Pteris ensiformis 'Evergemiensis'
Sword brake, Snow brake fern
Also known as Pteris evergemiensis
- Height × spread
- 0.35m × 0.5m
- Position
- Tolerates full sun, likes part shade, likes light shade
- Hardiness
- Mild winter to -5C (RHS H3)
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
A fern of great beauty that is highly desirable. The fronds are silvered across their mid section with dark green on the edge and with a darker central rib. They are feathery in appearance and held on slender stems, reaching gracefully outwards with a delicate style. They come in two forms having sterile (infertile) fronds and fertile ones. The sterile form is roughly triangular in its overall shape with three individual leaves at the stem end, the central one being larger. The fertile fronds are much more like ribbons and are long and slender. This fern is small in stature but its fronds will arch and reach over a considerable distance. It needs to be kept moist with well drained humus rich soil and is best in bright indirect light. These plants are too tender to over-winter outside except, perhaps in the very warmest parts of the country.
- Foliage colour
- Green, White
- Variegated
- Yes
- Scent
- No
- Shape
- Fan
- Height
- 0.35m
- Spread
- 0.5m
- Season of interest
- Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter
- Evergreen
- Evergreen
- Garden style
- Indoors, Conservatory
- Sun or shade
- Tolerates full sun, likes part shade, likes light shade
- Soil type
- Chalk, Loam (normal)
- Soil pH
- Alkaline
- Drainage
- Moisture retentive soil, Damp and wet soil
- Hardiness
- Mild winter to -5C (RHS H3)
- Borders & containers
- Borders and containers
- Indoor light
- A light position not direct sun
- Indoor temperature
- 10C minimum temperature
- Use for
- Deer resistant
- Deer
- May be damaged by deer when very young
- Hazards
- No
Spring
Spring-Summer · Indoors
Feed with high nitrogen feed
Give the plant a feed monthly from May until August using a houseplant fertiliser that is high in nitrogen.
Where food elements are listed as three numeric values on the label representing in order Nitrogen(N)-Phosphorus(P)-Potassium(K), choose one where nitrogen has a high value.
Spring-Autumn · Indoors
Water regularly during growth
Water regularly while in growth.
Adopt a regime that means the plants are thoroughly watered every week so that they do not become dessicated. In hot weather watering may need to be more frequent, but less often in cool or moist conditions.
Spring-Summer · Outdoors
Feed with high nitrogen feed
Give the plant a feed monthly from May until August using a houseplant fertiliser that is high in nitrogen.
Where food elements are listed as three numeric values on the label representing in order Nitrogen(N)-Phosphorus(P)-Potassium(K), choose one where nitrogen has a high value.
Spring-Autumn · Outdoors
Water to keep the soil moist
For best results, this plant needs soil that is always moist. Water deeply and regularly as soon as soil appears dry. Even for established plants in the ground, a dry week can cause problems with some soils. Check plants in pots more often, especially in hot weather. Or install an automatic irrigation system which will do the hard work for you, even when you are away on holiday.
Without regular watering some plants never fully regain their beauty.
Summer
Summer-Autumn · Indoors
Mist the plant in warm weather
Revive plants in warm or hot weather by misting the foliage, preferably using soft or rain water which doesn't mark the foliage. Don't mist when the plant is in full sun. The plant can be misted twice daily if you notice the process revives it.
If leaves are covered in water drops when sun is on them, the droplets can act as little magnifying glasses and cause foliage scorch.
Winter
Winter-Spring · Indoors
Water lightly in winter
The soil should remain just moist during the cold months when the plant is not in growth. Trickle a little water onto the soil surface every couple of weeks if the soil is dry. Do nothing if it is moist.
The roots remain active in winter and benefit from small amounts of moisture so they don't become completely desiccated.
Winter-Spring · Planting
Prune damaged fern fronds
You can remove old fronds in winter if they look tattered. Carefully cut them off using secateurs. Other fronds can be removed as they break, die or fail in spring. Cut them off carefully so as not to damage the young, emergent growth.
Planting & general
Indoors
Water with rain water
This plant needs rain water or soft water (the minerals in alkaline or "hard" water are harmful). This is especially important for plants in pots.
Compost · Planting
Loam based compost for repotting
Repot using any good quality standard compost.
Alternatively prepare a special compost that is best suited to the plant's needs: mix equal amounts of loam (John Innes no. 2 or 3), leaf mould, sand or grit and perlite.
Indoor temperature · Planting
10C minimum temperature
This plant requires a minimum temperature of 10 Centigrade.
Indoor plant · Planting
Position in indirect light indoors
Give the plant a position that is cool and light, and away from direct sunshine.