Plant Profile: Adiantum raddianum

This perennial fern, which forms clumps and sheds its leaves seasonally, is indigenous to the Tropical Americas and the West Indies. Its genus name is derived from the Greek term "adiantos," meaning "unwetted," a nod to its water-repellent leaves. The specific name honors the Italian botanist Giuseppe Raddi.

This fern thrives in partial to full shade but may lose its vigor if exposed to excessive darkness. It requires consistently moist to wet soil and should not be allowed to dry out. The plant propagates through rhizomes and benefits from high humidity; when cultivated indoors, it flourishes in bathrooms.

The rhizome is short and spreads widely.