Pteris
( TARE - iss )
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At-A-Glance InformationThis genus of evergreen ferns is commonly called Brake, Table Fern, , and includes species which need partial to full shade and moderate to regular water to perform well in the landscape. They are native to the tropical and subtropical regions around the world and produce feathery, wing-like green fronds. These ferns can be used as bioremediation for arsenic-contaminated soils. They are more commonly grown as ornamentals in shady garden borders, to naturalize under trees in woodland landscapes, or in containers on patios or walkways. These ferns are also cultivated as indoor houseplants in cooler climates.
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pteris Species and Varietals
The genus Pteris is the type member of the plant family Pteridaceae, and includes about 300 species. The ferns in this genus are related to those in Pellaea (Cliff Brake). The best growing zones for Pteris vary depending on the species cultivated. For more information, see the descriptions below. To find your zone, click here: Zone Map.
Pteris cretica (Cretan Brake, Ribbon Fern, Cretan Brake Fern, Table Fern)
This species is suited for USDA hardiness zones 9-12 or Sunset growing zones 17, 23, 24, H1 and H2. It is considered easy to grow and tops out at 2.5 feet tall and 2 feet wide at maturity. Thin, green fronds have narrow leaflets. This species is considered invasive in California, Florida, Illinois, and Hawai'i in the United States as well as Peru, New Zealand, and the British Isles.
This species is suited for USDA hardiness zones 9-12 or Sunset growing zones 17, 23, 24, H1 and H2. It is considered easy to grow and tops out at 2.5 feet tall and 2 feet wide at maturity. Thin, green fronds have narrow leaflets. This species is considered invasive in California, Florida, Illinois, and Hawai'i in the United States as well as Peru, New Zealand, and the British Isles.
'Albolineata'
Grey-green fronds with a central bold creamy white stripe. |
'Mayii'
Narrow, pale green fronds with a white central band and forked, crested tips. |
'Ping Wu'
Dense dwarf fern with narrow green fronds. |
'Riverstoniana'
Attractive, irregularly lobed leaf margins. |
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Pteris ensiformis (Slender Brake, Silver Lace Fern, Sword Brake Fern, Slender Brake Fern) This species is native to tropical and subtropical Asia, Australia, and the Pacific, and is suited for USDA hardiness zones 9-11 or Sunset growing zones 17, 23, 24, H1 and H2. These clumping ferns reach up to 3 feet tall and a little less wide. Fronds are narrowly divided and intricately variegated with white. The main cultivar of this species is 'Evergemiensis' (pictured). |
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Pteris multifida (Spider Brake, Chinese Brake, Spider Fern, Huguenot Fern, Ribbon Fern, Saw-Leaved Bracken, Well-Side Grass, Herb by the Well Curb, 井栏边草, Chicken Claw Grass, 鸡爪草, Inomotosou, 井口草, イノモトソウ) This species is native to central and southern China, Japan, the Ryukyu Islands, Taiwan, Korea and Vietnam. It is a small, clumping perennial fern with narrow green fronds. It grows from a scaly rhizome and reaches up to 18 to 24 inches tall at maturity. Great for growing in crevices in retaining walls or in rock walls. |
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Pteris tremula (Australian Brake, Tender Brake, Tender Brakefern, Shaking Brake) This fern has graceful, lacy fronds on slender upright stalks and is a great landscape fern with a beautiful silhouette. It is fast growing and does well in USDA hardiness zones 9-11 or Sunset growing zones 16, 17, and 22-24. These ferns reach up to 5 feet tall and 3 feet wide at maturity. This species is considered invasive in regions of South Africa, California, Argentina, Fiji, and Hawai'i. |
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Pteris vittata (Chinese Brake, Chinese Ladder Brake, Ladder Brake, Ayan, Shaking Brake) This species of Brake is native to Asia, southern Europe, tropical Africa, and Australia and is suited for growing in USDA hardiness zones 7b-11. It is an evergreen fern with long, pinnate, ladder-like fronds that can reach up to 0.5 to 2.5 feet tall when mature. Cultivars of this species include 'Benzilan' and 'Taoyuan'. This species is considered invasive in Florida and Hawai'i in the United States, Cuba, Brazil, Guam, Malaysia, and other Pacific Islands. |
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Caring for Pteris
Pteris, or Brakes, are considered easy to care for and low-maintenance as long as their growing conditions are met. Plant in an area that is in bright, indirect light or filtered shade, ensuring that during the warmest hours of the day (typically between 2 and 3 PM) that it is not in direct sunlight, which will scorch fronds. These ferns love rich, damp soil and can tolerate considerable sun if given enough water (keep the soil constantly moist in these conditions), but they do prefer to be planted in areas with full or partial shade. Ensure that soil is well-draining, rich in nutrients, and has a pH of between 5.5 and 6.5 (acidic to neutral). If local soils are particularly poor in nutrients or do not drain well, make sure to amend the planting area with plenty of organic compost before installing. Apply a layer of mulch around the planting area to suppress weed growth, maintain consistent soil temperatures, and to increase soil moisture retention.
