What hardiness zones is Adiantum venustum suitable for?

Adiantum venustum is suitable for USDA hardiness zones 5, 6, 7, 8, 9.

What are the sun requirements for Adiantum venustum?

Adiantum venustum requires Part Shade.

How much water does Adiantum venustum need?

Adiantum venustum has Medium water needs.

Adiantum venustum, Himalayan maidenhair fern

1 / 3

Ferns

Adiantum venustum

Himalayan maidenhair fern

Pteridaceae

Himalayas: Afghanistan, northern India, Nepal, Bhutan, southwestern China

At a Glance

TypeFern

HabitSpreading

FoliageSemi-evergreen

Height9-15 inches (23-38 cm)

Width18-24 inches (45-60 cm)

Maturity3 years

Growing Zones

USDA Hardiness Zones

5 - 9

Zone 5

Zone 6

Zone 7

Zone 8

Zone 9

These zones indicate the coldest temperatures this plant can typically survive.

Frost Tolerancehardy

Key Features

Deer Resistant

Container Friendly

Maintenancelow

Overview

A semi-evergreen to evergreen fern forming a low, spreading mound 9-15 inches (23-38 cm) tall and 18-24 inches (45-60 cm) wide. Fronds are bipinnate to tripinnate, composed of numerous small, fan-shaped to rhombic pinnules 5-10 mm wide, each with a shallowly lobed outer margin. New fronds emerge copper-pink to bronze in spring, transitioning to mid-green through summer. In mild winters (zones 7-9), fronds remain evergreen; in colder zones (5-6), they die back to the ground but re-emerge in spring. Stipes are wiry, black-purple, and 4-8 inches (10-20 cm) long. Fronds lie nearly horizontal, creating a layered, lacy texture. Spread is rhizomatous and slow to moderate; plants expand roughly 3-6 inches (8-15 cm) outward per year. Sori are borne on the reflexed margins of pinnule tips. No flowers are produced. Lower fronds yellow and brown at the tips when the soil dries out between waterings. Plants established in moist, humus-rich soil maintain foliage quality better than those in dry sites.

Native Range

Native to the Himalayas from Afghanistan east through northern India, Nepal, Bhutan, and into southwestern China, growing in moist, shaded gorges, rocky stream banks, and forest understories at elevations of 5,000-10,000 feet (1,500-3,000 m). Commonly found on limestone and sandstone substrates under broadleaf and mixed forest canopy.

Suggested Uses

Commonly planted as a groundcover in shaded borders, woodland gardens, and along stream banks at 18-24 inch (45-60 cm) spacing. Grows in containers of at least 2 gallons (7.5 L) in a shaded position, requiring more frequent watering than in-ground plants. Self-spreads slowly by rhizomes and suits underplanting beneath deciduous trees and shrubs.

How to Identify

Fronds are bipinnate to tripinnate with small, fan-shaped pinnules 5-10 mm wide bearing shallowly notched outer margins and wiry, black-purple stipes. New growth emerges distinctly bronze-pink in spring before maturing to green. Sori are located at the reflexed pinnule margins, not on the underside of the blade as in many ferns. The combination of evergreen or semi-evergreen habit, bronze new growth, and low-mounding form distinguishes it from other maidenhair species.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height9" - 1'3"

Width/Spread1'6" - 2'

Reaches mature size in approximately 3 years

Colors

Foliage Colors

green

bronze

Fall Foliage Colors

no change

Bloom Information

Adiantum venustum is a fern and does not produce flowers or bloom. Spore production occurs primarily in summer on mature fronds. The spring flush of copper-pink new fronds is the main ornamental display period.

Detailed Descriptions

Foliage Description

Bronze-pink when new, maturing to mid-green; fronds fan-shaped, small, and lacy

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

Partial Shade

Full Shade

Tolerates up to 4 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range5.5 - 7.0(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

loampeat

Drainage

moist

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Medium

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

2-3 years

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Plant in consistently moist, humus-rich, well-drained soil in partial to full shade. Water weekly during establishment in the absence of rain; mature plants tolerate brief dry periods of 1-2 weeks but frond tips brown if the soil dries completely. Mulch 2-3 inches (5-8 cm) deep to retain moisture and moderate soil temperature. Fertilize once in early spring with a balanced slow-release fertilizer at half the recommended rate; excess nitrogen produces lush growth susceptible to aphid damage. Remove dead or winter-damaged fronds in early spring before new growth emerges. Slugs and snails feed on new fronds in spring; check and remove by hand or use iron-phosphate bait.

Pruning

Cut back any dead or frost-damaged fronds in early spring before new growth begins, cutting to within 1 inch (2.5 cm) of the soil surface. In zones 7-9 where fronds remain evergreen, remove only brown or tattered fronds rather than cutting back the entire plant. No summer pruning is required; removal of older fronds mid-season does not improve plant health.

Pruning Schedule

early spring

Maintenance Level

low

Container Growing

✓ Suitable for container growing

Minimum container size: 2 gallons

⚠️ Toxicity Warning

Non-toxic