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Adiantum raddianum

Phonetic Spelling
ae-dee-AN-tum rad-dee-AE-num
Description

The Delta maidenhair is a herbaceous perennial plant in the Ribbon-fern family (Pteridaceae). It is native to the Tropical Americas and West Indies. The genus name comes from the Greek word adiantos meaning unwetted in reference to the water-repellent foliage. The specific epithet honors Italian botanist Giuseppe Raddi (1770–1829).

This fern needs partial shade to shade but loses vitality in too much shade or full sun. It needs moist to wet soil and the roots should not be allowed to dry out. It spreads by creeping rhizomes. It grows 1 to 2 feet high and wide. 

The Delta maidenhair fern is often grown as a houseplant and does well if kept in bathrooms, where it is more humid. The fern does well in terrariums or in sheltered rock gardens in wet pebbles and soil. 

Quick ID Hints:

  • Fronds decompound, membranous, in flat planes
  • Pinnae in flat planes
  • Pinnules triangular, lobed
  • Sori marginal covered by revolute marginal flap
  • Stipe & rachis wiry, black

Diseases, Insect Pests, and Other Plant Problems:

No significant diseases or pests. The Florida Fern Caterpillar can be a problem.

VIDEO Created by NC State Extension's Homegrown series featuring Mark Weathington, Director of JC Raulston Arboretum.

More information on Adiantum.

Profile Video:
See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Brilliantelse'
    foliage has pinkish to violet new growth that matures to green, dense habit
  • 'Fragrantissimum'
    soft fragrance, light green fronds with black stems, popular houseplant
  • ‘Fritz Lüthi’
    large pinnae, deeply lobed, large triangular shaped blade
  • ‘Kensington Gem’
    fronds have small, delicate green leaves and black stems
  • 'Microphyllum'
    dwarf, up to 12 inches tall, compact
  • 'Red Venus'
    delicate, red foliage that matures to a light green,
  • 'Variegatum' or Snowflake Fern
    delicate, light green leaves with flecks of white variegation
'Brilliantelse', 'Fragrantissimum', ‘Fritz Lüthi’, ‘Kensington Gem’, 'Microphyllum', 'Red Venus', 'Variegatum' or Snowflake Fern
Tags:
#deciduous#houseplant#lacy leaves#interiorscape#fern#high maintenance#deer resistant#delicate#humidity tolerant#tropical feel#container plant
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Brilliantelse'
    foliage has pinkish to violet new growth that matures to green, dense habit
  • 'Fragrantissimum'
    soft fragrance, light green fronds with black stems, popular houseplant
  • ‘Fritz Lüthi’
    large pinnae, deeply lobed, large triangular shaped blade
  • ‘Kensington Gem’
    fronds have small, delicate green leaves and black stems
  • 'Microphyllum'
    dwarf, up to 12 inches tall, compact
  • 'Red Venus'
    delicate, red foliage that matures to a light green,
  • 'Variegatum' or Snowflake Fern
    delicate, light green leaves with flecks of white variegation
'Brilliantelse', 'Fragrantissimum', ‘Fritz Lüthi’, ‘Kensington Gem’, 'Microphyllum', 'Red Venus', 'Variegatum' or Snowflake Fern
Tags:
#deciduous#houseplant#lacy leaves#interiorscape#fern#high maintenance#deer resistant#delicate#humidity tolerant#tropical feel#container plant
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Adiantum
    Species:
    raddianum
    Family:
    Pteridaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Division
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Tropical Americas and West Indies
    Distribution:
    Tropical Americas and West Indies
    Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
    This plant is seldom damaged by deer.
    Dimensions:
    Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Fern
    Houseplant
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Habit/Form:
    Arching
    Clumping
    Creeping
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    Maintenance:
    High
    Texture:
    Fine
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Occasionally Wet
    Available Space To Plant:
    12 inches-3 feet
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    9b, 10a, 10b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Description:
    No fruit; reproduces via spores
  • Flowers:
    Flower Description:
    No flowers.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Type:
    Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
    Fronds
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Other/more complex
    Leaf Shape:
    Obovate
    Leaf Margin:
    Lobed
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Description:
    Delicate, lace-likec lustered fronds, clump forming. 1-5-pinnate, arching, weakly glaucous beneath, membraneous; pinnae often decompound, flabellately branched; pinnules/leaflets somewhat triangular, broadly cuneate, lobed, sterile lobes cut deeply; stipe/petiole wiry, shiny black or tinged purple. SORI round to elongated, covered my revolute pinnule marginal flap.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Black
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Container
    Houseplants
    Patio
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Deer