Yes, I've had maidenhair ferns before, but had to leave them when I moved a long distance. It has to be monitored more closely than any other plant I've had, because if it dries out once, many leaves will brown. Keep it moist but not wet, and no direct sunlight. Bright light, but not in the window bright. If you have a pic to show, it would help with your specific situation. They're beautiful plants but can be a little frustrating if you have to travel, etc.

I am growing one right now in a small terrarium. The terrarium originally only contained moss, and I put the fern in there as a final attempt to keep it from dying. It is sending out new growth and looks very happy! Best of all, it is lower maintenance than even my succulents and cactus - I haven't added water for at least 3 months! :)

I tried wicking it because it was needing water so often. I don't think that has made it worse, just sometimes don't get water refilled in time. SaraM, do you fertilize? I do occasionally. It's not making any new fronds, so if it continues browning it's done. Could try outside in shade where there is lots of humidity, but don't want to except as a last resort. Not sure the heat and brighter light would be good at this point.

Greenhouse, can I see a picture of your terrarium? Wondering how big it is. I prefer small ones only, due to cost and space.

Looks pretty.

aviolet6(7)- your plant looks ok, but I know it's annoying when it has brown leaves. I first saw maidenhair fern on Martha Stewart's website and hers were perfect of course. Lol.

Do you have any of those plant watering bulbs- they're colored glass with a stem? You fill the bulb part with water and insert the stem into the soil. When I lived in AZ I used one on my maidenhair and it made it a lot easier. I bought the bulbs at Home Depot. They're maybe called watering globes? It's been a while can't remember. But they helped keep constant moisture.

Greenhouse- nice terrarium!!!

Haven't tried those, thanks for the idea. I don't mind a few brown but when it keeps happening and no new growth it's worrisome.

For new growth try Schultz plant food. Works well on this plant.

maidenhair ferns like alkaline soil, so why did i water mine with tea -it was doing beautifully, it turned up it's toes and died

Hi

What type of maidenhair are you trying to grow ?? Various types grow all over the world including the US. Obviously with such a wide range they would require different conditions As a HP probably the best choice would be a tropical as tthe temperates need a cool/cold rest period I grow the southern MH outdoors but in pots along with tropicals and some aquatic types . I tried the California type and it wouldn't tolerate the heat lol Pick the type for the conditions you want to grow it in and they become downright weedy lol gary

I've grown maidenhair ferns and many other ferns successfully for years. Some think that ferns need more care indoors because they seem fragile some of these are tough plants and once they are happy were they sit many only need misting and not every day some do some don't and that is dependent on how humid its surroundings is. My method is first your plant needs to sit on rocks or pebbles in a wider container under the pot so that all the leaves can benefit from the moisture rising from the bottom or group your plant with other plants that like the same lighting this helps to add humidity to the leaves. I found that they don't like to be moved so once you decide where your plant is its happiest don't move it but it can be turned for even growth. Never fertilize new ferns give it a couple of months or more to get use to its new surrounding and you can get use to its needs and when it time to fertile make the solution weak. When I started growing ferns I went to the botanical gardens and greenhouses to see how they grew and cared for ferns this is where I got a lot of great information on how to care for ferns and picked up some rare ferns and spores not found in stores but that was back in the 1970's. Your fern looks great I hope that is continues to grow healthy.

I have grown ferns by putting individual leaves with spores on them in a terrarium as an experiment. Worked.. Had the cutest little maidenhair fern growling