Adiantum capillus-veneris, Venus hair fern
Adiantum capillus-veneris
- Exposure
- Half-shade
- Hardiness (USDA)
- 7b (-15°C ≤ T° < -12.2°C)
- Lifecycle
- Perennial
- Foliage
- Semi-evergreen
- Family
- Pteridaceae
- Genus
- Maidenhair fern Adiantum
- Species
- Maidenhair fern Adiantum capillus-veneris
Venus hair capillary (Adiantum capillus-veneris) was not born of the foam of the waves in Greece, but on a cliff in South America. It then became established wherever the climate was mild. This fern from the Pteridaceae family can now be found on the Mediterranean coast, on the Atlantic coast and in your neighbor's living room.
How to recognize Adiantum capillus-veneris, the Venus hair fern?
A lithophytic fern with a bushy habit, Adiantum capillus-veneris measures 40 centimetres in height and 30 centimetres in spread.
The bipinnate fronds grow in rosettes from a creeping rhizome. Their arching stems can reach 70 centimetres. Petioles, stems and rachis are shiny brown, almost black. Their color contrasts with the light-green, fan-shaped pinnae. A special feature of Adiantum capillus-veneris: its leaflets are ribbed right down to the teeth.
On the underside of the fertile fronds is a brown, rectangular membrane. When it dries, it opens and releases the sporangia.
Venus hair capillary, like adiantum raddianum, is non-toxic. It is said to have expectorant properties and is used to treat colds and coughs. It can also be eaten in salads, but its fronds are said to have a rather bitter taste.
Our care tips
In their natural environment, adiantum capillus-veneris are hardy plants. Indoors, they are more difficult to care for due to lack of humidity. To keep your fern in top form, you need to ensure regular watering without overwatering.
Watering
Adiantum capillus-veneris appreciate freshness. Their soil must be kept slightly moist in spring and summer. But the plant doesn't like excess. Be careful not to soak the substrate!
Provide water at room temperature, without lime. You can, for example, collect rainwater or use filtered water.
Once you've watered your Adiantum capillus-veneris, empty any stagnant water from the saucer or planter. It may rot the roots.
Misting
Spray foliage with rainwater at room temperature. This misting helps combat pests and improves hygrometry.
Repotting
In spring, transfer your Adiantum capillus-veneris to a larger pot, so that it can continue to grow.
Choose a shallow drilled pot. Its width should be slightly greater than that of the root ball. Place a bed of clay balls or gravel at the bottom for drainage.
Adiantum capillus-veneris plants need light, draining soil. For the substrate, mix potting soil for green plants, sand and peat. You can also use leaf compost, peat moss and sphagnum moss.
Pour in the substrate and plant your Maidenhair fern, without burying it too deeply.
Place the pot on a saucer filled with clay balls to increase humidity.
Fertilization
You can stimulate the development of your plant during its growth phase, in spring and summer, with fertilizer.
Apply liquid green plant fertilizer diluted with water.
Prune
To encourage the growth of your Maidenhair fern, prune regularly.
Remove dry fronds with clean, sharp pruning shears.
Planting
Once the last spring frosts have passed, you can plant.
Choose a shady spot, along a wall or under a tree for example.
Soak the base of your Maidenhair fern while you dig a hole twice the size of the root ball.
Place a layer of compost at the bottom of the hole. If your garden soil is poor, you can enrich it with peat or leaf compost.
Plant your Maidenhair fern. The rootball should be level with the soil. Tamp gently and water to encourage rooting.
Apply organic mulch to keep the soil cool and retain moisture.
Taking cuttings
Propagation by cuttings is carried out during the strong growth phase, generally in spring and early summer.
Take adiantum capillus-veneris out of its pot. Using a clean, sharp knife, remove a rhizome with roots and fronds.
In a pot with drainage holes, sized appropriately for your cutting, pour in a layer of clay pellets to allow excess water to drain.
Next, add a layer of substrate. You can use a commercially available fern potting mix. You can also make your own mixture using potting soil, sand, and heather soil.
Plant your Maidenhair fern in the center and fill the pot with substrate. Firm it down and water to encourage rooting.
Plant your Maidenhair fern in the center and fill the pot with substrate. Firm it down and water to encourage rooting.
Diseases / Threats
Information
- Lifecycle
- Perennial
- Foliage
- Semi-evergreen
- Exposure
- Half-shade
- Substrates
- Calcareous earthHumus soil
- Planting methods
- Open groundIn pots
- Categories
- IndoorRhizomeHerbaceousSucculent
- Tags
- HardyThirsty
- Origin
- South America
- Hardiness (USDA)
- 7b (-15°C ≤ T° < -12.2°C)
- Leaf color
- Light green
Discover plants from the same family
Raddi's maidenhair fern
Adiantum raddianum
Cretan brake
Pteris cretica
Pteris albolineata
Pteris parkeri
Find out more
Find all our tips in the Monstera application
