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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

5 from 1 customers

Leptinella dioica (Bachelor Button Plant) is a low growing evergreen groundcover valued for its fine fern like foliage and ability to create a dense carpet of greenery. The attractive foliage provides year round texture and softens pathways, rock gardens, and garden edges. Its spreading habit and hardy nature make it an excellent choice for filling gaps between paving stones and covering difficult areas. Leptinella dioica (Bachelor Button Plant) performs well in New Zealand conditions and requires very little maintenance once established.

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, Tropical
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Arthropodium cirratum (Rengarenga) plants in flower with lush green foliage in a border garden.
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Arthropodium 'Te Puna' plants with elegant white flowers bordering a path.
Arthropodium 'Te Puna' (Rengarenga Lily)

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.
Dysoxylum spectabile (New Zealand Mahogany)

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A large Agathis australis (Kauri tree) in a native reserve.
Agathis australis (New Zealand Kauri)

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Libocedrus plumosa (Kawaka) tree with green-yellow foliage.
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Dianella nigra (New Zealand Blueberry)

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Adiantum cunninghamii ferns with short fronds bearing small, green leaves.
Adiantum cunninghamii (New Zealand Maidenhair Fern)

Adiantum cunninghamii is a graceful NZ native maidenhair fern prized for its finely divided fronds and soft, airy appearance. With delicate leaflets...

OUT OF STOCK
Adiantum hispidulum (Rough Maidenhair Fern) with slender, green fronds.
Adiantum hispidulum (Rough Maidenhair Fern)

Adiantum hispidulum, commonly known as the Rough Maidenhair Fern or Rosy Maidenhair Fern, is a NZ native that features short and showy fronds. Young...

OUT OF STOCK
Adiantum formosum fern in a shade garden and featuring slender, green fronds.
Adiantum formosum (Giant Maidenhair Fern)

Adiantum formosum (Giant Maidenhair Fern) is a striking fern admired for its tall, elegant fronds and delicate leaf structure held on fine black...

OUT OF STOCK
Adiantum aethiopicum (Maidenhair fern) with fine and elegant, green foliage.
Adiantum aethiopicum

Adiantum aethiopicum (Maidenhair Fern) is a graceful fern adored for its delicate, fan shaped leaflets and fine black stems. Thriving in moist...

OUT OF STOCK
Adiantum aleuticum ferns growing as a cluster and featuring lush,green foliage.
Adiantum aleuticum (Five-Finger Fern)

Adiantum aleuticum, commonly known as the Western Maidenhair Fern or Five-Finger Fern, carries attractive, soft, mid-green foliage. The new fronds...

OUT OF STOCK
Davallia fejeensis fern.
Davallia fejeensis  (Rabbits Foot Fern)

Davallia fejeensis is a distinctive fern admired for its finely cut fronds and furry rhizomes that cascade beautifully over pots and ledges. Popular...

OUT OF STOCK
Asplenium nidus-avis fern in a native reserve and featuring long, green fronds.
Asplenium nidus avis (Birds Nest Fern)

Asplenium nidus avis is a bold bird nest style fern known for its wide glossy fronds that radiate from a central rosette. Its architectural form...

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Asplenium 'Southern Belle' fern with lush, green fronds.
Asplenium 'Southern Belle' (Chicken Fern)

Asplenium Southern Belle is an elegant fern admired for its glossy arching fronds and symmetrical rosette form. It thrives in shaded NZ gardens and...

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Davallia mariesii fern with elegant, green fronds.
Davallia mariesii (Squirrels Foot Fern)

Davallia mariesii is a beautifully delicate fern recognised for its finely cut fronds and decorative furry rhizomes that drape elegantly over pots...

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Davallia solida (Rabbit Foot Fern) plant with lush, green fronds.
Davallia solida (Rabbits Foot Fern)

Davallia solida (Rabbit Foot Fern) is a charming fern recognised for its soft, lacy fronds and furry rhizomes that creep gracefully over the soil...

OUT OF STOCK
Large Asplenium Maori Princess in an orange pot with lush, green foliage.
Asplenium 'Maori Princess' (Chicken And Hen Fern)

Asplenium ‘Maori Princess’, also known as the Mother Spleenwort Fern, is a striking NZ native fern featuring glossy, dark green fronds with a...

OUT OF STOCK
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Doodia australis (Rasp Fern)

Doodia australis is a hardy evergreen fern admired for its fresh bronze red new fronds that mature to rich green, creating year round texture and...

OUT OF STOCK
A cluster of Cyathea medullaris (Black Tree Ferns).
Cyathea medullaris (Black Tree Fern)

Cyathea medullaris, commonly known as Black Tree Fern or Mamaku, is one of New Zealand’s most impressive native ferns. This majestic species is...

OUT OF STOCK
Cyathea cunninghamii tree ferns.
Cyathea cunninghamii (Slender Tree Fern)

Cyathea cunninghamii, commonly known as the Gully Tree Fern, produces a tall and slender, brown trunk and can grow up to 15 m tall with a spread of 6...

OUT OF STOCK
A Cyathea smithii tree fern in a native reserve.
Cyathea smithii (Ponga Fern)

Cyathea smithii, commonly known as Ponga Tree or Soft Tree Fern, is a beautiful New Zealand native fern admired for its graceful fronds and soft...

OUT OF STOCK
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Platycerium bifurcatum Netherlands (Elkhorn Fern)

Platycerium bifurcatum 'Netherlands' is a striking ornamental fern admired for its dramatic antler shaped fronds and unique architectural form...

OUT OF STOCK
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Pteris cretica (Cretan Brake Fern)

Pteris cretica (Cretan Brake Fern) is an elegant evergreen fern prized for its graceful arching fronds and lush green foliage. It is an excellent...

OUT OF STOCK
Muehlenbeckia complexa (Pohuehue)

Did you find what you are looking for?

You might be interested in exploring related Latin Names - Arthropodium, Dysoxylum, and Ginkgo, or related Categories - Groundcover Plants, Indoor Plants, and Perennials.

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.

–The Plant Company

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