Venus hair fern in pot

Credit: Pintus58patrizio

Adiantum capillus-veneris pinnule

Credit: Marija Gajic

Sporangia of Adinantum capillus veneris

Credit: Marija Gajic

Adiantum capillus veneris in the wild

Credit: Jim Morefield

Adiantum capillus-veneris, Venus hair capillary

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 maintenance 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.

Spray

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 Venus hair 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 liquid green plant fertilizer diluted with water.

Prune

To encourage the growth of your Venus hair 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 Venus hair 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 Venus hair 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 capillus-veneris 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 Venus hair 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	Venus hair capillary - Adiantum capillus-veneris
Lifecycle	Perennial
Foliage	Semi-evergreen
Exposure	Half-shade
Substrats	Calcareous earth Humus soil
Planting methods	Open ground In pots
Categories	Interior Rhizome Herbaceous Succulent
Tags	Rustic Soiffarde
Origin	South America
Hardiness (USDA)	7b
Leaf color