Ribbon fern
Also called Cretan brake, Silver table fern, Table fern.
| Light | medium light |
|---|---|
| Water | Every 5 days in the growing season, every 10 in winter |
| Humidity | high |
| Difficulty | easy |
| Height | Up to 35 cm (14 in) tall |
| Pets | Cats safe, dogs safe |
Source: ASPCA Animal Poison Control, toxic and non-toxic plants, Silver Table Fern entry.
One of the easiest ferns to keep alive indoors, which is not a crowded field. The fronds are narrow ribbons rather than the usual lace, often with a silver stripe down the centre, and the plant stays small enough for a shelf or a bathroom windowsill. It takes lower light than most ferns and forgives more, provided the one thing it cannot forgive does not happen: the compost drying out completely. Keep it lightly moist, raise the humidity if the room is heated, and keep it out of direct sun. When it fills its pot, tip it out in spring and pull the clump into two or three pieces, each with roots and fronds, and pot them separately.
Ailments observed
| Brown crisp edges on the leaves | Dry air or compost that dried right out. Water more evenly and raise the humidity. A fern that has gone crisp can be cut to the base and will usually resprout if the roots are alive. |
|---|---|
| Yellow leaves at the bottom of the plant | Too much light, or hard water building up in the compost. Move it out of the sun and flush the pot through with rainwater every couple of months. |
Filed underPlants that will not poison the cat, Plants for a bathroom, Plants that forgive a beginner, Plants for humid air, Plants for a balcony or a small space
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