General Plant Information (Edit)
Plant Habit: Fern
Life cycle: Perennial
Sun Requirements: Full Sun
Partial Shade to Full Shade
Water Preferences: Wet Mesic
Mesic
Minimum cold hardiness: Zone 3 -40 °C (-40 °F) to -37.2 °C (-35)
Maximum recommended zone: Zone 8a
Plant Height: 12 to 24 inches
Plant Spread: 12 to 24 inches
Leaves: Unusual foliage color
Deciduous
Flowers: Inconspicuous
Underground structures: Rhizome
Uses: Groundcover
Propagation: Other methods: Division
Other: spores

Image
Common names
  • Northern Maidenhair Fern
  • Northern maidenhair
  • Maidenhair Fern
  • Five-fingered Maidenhair
  • Five-finger fern
  • American Maidenhair Fern
  • American Maidenhair

Photo Gallery
Location: Fairfax, VA | September 2022
Date: 2022-09-11
Location: Del Norte county, Ca. amongst the Redwoods
Date: 2007-06-07
Northern 5 finger Maidenhair
Location: Puyallup,Washington
Date: 2014-04-25
I own property that have these growing wild. Thats where I got th
Location: Millinocket, Maine
Date: 2023-08-10
Location: Apple Valley MN
Date: 2020-05-06
Location: Northwest N.J.
Date: 2011-10-10

Date: 2021-09-29
gift.
Location: Riverview, Robson, B.C. 
Date: 2007-05-25
An overhead shot - beautiful patterns made by the swirling crowns
Location: Hosta kitchen garden - morning sun only.
Date: 2012-0504
Photo by sedumzz
Location: my Zone 7b garden in North Georgia Mountains
Date: 2023-04-28
Location: Apple Valley MN
Date: 2019-09-28
Spores on the underside of the Northern Maidenhair Fern
Location: Millinocket, Maine
Date: 2022-08-16
First summer
Location: My garden in N E Pa. 
Date: 2014-05-29
Location: Botanical Garden Cologne (Germany)
Date: 2017-08-14
Location: Botanical Garden Cologne (Germany)
Date: 2017-08-14

Date: 2021-09-29
Location: my back yard
Date: 2010-05-10
Location: VanDusen Botanical Garden in Vancouver
Date: July 2005
photo by Stan Shebs
Location: KALAMA WA
  • Uploaded by Joy
Location: Apple Valley MN
Date: 2018-05-06

Date: 2021-09-25
Photo by robertduval14
Location: My Garden
Date: 2015-09-28
Location: Riverview, Robson, B.C.   
Date: 2012-05-29
Spring fresh young leaves: layer upon layer.
Location: my back yard
Date: 2010-05-10
Misc. hosta, ferns and other perennials with Maidenhair fern
Location: KALAMA WA
  • Uploaded by Joy
Location: Primorsky Kraj, Russia
Date: 1999
Northern Maidenhair Fern (Adiantum pedatum). Wild plant in natura
Location: KALAMA WA
Date: 2016-05-08
  • Uploaded by Joy
Location: Lucketts, Loudoun County, Virginia
Date: 2016-03-27
Emerging spring growth
Photo by MaryDurtschi
Location: Squak Mountain State Park, Issaquah, Washington
photo credit: Walter Siegmund
Photo by sedumzz

Photo Courtesy of Homestead Farms Nursery. Used with Permission.
  • Uploaded by Joy
Location: Front rock garden
Date: 2014-09-19
Under the cherry tree for shade
Photo by sedumzz
Location: East garden
Date: May 2015
Location: Apple Valley MN
Date: 2018-05-20
Location: Cedarhome, Washington
Date: 2013-07-20
Location: Five-finger fern on Berry Creek Falls Trail in Big Basin Redwoods
Date: 2007-11-13
Photo courtesy of: Miguel Vieira

Courtesy Crownsville Nursery
  • Uploaded by vic
Location: Western Washington

Date: 2011-08-17
Location: Lucketts, Loudoun County, Virginia
Date: 2014-09-07
Location: Washington
Date: 2016-04-20
Location: Allentown, Pennsylvania
Date: 2015-05-07
I love this aspect of the fern - the thin almost black stems risi

Date: 2004-04-29
Steven J. Baskauf http://bioimages.vanderbilt.edu/

Date: 2004-04-29
Steven J. Baskauf http://bioimages.vanderbilt.edu/
Location: Central Pennsylvania
Date: 2020-08-01
Location: Apple Valley MN
Date: 2017-06-21
Location: Allentown, Pennsylvania
Date: 2015-04-22
vulnerable as a new baby...
Location: my back yard
Date: 2012-05-15

Courtesy Crownsville Nursery
  • Uploaded by vic
Location: KALAMA WA
  • Uploaded by Joy

Photo Courtesy of Lazy S'S Farm Nursery.
  • Uploaded by Joy

Photo Courtesy of Lazy S'S Farm Nursery.
  • Uploaded by Joy

Photo Courtesy of Lazy S'S Farm Nursery.
  • Uploaded by Joy
This plant is tagged in:
Image Image Image Image Image Image Image Image Image Image Image Image

Comments:
  • Posted by Bonehead (Planet Earth - Zone 8b) on Oct 14, 2016 8:38 AM concerning plant:
    Native in the Pacific NW, found in moist rocky forests, along waterways, and in the spray of waterfalls. The foliage sheds rain, and may be used medicinally for strength and endurance. The name "maidenhair" is indicative of the fine black hair-like stalks, dark root hairs, and its use by native peoples as a hair tonic to bring out golden highlights. It is a delicate fern, very striking in masses. I find that it burns easily if given too much sun. Colonizes slowly.
  • Posted by SongofJoy (Clarksville, TN - Zone 6b) on Jan 18, 2012 3:59 AM concerning plant:
    Maidenhair Fern is one of the most beautiful of all the eastern native ferns. Fronds (leaves) grow to about 2 feet in height with shiny black stems. The stems fork near the top into 2 semi-circles holding numerous soft green leaflets. The aspect of Maidenhair Fern is delicate and airy. Use it for its texture. The leaflets flutter in the slightest breeze. Maidenhair Fern needs shade and rich, moist, but well-drained soil. It can take calcareous conditions and spreads moderately by creeping rhizomes.
Plant Events from our members
aspenhill On May 24, 2017 Obtained plant
Black Creek Greenhouse - qty 3
aspenhill On May 20, 2015 Obtained plant
picked up May 15, 2015 North Creek Nursery - qty 2; FB
aspenhill On May 20, 2013 Obtained plant
North Creek Nursery - qty 32; TG
aspenhill On September 22, 2012 Obtained plant
Green Spring Plant Sale - qty 2
» Post your own event for this plant

« Add a new plant to the database

« The Plants Database Front Page