Pteris cretica aka Ribbon Fern

Pteris cretica, or Cretan brake, belongs to the Pteridaceae family. This evergreen fern has a wide native range. It grows from the Mediterranean through Japan and tropical Asia. Its range also spans Ethiopia to South Africa. Native island sites include Gran Canaria, Madagascar, Réunion, and Socotra. Kew also lists St. Helena, Ascension, and Yemen. It grows in subtropical regions and can live on rocks. It is not native to Britain or Ireland.

The plant forms a tuft with upright, long-stalked fronds. Garden plants reach about 2 feet [0.6 metres] tall. RHS gives a broader height range of 1.6–3.3 feet [0.5–1 metre]. Its listed spread is 0.3–1.6 feet [0.1–0.5 metres]. Plants may take five to ten years to reach full size. Each pinnate frond has three to five pairs of leaflets. These leaflets are long, narrow, and dark green. Fertile fronds have narrower leaflets than the other fronds. The foliage stays green through the year. This fern does not flower, and growers can raise it from spores.

Cretan brake needs partial or full shade and moderate water. Keep its soil moist while allowing excess water to drain. RHS lists chalk, loam, and sand as suitable soils. It favours neutral or alkaline soil in a sheltered spot. Add plenty of leaf mould when growing it outdoors. For containers under glass, RHS recommends limestone chips and high humidity. Its USDA hardiness range is zones 9–12. RHS rates it H1C for British growing conditions. This rating allows summer outdoor use in temperatures of 41–50°F [5–10°C].

Growers use this fern as a houseplant in shaded places. It also suits containers, patios, and sheltered rock gardens. Its upright form makes it useful as a specimen plant. RHS includes it among plants for informal gardens and borders. It can also grow beneath roses and shrubs. Care needs are low under suitable conditions. Remove dead or damaged fronds when needed. Divide its rhizomes in spring, or sow spores when ripe.

RHS reports few pest problems outdoors. Under glass, scale insects and eelworms may attack it. Missouri Botanical Garden also lists aphids and mealybugs as pests. Rust, leaf spots, and sooty mould may affect the plant. The supplied sources do not establish edibility or toxicity.