Experienced grower's notes on Maidenhair Fern

I've been growing plants seriously for over fifteen years and Maidenhair Fern remains a reliable favourite. For anyone starting out: the most critical thing is maintaining consistent moisture without waterlogging. Everything else follows from that.

scale insects on the undersides of fronds is the challenge that trips up most beginners and some experienced growers too. I've been growing mine in a hanging basket in a cool bathroom for three seasons now and the results are consistently good. dramatic unfurling fiddle-head growth in spring is what makes it worth coming back to year after year. early emergence from the soil before most other plants in spring is when I show it off — it earns its place fully then.