Common Name: cretan brake
Type: Fern
Family: Pteridaceae
Native Range: Old World tropics and subtropics
Zone: 9 to 12
Height: 1.00 to 2.00 feet
Spread: 1.00 to 2.00 feet
Bloom Time: Non-flowering
Sun: Part shade to full shade
Water: Medium
Maintenance: Low
Leaf: Evergreen
Tolerate: Rabbit
Culture
Winter hardy to USDA Zone 9-12. In St. Louis, grow indoors in a warm, humid environment in bright indirect light to shade. Avoid direct sun. Likes high humidity, and appreciates a humidified room or being set on a tray of wet pebbles. Use a sandy, soil-based potting mix with some added limestone chips. Clay pots help keep roots cool. Water regularly during the growing season, but slightly reduce watering from fall to late winter. Roots must never be allowed to dry out. Fronds may be cut back to the base to rejuvenate plant.
Noteworthy Characteristics
Pteris cretica, commonly called Cretan brake fern, ribbon fern or table fern, is a slow-growing evergreen fern that typically rises to 18-24” tall and as wide. It is native to Europe, Asia and Africa. Arching pale green fronds, each with 1-5 pairs of simple or forked pinnae. Fronds have a graceful appearance. Pteris comes from the Greek word for feather. ‘Albolineata’ has grayish fronds with white central patches down the center of each leaflet.
Genus name comes from the Greek name pteris meaning fern for the feathery fronds.
Specific epithet means Crete.
‘Albolineata’ has grayish fronds with white central patches down the center of each leaflet.
Problems
No serious insect or disease problems. Watch for aphids, mealybugs and scale. Rust and leaf spots may occur. Try not to touch the fronds because they tend to bruise rather easily.
Garden Uses
Houseplant for shady areas.