Are you looking for an attractive, easy to grow fern for your home? Try a pteris fern: its pretty, feathery foliage looks delicate, yet it will grow rapidly if you follow a few simple steps.

The word pteris is derived from the Greek pteron, meaning feather and referring to the feathery shape of the fronds of this fern. The genus grows wild in tropical and sub-tropical areas from Crete to New Zealand and encompasses about 250 to 300 individual, species, as well as a multitude of different varieties within these.

Three popular varieties for indoor cultivation are P.cretica (which grows on lime stone walls in Crete), P. ensiformis and P. tremula, natives of Australia and New Zealand. These cool-loving plants prefer to be planted in clay, terracotta, or porcelain pots to keep their roots at a relatively low temperature.

The temperature range around a pteris fern should be from about 10 to 13 degrees C, while a high level of humidity in spring and summer will keep plants witout variegation happy and healthy. Variegates need a constant medium to high level of humidity.

Water frequently from spring to late summer, or while the plant continues to grow actively. Use tepid water and mist the fronds if you feel they need it. Soil must not be allowed to dry out completely or the leaves will shrivel and turn brown. Feed once a fortnight while the plant is growing and producing new shoots. For this a mild liquid fertiliser solution is recommended.

Pteris ferns need a good supply of light but cannot tolerate direct sun. Try keeping your plant in a continually shady area, giving it short holidays near a light source to maintain good and healthy condition.

You can propagate pteris ferns easily by collecting spores, sprinkling them on damp peat moss and keeping them at around 24 to 25 degrees C. Cover the container with clear plastic to retain the humidity level high. If you feel that propagation by spore is a little too complicated, divide plants when repotting.

Only repot pteris ferns when they are obviously pot bound. Be careful when you are disentangling the roots from the sides of clay pots, as they tend to stick and can break easily. Use a mixture of equal parts of river sand, peat moss, and loam.

Wash the fronds of your pteris fern every few weeks to banish dust. Use warm water and a soft cloth. Remove any brown or withered fronds at root level to keep your plant looking its best. Pests to watch for are red spiders, mealy bugs, aphids, and thrips.

When you’re selecting a pteris fern in a nursery, go for small plants with plenty of new fronds and healthy green growth. Smaller plants are cheaper and will grow well with care.

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1. gardentree.net » Green plants lighting — June 16, 2011 @ 5:53 am

2. gardentree.net » Dracaena sanderiana — August 1, 2011 @ 1:51 pm

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