PLNTversePLNTverse
Plants › Ferns

Cretan brake (Pteris cretica)

Pteris cretica is a clumping, evergreen perennial fern with a short rhizome that runs horizontally or obliquely.

LightSources differ in their descriptions of light conditions, ranging from full shade to partial shade; indoors, bright indirect light is indicated while strong direct sunlight should be avoided. Pteris cretica tolerates sha
WaterDuring active growth, keep the medium moist but well drained, avoiding prolonged excessive wetness as well as complete drying; in winter, watering can wait until the potting medium is drier. Keep evenly moist.
HumidityPteris cretica prefers high humidity and has a high humidity need.
TemperatureHardiness classifications are reported under both USDA and RHS systems. A single source reports a minimum temperature of about 2 °C, so sources are few for this value. It is frost tender; keep above freezing, and it is c
Track your Cretan brake in the PLNTverse app
Cretan brake illustration

Overview

Pteris cretica is a clumping, evergreen perennial fern with a short rhizome that runs horizontally or obliquely.

Origin and habitat

Sources differ on the native range, which is described broadly across Europe, Africa, and Asia, including the Mediterranean region and tropical to subtropical Asia, with native records in Taiwan. It is reported to occur on mountain forest floors, at forest edges and roadsides, on limestone, shaded moist rocky slopes, in rock crevices and forest scree, and in areas influenced by waterfall mist, favoring moist, shaded conditions. It occurs mainly from tropical to subtropical regions and can also occur in warm regions with mild winters, favoring warm, moist conditions.

Characteristics

Sources differ on mature size, placing height at about 30–90 cm and spread at about 10–60 cm. The pinnate leaves have relatively long stalks and range from yellow-green to dark green, with narrow, linear to lance-shaped lateral pinnae; vegetative leaves have broader pinnae, while fertile fronds are taller with narrower pinnae, and the margins may be toothed. It is reported to have a creeping rhizome.

Light

Sources differ in their descriptions of light conditions, ranging from full shade to partial shade; indoors, bright indirect light is indicated while strong direct sunlight should be avoided. Pteris cretica tolerates shade.

Watering

During active growth, keep the medium moist but well drained, avoiding prolonged excessive wetness as well as complete drying; in winter, watering can wait until the potting medium is drier. Keep evenly moist.

Humidity and airflow

Pteris cretica prefers high humidity and has a high humidity need.

Temperature and dormancy

Hardiness classifications are reported under both USDA and RHS systems. A single source reports a minimum temperature of about 2 °C, so sources are few for this value. It is frost tender; keep above freezing, and it is considered tender.

Growing medium and mounting

Use a moist but well-drained, humus-rich medium; loam, sandy soil, or a lime-containing medium can be used, and RHS indicates neutral to alkaline conditions.

Feeding

During the growing period from spring through autumn, a single source reports feeding with either a slow-release compound fertilizer at regular intervals or a fast-acting liquid fertilizer more frequently.

Propagation

Pteris cretica can be propagated by spores or division, and another source indicates that Pteris can also be propagated from sections of rhizome. Spores are reported to mature or disperse in summer and to be wind-dispersed; the species includes both apomictic and sexual reproductive forms. The rhizome can be divided in spring, or offsets can be removed during repotting for division.

Common problems

In greenhouse conditions, scale insects and nematodes may cause damage; horticultural information for Pteris also records spider mites and leaf-rolling moth pests. Sooty mold may occur, and horticultural information for Pteris also records anthracnose. Dry air is reported to impair development of young leaves, while potting medium that is either too wet or too dry is unfavorable for growth. It is sensitive to frost and freezing, should be protected from frost during cold periods, and favors a warmer, protected position.

Identification

Pteris cretica has a distinct terminal pinna and several pairs of narrow, elongated lateral pinnae; sori extend along the pinna margins beneath false indusia formed by the rolled leaf margins, and fertile fronds are usually taller and narrower than vegetative leaves.

Photos

Pteris cretica
📷 naturewatchwidow · CC BY 4.0 · source
Pteris cretica
📷 no rights reserved, uploaded by M. quinquenervia · CC0 · source

Sources