Adiantum venustum aka Himalayan Maidenhair

Adiantum venustum is a fern in the Pteridaceae family. Its common names include evergreen maidenhair and Venus' hair fern. Its native range runs from Afghanistan to western and central China. It grows on forest slopes and among cracks in rocks. In Nepal, it lives in damp, shaded, rocky sites. Records there span heights of 984–11,811 feet [300–3,600 metres]. It suits woodland gardens and shaded garden edges.

Thin rhizomes creep through the soil and form spreading mats. The fronds have an egg-shaped outline with small, fan-shaped segments. RHS describes mats about 0.8 feet [0.25 metres] tall. Its listed garden height spans 0.3–1.6 feet [0.1–0.5 metres]. Plants spread about 1.6–3.3 feet [0.5–1 metre]. They may take 10–20 years to reach full size. Fronds can turn rust-brown during autumn and winter. The plant loses its leaves in colder conditions. In mild areas, it keeps much of its foliage. Gardeners can raise new plants from spores.

Grow this fern in full or partial shade outdoors. Choose soil with some fertility that stays moist but drains well. RHS lists chalk, clay, loam, and sand as suitable soils. It also accepts acid, neutral, and alkaline conditions. Under glass, give it bright light filtered from direct sun. Keep the air fairly humid, with good airflow around plants. RHS recommends a loose mix with leaf mould and sharp sand. Other ingredients include loam, bark, charcoal, and lime chips. Feed monthly during growth with balanced liquid fertiliser at half strength. RHS rates its hardiness H7. Chicago Botanic Garden lists USDA zones 5–9 for the species.

Its spreading growth makes useful ground cover for shaded beds. It also fits beneath shrubs and roses in informal gardens. Chicago Botanic Garden lists it for borders and specimen planting. Its finely divided fronds provide the main garden interest. It needs no routine pruning, though damaged fronds can go in spring. RHS reports few disease problems. Scale insects can cause trouble when plants grow under glass.

Plants For A Future lists no known edible uses. It records traditional uses for both fronds and rhizomes. These include treating headaches, scorpion stings, cuts, and wounds. Such records do not establish that home treatment is safe. The source reports no known toxicity cases for this species. That does not establish that the plant is safe to eat.