wetland fern
Common maidenhair
Adiantum capillus-veneris
Native to much of the USA
Virginia to Florida, west to Kentucky, southern Missouri, southwestern Colorado and California; south to South America. Also Eurasia.
- Light Part shade to shade Sun tolerance
- Moisture Moist to wet Moisture preference
- Zones 4–11 Cold to heat range
- Bloom Flowering time
- Height 6–20 in 15–51 cm
- Life cycle Perennial Annual to perennial
In the garden
A wetland fern for part to full shade and consistently moist to wet soil. At 6–20 in, it suits rain gardens, pond edges, and damp low spots. Hardy in USDA zones 4–11.
Growing conditions
Light
Full sun Partial shade Full shade
Moisture
Dry Moist Wet
Hardiness zones
Find your zone:
Full plant details
Where it grows
- Habitat
- WetlandThe wild plant community it grows in.
- Native range
- Much of the USAUnited States (21): AL, AR, AZ, CA, CO, FL, GA, KY, LA, MD, MO, MS, NC, NM, NV, OK, SC, TN, TX, UT, VA. Where it grows wild on its own, by state and province.
- Native distribution
- Virginia to Florida, west to Kentucky, southern Missouri, southwestern Colorado and California; south to South America. Also Eurasia.The same native range, usually more exact than the state list, and often noting where it has spread beyond it.
Growing conditions
- Light
- Part shade to shadeHow much sun it takes, from full sun to full shade.
- Moisture
- Moist to wetThe soil dampness it prefers, from dry to wet.
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 4–11 · Canadian 4–8The cold-to-heat climate range it survives.
- Soil
- Moist, well-drained sand, loam or limestone. Can occur as an attached mass growing directly on rock outcroppings where moisture is presentThe soils it grows in naturally.
- Soil texture
- Light to heavy (sandy to clay)The soil grade it prefers, from sand to clay.
- Soil pH
- 6.0–8.0The acidity to alkalinity it tolerates (7 is neutral).
- Soil quality
- LowHow rich a soil it needs. Many natives prefer lean soil and flop in rich beds.
- Water use
- Medium to highHow thirsty it is, a rough guide to how often to water.
- Salinity tolerance
- NoneHow well it copes with salty soil, near roads or the coast.
- Lime (CaCO₃) tolerance
- HighHow well it copes with chalky, lime-rich soil.
Growth & form
- Height
- 6–20 in (15–51 cm)Typical mature height.
- Spread
- ~1 ft (0.3 m)How wide one plant gets, a guide to spacing.
- Life cycle
- PerennialWhether it lives a single season (annual), two (biennial), or returns for years (perennial).
- Growth rate
- ModerateA relative ranking versus other plants of the same type (USDA), not an absolute rate.
- Shape
- ErectIts overall silhouette.
- Root depth
- 2+ in (5+ cm)How far the roots reach, a guide to drought resilience and transplanting.
Flowers, foliage & fruit
- Type
- FernWhat kind of plant it is.
- Flower color
- Not ApplicableThe bloom color, or colors.
- Toxicity
- None knownWhether any part is poisonous to people or pets.
Propagation & seed
- Cold stratification
- Not requiredWhether seed needs a cold, moist spell before it will germinate.
- Propagation
- Bare root, seedHow to start new plants.
- Seed
- ~3 million seeds per poundNotes on the seed and how to sow it.
- Seed spread rate
- SlowHow readily it self-sows. Slow or none means well-behaved, not a spreader.
- Seedling vigor
- MediumHow strongly young seedlings establish.
- Vegetative spread
- SlowWhether it creeps outward or stays put in a clump.