Northern Maidenhair
Adiantum pedatum
Last reviewed: June 2026
Light
part shade
Water
medium
Size
12"–24" H × 12"–24" W
Bloom
N/A
Native to
AL, AR, CT, DE and 31 more states
Northern maidenhair is a delicate native fern with distinctive fan-shaped leaflets arranged on thin, dark stems. It forms neat clumps in shaded areas and goes dormant in winter, dying back completely to emerge fresh in spring.
In an HOA neighborhood
Northern Maidenhair is an HOA-friendly choice. Maintenance level: low. Tidiness: 4 out of 5.
Works well in: front yard, foundation, mid zone.
- Completely disappears in winter which may look bare
Wildlife value
As a fern, it doesn't attract pollinators but provides shelter for small woodland creatures and adds to the structural diversity that benefits native ecosystems.
Native range data from the USDA PLANTS Database and regional native plant society lists. Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.
Does Northern Maidenhair fit your yard? Open it in Pollinator Patch to check it against your sun, soil, and HOA-conscious filters.