Southern Maidenhair Fern, Dudder Grass, or Venus’s-Hair
Adiantum capillus-veneris (POLYPODIACEAE)
Southern Maidenhair Fern
You’ll find everything you need to know to plant and grow southern maidenhair fern, dudder grass, or Venus’s-hair in the accompanying table’s tabs:
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- Flowers, fronds, and spores of southern maidenhair fern, dudder grass, or Venus’s-hair
- Growing conditions for southern maidenhair fern
- When and where to plant southern maidenhair fern
- How to plant southern maidenhair fern
- How to shape, prune and control growth of southern maidenhair fern
- Watering, fertilizing, and care of southern maidenhair fern
- Landscape uses of southern maidenhair fern
- Pest and disease control for southern maidenhair fern
Growing Southern Maidenhair Fern
Many cultivars of slow-growing, mounding, rhizomatous, deciduous ferns, to 18 in. (45 cm) tall and wide, with bright green, fan-shaped, oval or triangular, double-divided, finely cut fronds, 18–24 in. (45–60 cm) long and to 10 in. (25 cm) wide, with oval or round, toothed, alternate leaflets, to 1/4-in. (6-mm) wide, on shiny, black, wiry stems.
Closely related species with similar care needs include Northern maidenhair fern, Adiantum pedatum fm. imbricatum, and Aleutian maidenhair fern, Adiantum pedatum fm. aleuticum. Both are hardy, U.S.D.A. zones 2–9.
Southern Maidenhair Fern Planting and Care Guide
Best Climates
U.S.D.A. Plant Hardiness Zones 8–11. Tender. Best in cool, mild, humid climates.
Soil Type and Fertility
Moist, well-drained, sandy loam mixed with humus and charcoal or, in water features, shoreline sites. Fertility: Rich. 6.0–7.5 pH.
Where and How to Plant
Partial to full shade. Space 10–12 in. (25–30 cm) apart.
Proper Care
Easy–moderate. Keep evenly moist. Fertilize monthly during active growth. Deadhead oldest fronds by cutting at base. Protect from sun. Propagate by division, spores.
About This Species
Good choice for hanging baskets, borders, containers, edgings, ground covers in natural, shade, woodland gardens and water feature shorelines. Good as houseplant. Pest and disease resistant.