---
title: "I recently inherited this sorry looking maidenhair fern that had been…"
description: "I recently inherited this sorry looking maidenhair fern that had been seriously neglected. Following the care advice on here we finally have some green…"
url: "https://getplanta.com/community/NiZALrtASBeROEC20lQA3w/pKVufu9HxmkKbXKZUkxQEq"
community: "Fern Friends"
author: "GaryB"
published: "2025-01-10T11:14:45.992431Z"
language: "en"
image: "https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/ci7L7CSFgpwSrjCW2JcSZaqUgj1_Bz416TeSovBEQ-Y/4cK5bCIzTXah9X3tXaHbBA.webp?size=large"
---

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# I recently inherited this sorry looking maidenhair fern that had been…

_Posted by GaryB on 2025-01-10_

I recently inherited this sorry looking maidenhair fern that had been seriously neglected. Following the care advice on here we finally have some green shoots!!  
Do I trim back the old growth now or let it do its thing? Even though the old leaves are dry/dead I don’t want to shock it.

![Attachment 1 of 1](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/ci7L7CSFgpwSrjCW2JcSZaqUgj1_Bz416TeSovBEQ-Y/4cK5bCIzTXah9X3tXaHbBA.webp?size=large)

## 2 comments

### Wolfen 🐺 commented on 2025-01-10

Trim it back. It will encourage more new growth

### Haley commented on 2026-08-08

It won't shock it. If the leaves are dead, as far as the plant is concerned they've already been cut off. Cutting them will let the new shoots get more light

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