contact numbers regarding pets, see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants
Care notes
- Cultivation
- Plant in a moist but free draining soil in partial shade. Makes an effective shady border edging.
- Pruning
- Can trim back faded growth in winter or wait for new growth to start emerging in spring.
- Propagation
- Propagate by division
- Pest resistance
- Generally pest-free
- Disease resistance
- Generally disease-free