Adiantum raddianum in pot

Credit: Leonore (Ellie) Enking

Adiantum raddianum in the wild

Credit: Krysztof Ziarnek

Adiantum raddianum pinnules

Credit: Forest et Kim Starr

Adiantum raddianum sporangia

Credit: Forest & Kim Starr

Adiantum raddianum, a fern with triangular foliage

Native to South American forests, Adiantum raddianum belongs to the Pteridaceae family. This plant with its delicate leaves is one of the most common indoor ferns in our latitudes.

How to recognize Adiantum raddianum capillary?

Adiantum raddianum is a bushy fern. It reaches 50 centimetres in height and 80 centimetres in width.

The triangular fronds measure up to 30 centimetres long and 15 centimetres wide. Arched when young, they droop when mature. The dark, almost black stem and rachis contrast with the pale green pinnae. Rounded, they resemble tiny fans.

The type species has given rise to hybrids and cultivars, such as Adiantum raddianum "fragrans", with its light, highly dissected foliage, orAdiantum raddianum "White Fritz Luth", with its white and pale-green fronds.

Like other ferns, Raddi's capillary does not flower. In summer, it produces brown spores. These are found on the underside of the leaf blades, in sporangia clustered at the margin of the pinnules.

Adiantum raddianum is not a toxic plant. But unlike Venus hair capillary, it has no known medicinal properties. It is mainly cultivated for the delicacy of its foliage.

Our maintenance tips

In their natural environment, adiantum raddianum 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 raddianum like to keep roots cool. Water when the substrate surface is dry (about one centimetre) with water at room temperature. Preferably use non-calcareous water, such as rainwater.

After watering, don 't let the water stagnate in the dish or pot, as it may rot the roots.

Spray

Your Adiantum raddianum appreciates moisture on its foliage. Spray it regularly with non-calcareous water to improve humidity.

Repotting

In spring, transfer your Adiantum raddianum 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 raddianum 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 Raddi's capillary, 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 a liquid fertilizer for green plants to stimulate growth.

Prune

To encourage the growth of your Raddi's capillary, prune regularly.

Remove dry fronds with clean, sharp pruning shears.

Plantation

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 Raddi's capillary 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 Raddi's capillary. 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.

Cutting

Cutting is carried out during the strong growth phase, generally in spring and early summer.

Take adiantum raddianum out of its pot. Using a clean, sharp knife, remove a rhizome with roots and fronds.

In a pierced pot, adapted to the size of your cutting, pour a bed of clay balls to allow excess water to drain away.

Then add a layer of substrate. You can choose a commercially available potting soil for ferns. You can also make your own mixture of potting soil, sand and heather.

Plant your Raddi's capillary in the center and fill the pot with substrate. Press down and water to help the plant take root.

Diseases / Threats

Rust

Mealybugs

Information

Family	Pteridaceae - Pteridaceae
Type	Capillary - Adiantum
Species	Raddi's Capillary - Adiantum raddianum
Lifecycle	Perennial
Foliage	Semi-evergreen
Exposure	Half-shade
Substrats	Calcareous earth Humus soil
Planting methods	Open ground In pots
Categories	Interior Rhizome Herbaceous Hanging plants
Tags	Fritillary Soiffarde
Origin	South America
Hardiness (USDA)	10b
Leaf color