About
An evergreen fern with erect or arching fronds to 45cm in length, pinnately divided into 3-5 pairs of linear pinnae, each with a broad central creamy-white stripe.
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 typeChalk, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAlkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained
AspectSouth-facing, East-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH1C
Plant details
Plant typeFerns
HabitClump forming
FoliageEvergreen
Height0.1-0.5 metres
Spread0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesPatio and container plants
Native toChina, Taiwan, Japan
Care notes
CultivationGrow outdoors in any chalk-free, 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 how 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 resistanceSooty mould may be a problem