Pteris Ensiformis

Quick facts

Identity

Also known as

Silver Lace Fern; Snow Brake Fern; Slender Brake Fern; Sword Brake Fern

Synonyms

Pteris ensiformis 'Evergemiensis'

Environment

Terrestrial

Native to

Southeast Asia, Asia-Pacific

Habitat

Shaded, humid tropical rainforest understory beneath tree canopy, growing terrestrially in damp, loose, well-drained soil

Sourcing

Captive-bred

Conservation

Not Evaluated

Care

Care level

Moderate

Growth form

Rhizome

Max height

4 – 18 in (10 – 46 cm)

Spread

16 in (41 cm)

Growth rate

Moderate

Placement

Background

Water

Temperature

60 – 78 °F (16 – 26 °C)

Humidity

60 – 80%

Planting

Substrate

Nutrient-rich preferred

Feeds from

Roots

Fertilizer needs

Low

Colors

Green, Cream

Feeding & breeding

Propagation

Rhizome division

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Care guide

Overview

Southeast Asian rainforest floors give rise to this fern, found beneath dense canopy in loose, damp soil. Fronds emerge with silvery-white variegation edged in green, arranged in a branched, feather-like form reaching up to 18 inches. Best suited to a humid background planting where it grows terrestrially and never submerged.

Care

Silver lace fern does best in a shaded to partially lit terrarium or paludarium with steady warmth between 65 and 78°F. It needs consistently moist but well-drained substrate and appreciates high ambient humidity, wilting quickly if the air or soil dries out. Direct sun scorches the fronds, so bright indirect or filtered light is preferable over full exposure.

Planting & trimming

Remove any packing material from the roots and plant the rhizome shallowly in a loose, acidic, humus-rich mix such as peat and soil, keeping the crown above the substrate surface. Position it in the background of a terrarium or paludarium where it has room to spread, never in standing water or submerged. Trim off spent or damaged fronds at the base to keep the clump tidy and encourage fresh growth.

Fertilizing

As a light feeder, this fern only needs a diluted liquid fertilizer applied monthly or every few weeks during the growing season. Overfeeding tends to cause browning at the frond tips, so a quarter to half strength dose is usually enough. Yellowing fronds are more often a sign of overwatering than a nutrient deficiency.

Propagation

The easiest method is dividing an established clump at the rhizome during repotting, separating it into sections that each retain roots and fronds. It can also propagate from spores released on the underside of mature fronds, though this method is much slower and less practical for hobbyists. New plantlets sometimes emerge naturally from rhizome offshoots that spread away from the parent clump.

Problems

Fronds that crisp or wilt usually indicate insufficient humidity or a substrate that has dried out, while yellowing leaves point to waterlogged soil or root rot. Variegation fades in low light, so a lack of silvery banding on new growth suggests the plant needs brighter, indirect illumination. Complete submersion or prolonged wet feet will cause the crown to melt and eventually kill the plant.

Sources

1. Pteris Ensiformis "Silver Lace Fern" Care Guide | Vivarium Plants
2. Pteris Ensiformis - Buce Plant
3. Pteris SilverLace
4. Silver Lace Fern - Care, Light & Watering Guide | Plantvale

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