About

A tufted, evergreen variegated fern with feathery silvery-white fronds edged with green. An ideal fern to add to a Terrarium.

About the genus

Pteris can be evergreen, semi-evergreen or deciduous ferns, with short or long rhizomes and fronds that may be pinnate to 4-pinnate

Growing conditions

SunlightFull shade, Partial shade
Soil typeLoam, Chalk, Sand
Soil pHAlkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained
AspectSouth-facing, East-facing, West-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH1C

Plant details

Plant typeFerns
HabitTufted
FoliageEvergreen
Height0.1-0.5 metres
Spread0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height5-10 years
Suggested usesHouseplants, Patio and container plants, Rock garden, Cottage and informal garden

Care notes

CultivationGrow outdoors in moist but well-drained soil with plenty of added leaf-mould or in a container under glass with added limestone chips in high humidity. See how to grow tender ferns outdoors or house to grow ferns as houseplants for further advice
PruningDead or damaged fronds may be removed as necessary
PropagationPropagate by sowing spores as soon as ripe or division of rhizomes in spring
Pest resistanceGenerally pest-free outdoors but under glass may be susceptible to scale insects and eelworms
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to sooty mould