This fern has a short creeping rhizome that branches forming a neat low bushy habit. The erect divided fronds have long narrow dark green segments and the fertile fornds appear during midsummer.

Hardiness zones 10 to 12

Pteris cretica is naturally found from Europe to Africa and Asia growing on well drained fertile moist humus rich sandy soils. It prefers a shaded to a semi-shaded protected position and is frost and drought tender.

The Cretan Brake Fern is used as a container plant or for understorey planting or used in tropical and rock gardens. In cool climates it is grown under glass as a specimen or in hanging baskets and in warmer climates it is grown as an indoor plant. It will establish in 1 to 2 years from division and is suitable for shaded gardens or moist gully settings. ID 1163

Pteris(TE-ris) cretica(kray-tee-ka)

Pteris`: from Greek pteron- a wing (refers to the fronds); 'cretica`: of Crete.

Pteridaceae (TE-ri-de-AY-see-ee)
(Adiantaceae)