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new zealand maidenhair fern

The New Zealand maidenhair fern is a true gem of Aotearoa’s native forests, loved by gardeners for its delicate, feathery foliage and elegant presence in shaded gardens or indoor plant collections. With its graceful, arching stems and soft, lacy green fronds, the New Zealand maidenhair fern adds a touch of lush, natural beauty wherever it grows. Ideal for damp, sheltered spots or as an indoor feature plant, this fern is easy to care for and rewards you with a lush display all year round. Whether you’re an experienced fern enthusiast or just beginning to discover the beauty of New Zealand’s native flora, the New Zealand maidenhair fern is a must-have for any NZ garden or home.

Muehlenbeckia complexa (Pohuehue) growing as a topiary hedge.

Muehlenbeckia complexa (Pohuehue)

5 from 3 customers

Muehlenbeckia complexa (Pohuehue) is a vigorous, hardy NZ native climber or groundcover. It features wiry, twining stems and small, glossy green leaves that create dense coverage. Growing up to 4 m wide and 2 m high, it’s perfect for fences, banks, or walls. Pohuehue tolerates wind, salt spray, and dry conditions once established. Small, white flowers are followed by black berries, attracting birds and making it an excellent choice for both erosion control and biodiversity.

Suited to regions: All regions
Plant type: Groundcover Plants
Height: 30 cm
Spread: 2.00 m
Flowering time: Summer
Tolerances: Coastal, Extended dry periods, Hardy, Wind
Garden uses: Arches, Banks, Borders, Containers, Ground covering, Living areas, Paths & Steps, Patios, Pool areas, Topiary, Walls
Garden styles: Backyard, City & Courtyard, Coastal, Frontyard, Japanese, Modern, Native
leptinella-dioica-

Leptinella dioica (Bachelors Buttons)

5 from 1 customers

Leptinella dioica (aka Cotula dioica), commonly known as Bachelors Buttons, is an herbaceous perennial native to New Zealand. It is a creeping and somewhat fleshy plant that bears small and green, fern-like leaves with a touch of bronze. Small, yellow flowers are borne through spring and summer amidst the foliage as it grows to 10 cm tall and 70 cm wide. Leptinella dioica is a great plant to use as a low groundcover, for planting between rocks and pavers, using in tropical gardens, or planting around pool areas.

Suited to regions: All regions
Plant type: Groundcover Plants
Height: 10 cm
Spread: 70 cm
Flowering time: Spring, Summer
Tolerances: Coastal, Extended dry periods, Hardy
Garden uses: Borders, Containers, Ground covering, Living areas, Paths & Steps, Ponds
Garden styles: Backyard, City & Courtyard, Coastal, Frontyard, Modern, Native, Rock, Tropical
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Blechnum novae-zelandiae

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Asplenium bulbiferum (Hen And Chicken Fern)

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Ginkgo biloba

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Leptinella pusilla (Purple Brass Buttons)

Leptinella pusilla, commonly known as the Purple Brass Buttons plant, is an herbaceous perennial native to New Zealand. It is a creeping and somewhat...

From$18.23
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Podocarpus gracilior (African Fern Pine)

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From$299.92
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Phlebodium aureum Blue Star (Blue Star Fern)

The Blue Star Fern features wavy leaves that are a blue-green colour. This popular indoor plant grows as a clump to about 30 cm tall and the same...

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Arthropodium cirratum, commonly known as Rengarenga Lily or New Zealand Rock Lily, is a clump-forming, evergreen perennial native to New Zealand. It...

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Podocarpus macrophyllus Maki, commonly known as Shrubby Yew Tree, Chinese Podocarpus, or Shrubby Podocarpus, produces dense, dark green leaves, with...

From$205.02
Entelea arborescens (Whau) shrub with lush green foliage and white flowers.

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Entelea arborescens, commonly known as Whau, is a NZ native shrub that typically grows to 3 m tall and 2 m wide. It produces fragrant white flowers...

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Anemanthele lessoniana (Pheasant's Tail Grass)

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From$16.88
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Arthropodium ‘Te Puna’ is a compact New Zealand native perennial valued for its tidy clumping habit, slender green foliage, and masses of starry...

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Dysoxylum spectabile tree.

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The best new lawn fertiliser in NZ.

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Muehlenbeckia complexa (Pohuehue)

Did you find what you are looking for?

You might be interested in exploring related Latin Names - Agathis, Anemanthele, Arthropodium, Asplenium, Blechnum, Dianella, Dysoxylum, Entelea, Ginkgo, Hedera, Leptinella, Libocedrus, Muehlenbeckia Phlebodium and Podocarpus, or related Categories - Fertiliser, Evergreen Climbers, Ground Fern, Flaxes, Grasses, Groundcover Plants, Indoor Plants, Perennials, Evergreen Shrubs Deciduous Trees and Evergreen Trees.

Search new zealand maidenhair fern

What is the New Zealand Maidenhair Fern?

The New Zealand maidenhair fern (Adiantum cunninghamii) is a hardy, evergreen fern found throughout New Zealand’s temperate rainforests. It is renowned for its finely divided, fan-shaped fronds that emerge from wiry black stems—providing a soft, ethereal look perfect for creating a woodland or shade garden atmosphere. If you’d like to add this stunning fern to your collection, you can find it in our nursery as Adiantum cunninghamii (New Zealand Maidenhair Fern).

Growing New Zealand Maidenhair Fern in Your Garden

This fern thrives in moist, well-drained soil and prefers partial to full shade—making it perfect for those tricky spots beneath trees, beside water features, or along the southern side of your house. The New Zealand maidenhair fern enjoys a humid environment and should be watered regularly, but it does not like to have its roots waterlogged. If growing indoors, place your fern in bright, indirect light and mist it regularly to maintain humidity. Use premium potting mix and avoid placing the plant near heating sources or draughts.

Why Choose a New Zealand Maidenhair Fern?

Gardeners love the New Zealand maidenhair fern for its delicate texture and ability to fill shaded corners with vibrant greenery. Beyond aesthetic appeal, this fern contributes to garden biodiversity and provides habitat for beneficial insects. It pairs beautifully with bold foliage plants and other native ferns, making layered, naturalistic plantings easy to achieve. If you’re building a collection, consider exploring other maidenhair types like Adiantum hispidulum (Rough Maidenhair Fern) for contrasting textures, Adiantum formosum (Giant Maidenhair Fern) for a dramatic effect, or Adiantum aleuticum (Five-Finger Fern) for a distinctive look.

Companion Ferns and Care Tips

To create a truly lush fernery or forest floor effect, mix your New Zealand maidenhair fern with species such as Davallia fejeensis (Rabbits Foot Fern), which offers intriguing foliage and textural interest. Regularly trim any spent fronds to keep your ferns looking fresh and mulch around the roots to maintain soil moisture and suppress weeds.

Add Elegance with New Zealand Maidenhair Fern

Whether you’re seeking a standout indoor specimen or a garden wonder, the New Zealand maidenhair fern makes an enduring choice. Its airy foliage, adaptability, and local heritage make it popular in New Zealand gardens and beyond. Visit our nursery to find your next Adiantum cunninghamii (New Zealand Maidenhair Fern) and enjoy the timeless elegance these ferns bring to your space.


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Whether you need assistance finding the plant you’re looking for or you simply want to know more about who we are and what we do, we invite you to get in touch with us today. A member of The Plant Company team will get back in touch as soon as possible.

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