Water new plantings regularly as they establish a strong root system in their new home. At maturity, consistent waterings are key but ferns should never be left in soggy conditions, which will cause rot. Fertilize yearly in springtime with 2 inches of compost applied around the base of plants. Pull mulch back, work the compost gently into the soil a bit, water it in, and then replace mulch. Pruning can be done after new growth has appeared; remove dead fronds, trim yellowing leaves, and clear out old growth. Never shear these plants. If these ferns are grown in a cramped space like a narrow border or container, they may need to be divided every few years for best results. For instructions on how to successfully divide your Brake, see the propagation section below. Pteris ferns are long-lived perennials that can live for a decade or more in the landscape before needing to be replaced. They grow to form clumps over time through underground rhizome roots which can be divided, providing new ferns for the landscape indefinitely.
Caring for Pteris in Containers
Pteris ferns do well in the ground, but they can also be grown in containers. They are popular indoor plants, and can also be grown in pots or hanging baskets outdoors. Choose a container that is at least 8 to 12 inches wide and as deep, and ensure that it has adequate drainage holes on the bottom to allow excess water to drain away from the root zone. Fill with a well-draining potting mix. Water regularly as the plant establishes itself in its new home. Once established, these ferns prefer to receive regular water, though this varies somewhat depending on the species grown. Pteris plants grown in containers will need more frequent irrigation than those grown in the ground. As a general rule of thumb, water whenever the top few inches of soil feels dry to the touch. Pruning can be done after new growth has appeared; remove dead fronds, trim yellowing leaves, and clear out old growth. Every few years, check the bottom of the pot to ensure that the plant is not outgrowing its root space. If roots are growing through the drainage holes in the bottom of the container, it is a good indication that it needs to be potted up; choose a slightly larger container and repot.
Caring for Pteris Indoors
Choose a container for your fern that is about 8 to 12 inches wide and just as deep. Ensure that the container has adequate drainage holes before planting and a tray underneath to catch excess water. These ferns do well in a well-draining, organically rich soil. After planting, set the container in a space that is sheltered from dry, cool drafts. They prefer a humidity of between 50% and 80%, which can be imitated by misting twice daily. Provide these ferns with bright, indirect light. A spot inside of an east or north-facing window is ideal. Avoid placing in direct sun, even indoors, as this can sunburn foliage. If placing in a south or west-facing window, use a sheer curtain to block the harsh, direct rays of the afternoon sun. They can tolerate low-light conditions indoors, though their growth may be very slow and color will fade. Water whenever the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch. Withhold feedings and lessen waterings in fall and winter when the fern is dormant. Every few years, they will need to be divided. For instructions on how to successfully divide Pteris ferns, see the Propagation section below.
