How to Grow and Care for Rosy Maidenhair Fern

Consider the medium-sized rosy maidenhair fern if you're looking for a lush perennial plant to grow in damp conditions underneath the dappled light of your shade trees in woodland gardens. Also known as the rough maidenhair fern because of its textured foliage, the colorful fronds on this type of fern make it stand out from the crowd. As new fronds unfurl, they showcase unique rose-colored shades which turn dark green, sometimes with a bronze tinge, as the arching foliage matures.

The rosy maidenhair fern is ideal for adding elegant, textural interest to your houseplant collection in colder regions. That's if you can provide the indirect light, high humidity levels, and even moisture they thrive on.

Rosy Maidenhair Fern Care

Here are the main care requirements for growing rosy maidenhair ferns:

• Position in dappled light for healthiest growth.
• Plant in well-drained soil, rich in organic matter.
• Water deeply to retain even moisture without waterlogging.
• Provide adequate humidity when grown indoors.
• Feed a balanced, diluted fertilizer during the summer growing season. Feed carefully—too much fertilizer can lead to foliage burn.

Light

While the rosy maidenhair fern is more tolerant of sun than many fern species, it still does best in a position that receives filtered light. Too much direct sun can quickly lead to leaf scorch and full shade results in less vigorous growth. In northern regions, if the plant is in an area of your garden that receives less intense direct morning sun, it should still cope well.

In the home, plant your rosy maidenhair fern in a spot where it will receive bright but indirect light.

Soil

A well-drained soil is an absolute must for your rosy maidenhair fern. They can't tolerate standing water, which can lead to root rot. If the soil is slightly acidic and enriched with organic matter, all the better.

Water

Regular, deep watering when you first plant a new rosy maidenhair fern helps to establish the spreading root system. Once established, continue to water frequently enough to ensure even moisture. This is the key to healthy growth—as it is for most fern species.

While the rosy maidenhair fern is a little more tolerant of drying out than some ferns, getting the balance right with watering is still the trickiest part about caring for these plants. Too little moisture and leaf scorch is common; too much and your plant can die from root rot.

Temperature and Humidity

This tropical fern is a humidity-lover. It has a deciduous habit in temperate climates within its growing zone. It can be evergreen if grown indoors with enough humidity or in tropical or semi-tropical climates.

The ideal daytime temperatures when growing indoors are around 70 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit, and it thrives when humidity levels are between 40 and 50 percent. Leaf scorch can be a problem in low-humidity environments. If this is an issue, investing in a humidifier, using a pebble-filled tray of water, or keeping your rosy maidenhair fern as a houseplant for a steamy bathroom can help.

Fertilizer

While feeding a balanced, diluted, general-purpose liquid fertilizer monthly to moist soil during the late spring and summer growing season can encourage lush frond growth, be careful not to go overboard.

If you're in doubt, it's better to avoid feeding altogether than risk fertilizer burn and never fertilize your rosy maidenhair fern during its dormant phase.

Pruning

There are no high-maintenance pruning requirements for a rosy maidenhead fern. It's simply a case of cutting back any broken, unhealthy, or dead fronds in the spring when you see new growth.

Propagating Rosy Maidenhair Ferns

Clump-forming rosy maidenhair ferns spread by rhizomes and can become quite large over time. The best time to divide these plants is in the spring before new fronds unfurl. This helps prevent overcrowding, improves air circulation, and is a simple way to propagate new plants for other shady spots in your yard or to gift to friends.

Here's how to propagate rosy maidenhair ferns by division:

1. Divide when the soil is evenly moist and the plant is well hydrated.
2. Carefully dig into the soil around and below the plant with a shovel, until you see the crown and rootball.
3. Put on gloves and gently separate the rootball into two or three generously-sized clumps. If you struggle to divide the clumps by hand, use a sterile knife to cut the root ball into even sections.
4. Remove any unhealthy foliage on each division—you want to direct all the energy to healthy growth.
5. Plant the divisions in their new position, making sure they receive the right amount of dappled light and even moisture.

How to Grow Rosy Maidenhair Ferns From Spores

Rosy maidenhair ferns can also be grown from spores. Spores are the fern's equivalent of germinating seeds; you find them on the underside of the fronds. You will need patience with this method as spores are much slower to germinate and grow than most seeds.

Here's how to grow rosy maidenhair ferns from spores:

1. Collect the spores when they are ripe. This typically happens in the fall when they turn dark and start falling off the underside of the fronds.
2. Cut off a frond and leave it in an open paper bag or on top of some kitchen towel in a sheltered spot where dropping spores won't blow away.
3. Leave the spores to fall off the frond rather than trying to pull them off. Although a gentle shake or tap of the frond can help move the process along.
4. Gently shake the fallen spores onto the surface of a container of well-drained and moistened sterile fern potting medium.
5. Press the spores down carefully. You want them to have good contact with the potting medium.
6. Gently moisten the spores with a misting spray to hydrate them and help keep them in place.
7. Cover the surface of the container with plastic to hold in moisture and humidity.
8. Place the container on a tray filled with a two-inch layer of water.
9. Position the container in a warm spot where it receives bright but indirect light.
10. Top up the water in the tray regularly while you wait to see signs of growth. This can take as much as three months.
11. When you see the small heart-shaped fern shoots—known as prothalli—appearing, you can transplant them carefully to individual pots.
12. Use a fern potting mix and keep it evenly moist. You can leave the pots uncovered at this point, but keep them in a warm spot with bright, indirect light.
13. When fronds appear, it's time to harden off your plants if you plan to transplant them to an outdoor location.

Be patient. This entire process typically takes six to 12 months.

Common Pests & Plant Diseases

Rosy maidenhead ferns aren't generally bothered by many pests or diseases, although you might have to keep aphids at bay and caterpillars like the lush fronds.

If crowded plants have poor air circulation or you constantly soak the fronds when watering, this can lead to fungal problems.

Common Problems With Rosy Maidenhair Fern

To allow your ferns to thrive indoors or out, you need to get it right with light, humidity levels, and moisture, and the rosy maidenhair fern is no exception. Thankfully, your plant will offer some early warning signs to tell you when you need to switch things up. Below are some common problems that alert you to something not being right for your rosy maidenhair fern.

Browning Fronds

If the fronds of your rosy maidenhair fern start to look brown, dry, and curly, this is typically a sign you aren't providing the even moisture or humidity they love or you have them positioned in an overly sunny spot. You might need to up your deep watering schedule, invest in a humidifer, or move them to a spot offering less intense dappled light.

Drooping Fronds

Rosy maidenhair ferns have an arching habit, but if the fronds start to wilt and droop unattractively, this is often another sign of underwatering or inadequate humidity. However, don't forget that while deep watering and even moisture are this plant's friend, if you go overboard and leave your fern in standing water, you could end up causing root rot.

Yellowing Leaves

Yellowing leaves on your lush rosy maidenhair fern can be an early indicator of root rot due to soggy soil. This tends to be a symptom of overwatering or poorly draining soil.

If your plant is in a deeply shaded spot, this can also result in yellow fronds and poor vigor.