by Tracey Pestian, Morning Sun Manager

Did you know that Maidenhair Ferns (Adiantum) are not so difficult to maintain as indoor houseplants? Here are our secrets to taking care of these elegant, evergreen foliage plants with the beautiful lacy fronds:

1. Place them in a draft-free area with bright, indirect light or filtered sunlight. Nighttime temperatures should be 55 – 60 degrees.

2. They must have high humidity and consistently moist soil to thrive in your home. They work very well in a terrarium environment due to the humid conditions. If you do not have a terrarium, then you may provide additional humidity by placing the planter on a tray filled with pebbles that you can keep moistened, or place fresh sphagnum moss around your Maidenhair. Keep the soil evenly moist, although cutting back slightly on watering during the winter months. Ensure that her roots never dry out and do not let her sit in water for more than an hour or so.  

3. Feeding monthly from spring through mid-summer (half-strength is fine) will keep her healthy and allow her to resist pests.

4. Always remove dead fronds by cutting back the stem to the base of your Maidenhair.

5. When she becomes root-bound in her pot, gently re-pot her into the next larger size pot using a rich, well-draining potting mix. The planter should have plenty of drain-holes.

Once you have the care routine down, you will enjoy your lovely Maidenhair in all seasons!