Genus · Pteridaceae
Pteris
2 species tracked in Horta’s catalog, and the named cultivars growers keep. Walk down to a species for its full care record, or into a cultivar for its traits and provenance.
Species in this genus
The ones growers meet most — each links to its own page.
Pteris vittata
Ladder Brake
Pteris vittata is a rhizomatous fern with an exceptionally broad range, found growing on rock faces, walls, and disturbed soil across warm temperate to tropical zones. Unlike many ferns it tolerates brighter, drier sites, but it still wants its rhizome kept evenly moist rather than soggy in fast-draining mix. Water when the top inch of the mix has dried, and keep it out of harsh direct sun.
Pteris ensiformis
Slender Brake
Pteris ensiformis is a small rhizomatous fern native to the warm, humid understory across tropical and subtropical Asia and the Pacific. It wants even moisture without sitting wet, so water when the top half-inch of mix is just dry, and give it bright indirect light away from direct sun. As a forest-floor fern it favors steady warmth and elevated humidity.
About the genus
A genus-level overview — shared traits, history, the botany that ties these plants together — is on its way. For now, the species and cultivars above and below carry the genus.
Kept true by its growers
Pteris keeps evolving — species move, cultivars appear, IDs get corrected. If you can place an unplaced plant or add a species we’re missing, the whole genus gets truer.
Overview derived from 2 tracked species · the contribute flow arrives with the next slice.