What to Do When Maidenhair Fern Leaves Turn Yellow? Causes and Solutions

The maidenhair fern (Adiantum) is highly adaptable, easy to grow, and suitable for year-round indoor potting. It is one of the most common green plants in homes, with a graceful and elegant form and extremely high ornamental value. However, many people often run into the problem of yellowing maidenhair fern leaves when growing it. Let's take a look below at what to do when maidenhair fern leaves turn yellow!

Yellowing leaves caused by too much light

[Cause of yellowing] The maidenhair fern is a shade-loving plant. If exposed to direct strong sunlight, the leaf edges easily become scorched and the leaves turn yellow and withered.

[Solution] When growing it outdoors, pay attention to shading, but it still needs sufficient sunlight to grow. Indoors, it is best to place the pot on a windowsill facing east or north.

Yellowing leaves caused by insufficient watering

[Cause of yellowing] During the growing period, the maidenhair fern needs thorough watering and fairly high air humidity to keep its leaf color deep green. If water supply is insufficient or the air is dry, the leaves will turn yellow or develop curled, scorched edges.

[Solution] During the peak growing season, the maidenhair fern needs to be misted on its branches and leaves 2~3 times a day.

Yellowing leaves caused by improper fertilizing

[Cause of yellowing] Improper watering and fertilizing of the maidenhair fern can stain the leaf surface, causing the leaves to turn yellow and withered and affecting its ornamental effect.

[Solution] The maidenhair fern does not need much fertilizer. Generally, applying a dilute cake fertilizer solution once every 2~3 weeks is enough. Adding a small amount of calcium fertilizer gives even better results.

Yellowing leaves caused by unsuitable soil

[Cause of yellowing] The maidenhair fern grows fast and needs repotting every spring. It prefers loose, well-drained, fertile calcareous sandy loam. When repotting, pay attention to the choice of soil. If the soil does not match the maidenhair fern's growth habits, it easily leads to poor growth, and the leaves begin to turn yellow and drop.

[Solution] For potting, the growing medium can be made by mixing equal parts of loam, leaf mold and river sand.

Yellowing leaves caused by improper pruning

[Cause of yellowing] During care, any withered leaves found on the maidenhair fern should be cut off promptly to keep the plant fresh and attractive and to encourage new leaves to sprout. Otherwise, the branches and leaves become too messy and crowded, which leads to weak growth and yellowing leaves.

[Solution] When the maidenhair fern's leaf clusters become too dense, the old leaves can be pruned appropriately each autumn.

After reading this introduction, you now know how to deal with yellowing maidenhair fern leaves, right!