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2.9 out of 5 (7 experiences)

Also known as
Brake Fern, Brake Fern, Slender Brake, Silver Lace Fern, Sword Brake Fern, silver ribbon fern, Silverlace Fern and Pteris ensiformis.
Taxonomy
Pteris ensiformis
Pteris
Pteridaceae
Polypodiales

How to care for Pteris Ensiformis
How often to water your Pteris Ensiformis

every 9
Pteris Ensiformis needs 0.5 cups of water every 9 when it doesn’t get direct sunlight and is potted in a 5" pot.
Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.
Water 0.5 cups every
9
Finding light for Brake Fern in your home

a window
Pteris Ensiformis may have difficulty thriving, and will drop leaves 🍃, without ample sunlight.
Place it less than 3 feet from a south-facing window to maximize the potential for growth.
Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement of Pteris Ensiformis in your home 🏡.
How to fertilize Pteris Ensiformis

Most potting soils come with ample nutrients which plants use to produce new growth.
By the time your plant has depleted the nutrients in its soil it’s likely grown enough to need a larger pot anyway.
To replenish this plant's nutrients, repot your Pteris Ensiformis after it doubles in size or once a year—whichever comes first.
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Greg has no clue regarding this one’s identity.. anyone can help? Got it at #thelaundryplantstore
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he is crispy yet he grows #BrakeFern crispy but has brand new shoots coming out. what do i do with the crispy leaves? i let him dry out by accident a few weeks ago :(
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My plant turned very pale this winter and has a few dark dried area on leaves. I cut out the dead and I’ve misted more often. Thoughts? #CretanBrake
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Anyone with experience growing ferns by wavy glass block windows? I have a window ledge in my shower begging for plants and I thought ferns would love the humidity. Thoughts? #CretanBrake
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Can this plant handle direct sunlight? Currently getting a little grow light action but I want to move her to an east window. 2-4 hours of direct sunlight.. what do you think? #CretanBrake
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My Cretan Brake turned white. Not a speck of green anywhere. Some black on leaves. Anyone know why? #CretanBrake
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Over the last few weeks my Blake fern has really gotten a ton of brown spots. I just applied some organic fungicide and haven’t been over watering, and I’ve cut it back a bit. Any other ideas on how to revive him? #BrakeFern
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Hello! I'm having some issues with my brake fern's leaves shriveled and becoming pale with brown edges. I try to mist it once a day, and don't typically let the soil dry out (it's happened once before but that was months ago). Any suggestions? #BrakeFern
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What’s up with Cretan? I thought it was scale, but I’ve been using neem oil for two months now and it seems like it’s getting worse. I’ve been watering it extra recently because the leaves are still quite crispy, but perhaps that’s why? Thoughts? #helpneeded #CretanBrake #FernFriends
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The leaves keep growing and then shriveling up and falling off. I tried near window far from window with indirect light.. haven’t figured out how to make this flourish yet. Any suggestions? #CretanBrake
Pteris Ensiformis prefers for the soil to dry out between waterings and should be watered regularly. Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.
☀️ Sunlight Needs
Pteris Ensiformis may have difficulty thriving and will drop leaves 🍃 without ample sunlight. Place it less than 3 feet from a window to maximize the potential for growth. Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement in your home 🏡.
🐶 🐈 👶 Toxicity
Greg does not have confirmed data on this plant’s toxicity. If you, a family member, or a pet consumes plant material of unknown toxicity, it’s always best to consult a medical professional.
If you or someone else ingested this plant, call Poison Control at US (800) 222-1222. If a pet consumed this plant, contact your veterinarian or the ASPCA at US (888) 426-4435.
💨 Humidity
Pteris Ensiformis enjoys lots of humidity. Provide humidity for your plant by watering regularly and thoroughly, since plants absorb most water through their root system rather than their leaves. They may also benefit from being placed next to a humidifier.
🪴 Soil
Pteris Ensiformis is very sensitive to dry soil, so choose a potting soil that retains moisture. A good soil will still drain well and contain lots of organic matter such as coco coir or sphagnum moss.
💩 Fertilizer
Pteris Ensiformis should be repotted after it doubles in size or once a year, whichever comes first. Fresh potting soil has all the nutrients your plant needs, so as long as it’s refreshed yearly, you shouldn’t need to use fertilizer. Remember, plants get their energy from sunlight, not fertilizer!
🌎 Native Region
Pteris Ensiformis is native to Tropical and Subtropical regions worldwide.
🌱 Propagation
Pteris Ensiformis can be propagated by division into new individual plants.
- Check to see if there is more than one plant. In some cases they may still be beneath the soil surface. If you feel confident, you may remove the soil to check for baby plantlets below!
- If there are multiple plants growing, unpot the plant and gently tug the plants apart, being careful not to disturb too many of the roots. They may be connected by large root segments which you may need to break to free the plantlet.
- Pot up the new plant in well-draining soil
- Repot the parent plant back into its original pot
🧐 Troubleshooting
When troubleshooting a sad-looking houseplant, start by checking for signs of distress in its leaves, such as yellowing, browning, or drooping, which can indicate overwatering or nutrient deficiencies.
Inspect the soil moisture; too dry or too wet soil can cause problems.
Ensure the plant is getting the right amount of light, as too much or too little can stress it.
Finally, consider environmental factors like temperature and humidity, and adjust care routines accordingly to revive your plant.
Care Summary for Pteris Ensiformis
Pteris Ensiformis
Greg recommends:

0.5 cups every 9 days

< 3ft from a window

Repot after 2x growth
Based on the 4” pot your plant is in, and that it doesn’t get direct sunlight.

What other plant parents say


