Pteris Cretica
3.8 out of 5 (6 experiences)
Also known as
Cretan Brake, Cretan Brake, Ribbon fern and Cretan brake fern
Taxonomy
Pteris cretica
Pteris
Pteridaceae
Polypodiales
How to care for Pteris Cretica
How often to water your Pteris Cretica
Pteris Cretica needs 0.5 cups of water every 9 when it doesnāt get direct sunlight and is potted in a 5" pot.
Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.
Water 0.5 cups every
9
Finding light for Cretan Brake in your home
Pteris Cretica may have difficulty thriving, and will drop leaves š, without ample sunlight.
Place it less than 3 feet from a south-facing window to maximize the potential for growth.
Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement of Pteris Cretica in your home š”.
How to fertilize Pteris Cretica
Most potting soils come with ample nutrients which plants use to produce new growth.
By the time your plant has depleted the nutrients in its soil itās likely grown enough to need a larger pot anyway.
To replenish this plant's nutrients, repot your Pteris Cretica after it doubles in size or once a yearāwhichever comes first.
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Greg has no clue regarding this oneās identity.. anyone can help? Got it at #thelaundryplantstore
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My plant turned very pale this winter and has a few dark dried area on leaves. I cut out the dead and Iāve misted more often. Thoughts? #CretanBrake
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Anyone with experience growing ferns by wavy glass block windows? I have a window ledge in my shower begging for plants and I thought ferns would love the humidity. Thoughts? #CretanBrake
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Crusty leaves #CretanBrake she has crusty leaves I fergot to water her and she wasn't happy but I've missed her it seemed to help but I'm not sure if I'm doing it right it's been 2 weeks š
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Can this plant handle direct sunlight? Currently getting a little grow light action but I want to move her to an east window. 2-4 hours of direct sunlight.. what do you think? #CretanBrake
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My Cretan Brake turned white. Not a speck of green anywhere. Some black on leaves. Anyone know why? #CretanBrake
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Whatās up with Cretan? I thought it was scale, but Iāve been using neem oil for two months now and it seems like itās getting worse. Iāve been watering it extra recently because the leaves are still quite crispy, but perhaps thatās why? Thoughts? #helpneeded #CretanBrake #FernFriends
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I got this guy a few months ago and the leaves have been crusty ever since and it has stems that wonāt grow leaves .. the leaves keep growing and then getting crusty and fall off. Would love suggestions #CretanBrake
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The leaves keep growing and then shriveling up and falling off. I tried near window far from window with indirect light.. havenāt figured out how to make this flourish yet. Any suggestions? #CretanBrake
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What's up with my fern? I think these brown patches might be from accidentally watering with the wrong watering can which had diluted seasol in it. Can anyone confirm? There are no pests to be seen and I have not moved from the position its always been happy in. It's not in direct sun but gets plenty of light, no breeze or air conditioned air. Should I leave it be or trim the worst ones off?
Care Summary for Pteris Cretica
Pteris Cretica
Greg recommends:
0.5 cups every 9 days
< 3ft from a window
Repot after 2x growth
Based on the 4ā pot your plant is in, and that it doesnāt get direct sunlight.
What other plant parents say
I struggle with ferns in general, but after killing two of these, Iām gonna say the Cretan brake is the least hardy of all the ferns Iāve had. I do live in a dry climate, but Iāve managed to keep other ferns at least alive with attentive care - not this guy! He is a bone-dry shriveled mess even with constant moist-not-wet soil, lots of misting, and living in the most fern-friendly room in my home.