Plant Description

Pteris cretica 'Albolineata'

Pteris cretica Albolineata (front) with Cyrtomium falcatum at rear

This evergreen, frost-sensitive fern, known as the Cretan brake fern (ht 45 cm), comes from tropical and subtropical Asia, Africa and Mediterranean countries, and has long, pencil-thin fingers of leaves, with silvery-white central bands. It spreads into a clump via rhizomes. Brake ferns in the wild generally grow in the shaded, damp gullies of warm-climate rainforests. Thus, in a garden setting, this fern enjoys a moist, well-drained soil, rich in organic matter. It will grow best in full shade or partial shade. It can also be grown as an indoor pot plant - spray the leaves with water regularly to maintain humidity. This plant self-sows abundantly in my garden, even appearing on brick walls! These can be carefully detached and replanted. The rhizomes can also be divided to propagate the plant.

 

Pteris cretica 'Albolineata'
Plant Family: Pteridaceae

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