Photo: Forest & Kim Starr · CC BY 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Maidenhair Fern
Adiantum raddianum
Gorgeous, airy fronds — but famously fussy about humidity. A closed terrarium is the one place it reliably thrives.
- Terrarium type
- Closed
- Terrarium size
- Medium
- Light
- Low to medium
- Care level
- Tricky
- Growth habit
- Upright
- Pet safety
- Non-toxic to pets
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Growing Maidenhair Fern in a terrarium
Where to place it
Give it a sheltered spot with low to medium indirect light — never direct sun, which scorches the delicate fronds instantly.
Watering & humidity
This is where a closed terrarium earns its keep: it needs unwavering humidity and evenly moist (never soggy) substrate. The sealed environment is the one place it reliably thrives.
Watch out for
It is famously fussy — a single dry spell will brown whole fronds, and they won't green up again. Cut crisped fronds at the base and let fresh ones replace them.
Reference: Adiantum raddianum on Wikipedia.
Maidenhair Fern FAQ
Can Maidenhair Fern grow in a closed terrarium?+
Yes — Maidenhair Fern (Adiantum raddianum) thrives in a closed terrarium. The sealed glass traps the constant, high humidity it needs, and it tolerates the lower light inside a covered vessel.
Can Maidenhair Fern grow in an open terrarium?+
It isn't recommended. Maidenhair Fern (Adiantum raddianum) wants the constant humidity of a sealed, closed terrarium and will quickly dry out and crisp up in an open, airy one.
What size terrarium does Maidenhair Fern need?+
Maidenhair Fern suits a medium terrarium — bowls & mid-size. It has a upright growth habit, so plan its position with that in mind and trim or divide it if it starts to outgrow the glass.
Is Maidenhair Fern easy to care for?+
Maidenhair Fern is rated tricky to care for in a terrarium. Gorgeous, airy fronds — but famously fussy about humidity. A closed terrarium is the one place it reliably thrives. It is famously fussy — a single dry spell will brown whole fronds, and they won't green up again. Cut crisped fronds at the base and let fresh ones replace them.
How much light does Maidenhair Fern need?+
Maidenhair Fern does best in low to medium light. Keep it out of direct sun, which magnifies through glass and scorches leaves. Give it a sheltered spot with low to medium indirect light — never direct sun, which scorches the delicate fronds instantly.
Is Maidenhair Fern safe for cats and dogs?+
Maidenhair fern (Adiantum raddianum) is non-toxic to cats and dogs according to the ASPCA.