Water new plantings regularly as they establish a strong root system in their new home. At maturity, consistent waterings are key but ferns should never be left in soggy conditions, which will cause rot. Fertilize yearly in springtime with 2 inches of compost applied around the base of plants. Pull mulch back, work the compost gently into the soil a bit, water it in, and then replace mulch. Pruning can be done after new growth has appeared; remove dead fronds, trim yellowing leaves, and clear out old growth. Never shear these plants. If these ferns are grown in a cramped space like a narrow border or container, they may need to be divided every few years for best results. For instructions on how to successfully divide your Brake, see the propagation section below. Pteris ferns are long-lived perennials that can live for a decade or more in the landscape before needing to be replaced. They grow to form clumps over time through underground rhizome roots which can be divided, providing new ferns for the landscape indefinitely.
Caring for Pteris in Containers
Pteris ferns do well in the ground, but they can also be grown in containers. They are popular indoor plants, and can also be grown in pots or hanging baskets outdoors. Choose a container that is at least 8 to 12 inches wide and as deep, and ensure that it has adequate drainage holes on the bottom to allow excess water to drain away from the root zone. Fill with a well-draining potting mix. Water regularly as the plant establishes itself in its new home. Once established, these ferns prefer to receive regular water, though this varies somewhat depending on the species grown. Pteris plants grown in containers will need more frequent irrigation than those grown in the ground. As a general rule of thumb, water whenever the top few inches of soil feels dry to the touch. Pruning can be done after new growth has appeared; remove dead fronds, trim yellowing leaves, and clear out old growth. Every few years, check the bottom of the pot to ensure that the plant is not outgrowing its root space. If roots are growing through the drainage holes in the bottom of the container, it is a good indication that it needs to be potted up; choose a slightly larger container and repot.
Caring for Pteris Indoors
Choose a container for your fern that is about 8 to 12 inches wide and just as deep. Ensure that the container has adequate drainage holes before planting and a tray underneath to catch excess water. These ferns do well in a well-draining, organically rich soil. After planting, set the container in a space that is sheltered from dry, cool drafts. They prefer a humidity of between 50% and 80%, which can be imitated by misting twice daily. Provide these ferns with bright, indirect light. A spot inside of an east or north-facing window is ideal. Avoid placing in direct sun, even indoors, as this can sunburn foliage. If placing in a south or west-facing window, use a sheer curtain to block the harsh, direct rays of the afternoon sun. They can tolerate low-light conditions indoors, though their growth may be very slow and color will fade. Water whenever the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch. Withhold feedings and lessen waterings in fall and winter when the fern is dormant. Every few years, they will need to be divided. For instructions on how to successfully divide Pteris ferns, see the Propagation section below.
Propagation
Pteris ferns are best propagated via division. This type of propagation is relatively simple; you will need a clean shovel, mulch, fresh soil, compost, and pots (only necessary if you will be saving divided plants for transporting elsewhere). Division is best done in spring or fall (after the plant has entered dormancy but before it has begun its new spring growth), and needs to be done every few years regardless of whether you have the goal of propagating the plants for best performance. To propagate Pteris by division, follow these steps:
- Gather your materials. Using a shovel, dig up your existing fern. Start from the outside and work your way in to avoid damaging the roots. Once you have worked it up out of the ground, lay it out.
- Start to tease apart the roots with your fingers. Once the roots are untangled, separate your fern into segments, ensuring that each one has at least one thick root section.
- Prepare your pot(s) or new planting site(s) with amended, well-draining soil. You can either bring in new soil or simply amend your existing soil with compost to complete this task. Then, plant your divided ferns in soil at the same height as they were previously, and water thoroughly.
- Apply a thick layer of mulch around the new fern to protect it from cold weather as it acclimates to its new home. Then, enjoy watching it grow.
Problems and Pests
Pteris ferns can be susceptible to developing issues with the following pests and diseases in the landscape:
- Spider Mites
- Mealybugs
- Root Rot
- Fungus Gnats
Gallery
These ferns are ideal for vertical gardening projects and shady crevice gardens.
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Chinese Ladder Brake adds lush height and texture to this mixed shady tropical bed.
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Brake foliage is deeply divided and can be variegated.
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A Brake sporeling.
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These ferns are commonly cultivated as indoor houseplants, especially cultivars with variegated foliage.
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Pteris ferns produce marginal sori.
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