Pteris tremula
shaking brake
Australia, New Zealand, and the south-western Pacific
Overview
Pteris tremula is an evergreen fern forming a clump of arching fronds 24-60 inches (60-150 cm) tall and 18-36 inches (45-90 cm) wide from a short, erect rhizome. The fronds are broadly triangular and two- to three-times divided, with light green, finely cut segments on slender, glossy, straw-colored stalks. Fertile and sterile fronds look similar, but the fertile segments are narrower and bear spore-producing sori in continuous lines along their rolled-under margins. The texture is soft and the whole frond trembles in light air movement. New growth appears through much of the year in mild conditions, with the main flush in spring. The rhizome is short-creeping, so the plant forms an expanding clump rather than a running colony. It grows naturally in moist, shaded gullies, forest margins, and disturbed damp ground in Australia, New Zealand, and the Pacific. It establishes quickly and can self-sow from spores, becoming weedy in greenhouses and frost-free gardens. Frost below 28 F (-2 C) burns the fronds, though established plants reshoot from the rhizome in spring.
Native Range
Native to eastern and southern Australia, New Zealand, and islands of the south-western Pacific. It grows in moist, shaded gullies, rainforest margins, and damp disturbed ground.Suggested Uses
Grown as a foliage fern in shaded borders, fern gardens, courtyards, and as a container or greenhouse plant. It suits damp, sheltered spots beneath trees or on the shaded side of buildings. The soft fronds are cut for fresh and dried foliage in arrangements.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height2' - 5'
Width/Spread1'6" - 3'
Reaches mature size in approximately 2 years
Bloom Information
As a fern, Pteris tremula produces no flowers and reproduces by spores. Spores ripen in the linear sori along the frond margins through much of the warm season. Wind and water carry the released spores, which germinate on damp soil.
Detailed Descriptions
Foliage Description
Light greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Tolerates up to 4 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Grow Pteris tremula in part to full shade in moist, humus-rich soil with a pH of 5.5-7.0. It needs consistent moisture and shelter from drying wind, and the fronds scorch in direct midday sun. The soil should stay damp but not waterlogged, with humidity maintained in indoor settings. It withstands brief cold to about 28 F (-2 C); below that the fronds die back and regrow from the rhizome in spring. A balanced liquid feed every four to six weeks in the growing season supports rapid frond production. Self-sown spores can produce many seedlings that spread into nearby pots and beds.Pruning
Cut old or damaged fronds back to the base at any time to keep the clump fresh. Remove frost-burned fronds in spring as new growth unfurls. Thinning self-sown seedlings limits unwanted spread.Pruning Schedule
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
early spring
Container Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 5 gallons