The brittle maidenhair fern is a herbaceous perennial species that is native to Florida as well as the tropics and subtropics of Central and South America. It has a rhizomatous root system and grows in shaded, moist, limestone ledges in wet tropical climates. This fern has delicate and lacy fronds that are triangular in shape. The fronds are divided into many leaflets and arranged on both sides of a central rachis. Its common name is derived from its leaflets brittle texture. The brittle maidenhair fern is a member of the ribbon-fern family (Pteridaceae). This fern prefers bright, indirect light to full shade, and moist, well-drained peat-based potting mix with perlite or sand with an acidic pH. Water the fern when the top 1-inch of soil feels dry. Warm temperatures between 60 to 75 degrees are recommended. Avoid cold drafts and sudden temperature changes. The humidity level should be between 50 to 70%. The best method of propagation is division This fern can grow up to 18 inches tall and 24 inches wide and has a delicate arching and cascading habit. Its fronds are bright green with black stems, and the leaflets are fan-shaped. The spores are carried under the margins flaps. In warm climates consider this plant as a bedding or border planting, specimen, groundcover, or understory. In cooler climates, the brittle maidenhair fern could be used as an indoor planting for your home or office as a container planting, hanging basket, or used in a terrarium. . Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems : Monitor for spider mites and aphids. Overwatering or inadequately drained soil can cause root rot. Direct sunlight can scorch the delicate leaves. More information on Adiantum .
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
High Organic Matter
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Moist
Available space
12 inches-3 feet
Mature size
Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 1 ft. 6 in. | Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Slow
Maintenance
Low
Canopy layer
4 - Herbaceous (1-3 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Arching; Cascading
Texture
Medium
Leaf color
Green
Leaf type
Fronds
Leaf shape
Pinnatifid
Leaf margin
Lobed
Leaf feel
Smooth
Leaf size
> 6 inches long, > 6 inches wide
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
The fronds are light green, arching and smooth. The leaf blade is in a trowel shape and pinnate. It measures 5 to 24 inches long and equally as wide. It is 3 pinnate, and the rachis or stem is straight. The segments are fan-shaped, and the apex is rounded and lobed with narrow incisions.
Flower detail
Non-flowering.
Fruit detail
No fruits. Produces spores.
Stem color
Black
Stem detail
The stems are black and wiry.
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Non-native
Origin
Tropical and Subtropical America
Distribution
Native: Bahamas, Belize, Brazil, Cayman Islands, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Leeward Islands, Mexico, Nicaragua, Puerto Rico, Trinidad-Tobago, United States--Florida, Venezuela, and the Windward Islands. Introduced: Andaman Islands, Caroline Islands, India, Malaya, Mariana, Philippines, Solomon Islands, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, United States--Hawaii, and Vanuatu.