Pteris dentata
toothed brake
A versatile, fast-growing, clump-forming, evergreen fern with bright green, slightly cupped, dissected, lace-like foliage. An ideal fern for groundcover in damp soil or shade. May be used as a houseplant and also grown in containers outdoors, if kept well-watered and in a shady location. Hardy in milder parts of the UK, but may need protection from frost
Size
Ultimate height
0.5–1 metresTime to ultimate height
1–2 yearsUltimate spread
0.5–1 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drainedpH
NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Green | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Green | |||
| Autumn | Green | |||
| Winter | Green |
Position
- Full shade
- Partial shade
Aspect
East–facing or North–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered Hardiness
H4Botanical details
- Family
- Pteridaceae
- Native to the UK
- No
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Habit
- Clump forming
- Genus
Pteris can be evergreen, semi-evergreen or deciduous ferns, with short or long rhizomes and fronds that may be pinnate to 4-pinnate
- Name status
Correct
- Plant range
- Turkey, Middle East, Africa
How to grow
Cultivation
Indoors, grow in moist but well-drained compost in a humid location in bright, filtered light. Water regularly to keep soil moist but avoid waterlogging. Repot in spring if showing signs of outgrowing their pot. Feed monthly during the growing sesason (Apr-Sept). Outdoors, grow in moist soil in part or full shade. If growing in containers, ensure that they are kept moist. Protect from frost. See how to grow ferns or how to grow ferns as houseplants for further advice
Propagation
Propagate by spores or division of rhizomes or rootball in spring or when re-potting. Include healthy fronds or leaf buds when dividing
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- City and courtyard gardens
- Cottage and informal garden
- hanging basket
- Houseplants
- Patio and container plants
- Low Maintenance
- Conservatory and greenhouse
- Flower borders and beds
- Ground cover
Pruning
No pruning required. Remove dead fronds as required
Pests
May be susceptible to mealybugs, aphids and red spider mite
Diseases
May be susceptible to leaf spot, bacterial wilt and a virus
Get involved
The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.