Description

Southern maiden hair is found in shady moist settings throughout the state, but is most common in southern California. It is one of our native plants that we share with many other US states and even other continents. The roots must be continually moist without being soggy or water logged. The fronds of bright green leaflets tend to drape over in a loose, open fountain. One often finds southern maiden hair thriving on a rock wall above a waterway or in a seep, where the fronds can hang down. The shiny black stems of the Adiantum genus were commonly used for black detail in native american basketry. In the garden, provide southern maiden hair with shade, soil of at least medium drainage and regular moisture. Like other members of its genus, southern maiden hair will go dormant if allowed to dry out or is exposed to excessive winter cold. Southern maiden hair does well in a pot and is commonly kept as a house plant.
According to San Marcos Nursery in Santa Barbara: “The variety 'Banksianum' (also known as Mairisii) is hardier with thicker rhizomes with more upright and sparingly branched fronds with broadly triangular leaflets.”