Why are the fronds turning brown?

The plant likely needs higher humidity or is receiving too much direct light.

Can I grow this in a bathroom?

Yes, the naturally higher humidity makes a bathroom an excellent location.

Plant guide

Maidenhair fern.

Adiantum capillus-veneris

Pronounced ad-ee-AN-tum ka-PIL-lus ven-ER-is

Also known as Black Maidenhair, Maidenhair Fern, Southern Maidenhair, Venus Maidenhair, Venus maidenhair fern, Venus' Hair-fern, Venus'-hair fern, Venus's hair fern

The maidenhair fern is a delicate beauty known for its graceful, arching fronds and thin, dark stems. It thrives in humid environments and adds a soft, airy texture to any indoor space. You will love how its bright green foliage brightens up a shady corner.

At a glance

Care level: Difficult
Plant type: Fern
Light: Filtered light or partial shade
Indoor light: Bright indirect
Water: Every 3 to 7 days
Mature size: 12 to 24 inches
Growth rate: Medium
Hardiness: USDA 7 to 10
Bloom time: None, as it is a spore-bearing fern.

Care

Keep the soil consistently moist but never soggy to prevent the fronds from drying out. High humidity is essential, so consider placing it in a bathroom or using a pebble tray. Watch for browning leaf tips, which often signal that the air is too dry or the plant needs more water.

Watering: Keep the soil evenly damp to the touch at all times.
Feeding: Use a balanced liquid fertilizer diluted to half strength during the growing season.
Pruning: Trim away any dead or yellowing fronds at the base to encourage new growth.
Repotting: Move to a slightly larger pot only when the roots have filled the current container.
Soil: Peat based, well draining potting mix
Soil pH: 6.0 to 7.0
Temperature: 5 to 25°C
Humidity: 60 to 90%
Drought tolerance: Low
Lifespan: Perennial, typically 5 to 10 years with proper care.
Deer and rabbits: Moderate

Signs it needs repotting

Roots growing out of the drainage holes
Water running straight through the pot without soaking in
Stunted growth during the active season

Safety

People: It is generally considered non-toxic, but ingestion should be avoided.
Children: The plant is fragile and easily damaged by small hands, but it poses no significant safety risk.
Contact allergens: The fronds are soft and generally do not cause skin irritation.
Airborne allergens: Spore release can occasionally trigger mild respiratory sensitivity in susceptible individuals.
Edibility: This plant is not considered edible and may cause stomach upset if ingested.

How to identify it

Fan shaped leaflets on dark stems
Delicate, arching fronds
Thin, wiry black stalks
Bright green, papery texture

Height: 0.15 to 0.4m
Spread: 0.2 to 0.5m
Leaves: bright green, evergreen
Flowers: 0cm

Problems to watch for

Frond BrowningCommon
Leaf ScorchCommon
Root RotUncommon
Scale InsectsUncommon

By symptom

Plant problems by symptom

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Growing it

Propagation: division, spores
When to plant: spring, early autumn
Overwintering: Keep the plant in a frost-free environment and maintain consistent moisture. Avoid placing it near heating vents which dry out the air.
In containers: It grows very well in pots, provided they have drainage and are kept consistently moist.

Division

1. Gently remove the plant from its pot.
2. Use a sharp, clean knife to divide the root ball into sections.
3. Repot each section in fresh, damp potting mix.

Group moisture-loving plants together to create a microclimate that raises ambient humidity for all of them.

Grows well with

Peace Lily · They share similar requirements for shade and high humidity.
Bird's Nest Fern · These ferns create a lush, layered look in a shaded display.

Similar species

Delta Maidenhair · A very popular indoor relative with similar delicate foliage.

Science

Family: Pteridaceae
Genus: Adiantum
Order: Polypodiales
Class: Polypodiopsida
Native range: Widespread in temperate and tropical regions across the globe.
Conservation: It is not currently listed as endangered, though it should never be collected from the wild.

It grows in moist, shaded environments, often clinging to damp rock walls or near water sources.

Value to wildlife: provides cover for small insects
Uses: indoor houseplant, terrarium specimen, shaded rock garden

Through the year

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Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

Salinity: 1/9
Soil reaction: 7/9
Light: 2/9
Temperature: 5/9
Moisture: 8/9
Nutrients: 4/9

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Why are the fronds turning brown?: The plant likely needs higher humidity or is receiving too much direct light.
Can I grow this in a bathroom?: Yes, the naturally higher humidity makes a bathroom an excellent location.

Where the name comes from

The name Adiantum comes from the Greek word for unwetted, referring to the fronds' ability to shed water, while capillus-veneris refers to the hair of the goddess Venus.

Good to know

The species name capillus-veneris translates to hair of Venus.
It thrives in the mist of waterfalls and damp limestone crevices.
The fronds are naturally water-repellent.

Also in

Plants for shade

Keep your maidenhair fern growing

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This guide was generated with AI on September 26, 2026 and checked against GBIF taxonomy. It is general information, not horticultural or veterinary advice. Read about how we build these guides.