Pteris ensiformis 'Victoriae'

RHS Plant Profile
slender brake 'Victoriae'

Save a plant

Where do you want to save Pteris ensiformis 'Victoriae'?

Plants I own
Wishlist
Go to My Plants
Ferns

A frost-tender, semi-evergreen fern up to 50cm tall. Upright to arching, triangular, variegated fronds have narrow leaflets with silvery-white centres and dark green margins

Position

Full shade, Partial shade

Soil Types

Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.1-0.5 metres

Max Spread

0.5-1 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
5–10 years
Max Spread
0.5-1 metres
Max Height
0.1-0.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Loam Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full shade Partial shade
Aspect
South–facing or East–facing
Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

  • H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
  • H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
  • H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
  • H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
  • H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
  • H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
  • H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
  • H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
  • H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)
H1C

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Pteridaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Semi evergreen
Habit
Clump forming
Genus
Pteris can be evergreen, semi-evergreen or deciduous ferns, with short or long rhizomes and fronds that may be pinnate to 4-pinnate
Name Status
Unresolved

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow outdoors in any chalk-free, moist but well-drained soil with plenty of added leaf-mould. If growing indoors, water freely and feed once a month when in active growth. See how to grow tender ferns outdoors or how to grow ferns as houseplants for further advice

Propagation

Propagate by sowing spores as soon as ripe or division of rhizomes in spring

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Hanging Basket
  • Houseplants
  • Patio and container plants
  • Low Maintenance
  • Conservatory and greenhouse

Pruning

Dead or damaged fronds may be removed as necessary

Pests

Generally pest-free outdoors but under glass may be susceptible to scale insects and eelworms

Diseases

May be susceptible to Sooty mould