Cretan Brake Fern

Cretan Brake Fern Care

Pteris cretica

What is the plant

The Cretan brake fern is one of the most popular grown indoors from the Pteris genus, but what is also important: one of the easiest to grow.

Cretan Brake Ferns have flat fronds that are pinnate, which separates them visually from traditional fern plants. It can reach up to 1 - 2.5ft. (30 - 80cm). It displays different shaped and colored fronds and has unique broad green leaflets with a pale center that reach up to 50 cm.

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Humidity

High

Lighting

Part Sun

Temperature

15°C - 15°C

Hardiness zone

9 - 12

Difficulty

Hard

How to Care for the Plant

Water
Try to keep the soil moist at all times, so water daily during summer, but reduce it to 2-3 times a week by the winter. You can also keep it moist by immersing the pot in warm water until the air bubbles stop appearing.
Pruning
This plant tolerates pruning well. Even if the entire plant gets dry, you can drastically prune the fern by cutting off all the shoots. Plenty of watering will inevitably lead to the appearance of young shoots and a full recovery of the fern.
Fertilizer
Use a diluted fertilizer once a month to encourage healthy growth from April to September. Do not over-fertilize! You can use just a half of what the bottle instructions advise.

Disease diagnosis

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Sunlight
This plant does not like direct sun or full shade but adapts well to different conditions with diffused light and semi-shade. Try to choose northern windowsills and places similar to them in terms of light.
Soil
Use peat-based potting mix as your “go-to.”
Propagation
The easiest way to propagate Cretan Brake Fern is by division.

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Temperature
The ideal temperature for this plant will be between 65 and 75ºF (18-24ºC), but never below 55ºF (13ºC).
Container
Note that this fern needs repotting every year, and you should increase the size of a container by one size over the previous one. Other than that, make sure that it has good drainage.
Fun fact
Pteris Cretica belongs to the oldest plants on our planet. In the mythology of different cultures, the fern possesses magical power. It has been the subject of films, paintings, and staged photographs that have become world-famous.