Pteris albolineata in a pot

Credit: Ping an Chang

Green and silver frond of Pteris albolineata

Credit: Ping an Chang

Fronds of Pteris albolineata

Credit: Ping an Chang

Sporangia on a Pteris albolineata

Credit: Ping an Chang

Pteris albolineata, a fern with silvery foliage

With its silvery-green background, Pteris albolineata is easier to recognize than to name! This fern native to South Korea, Taiwan and Japan is often described as a cultivar or hybrid of Pteris of Crete. But for specialists, it's a distinct species known by its Latin name of Pteris parkeri.

How to recognize Pteris albolineata?

Pteris albolineata is an evergreen fern. With its compact habit, it measures 40 centimetres in height and 50 centimetres in spread.

Pteris albolineata has a short, creeping rhizome from which pinnate fronds emerge. They grow on a long, slender petiole. Each frond is divided into several slender segments (up to 10) with pointed apices. Dark green, the pinnules are crossed by a broad, light-green, almost silvery band.

The fern has sterile fronds all year round. Fertile fronds appear in spring. Upright and narrower than the sterile leaves (their segments are only 15 mm wide), they carry spores on their underside. They are grouped in brown sporangia along the margins.

Pteris parkeri is non-toxic. It is harmless to us and our pets.

Our maintenance tips

Pteris albolineata like subdued light and humidity. If you install them in a bathroom with a window, these plants are very easy to grow. Elsewhere, you'll need to make some effort to provide them with sufficient humidity.

Watering

The substrate must always be kept moist. Water with non-calcareous water at room temperature. You can use rainwater or demineralized water.

Your Pteris albolineata appreciates abundant watering. The amount of water should correspond to the size of the pot.

After watering, drain off any stagnant water in the saucer. It will rot the roots.

Spray

Your Pteris parkeri appreciates moisture on its foliage. Spray it regularly with non-calcareous water to improve humidity.

Repotting

In spring, transfer your Pteris parkeri to a larger pot, so that it can continue to grow.

Get a perforated pot. You can add gravel or clay balls to the bottom to improve drainage.

Pteris albolineata need rich soil. Mix equal parts heather and perlite. You can also combine 50% potting soil for green plants and 50% leaf compost. Pour on a layer of substrate.

Plant your Pteris albolineata in the center and fill in with soil. Be careful not to bury it too deeply! The rhizomes should be flush with the surface. Water generously to facilitate rooting.

You can place your pot on a dish filled with moist clay balls. The evaporation of water helps to increase humidity.

Fertilization

You can stimulate the development of your plant during its growth phase, in spring and summer, with fertilizer.

Fertilize with a green plant fertilizer to stimulate growth. Your Pteris albolineata is not very greedy. Divide the dose prescribed by the manufacturer by two to avoid damaging its foliage and roots.

Prune

To encourage the growth of your Pteris albolineata, prune regularly.

Remove dry or brown fronds to prevent them from rotting and bringing disease. Cut them off at the base with clean, sharp pruning shears or scissors.

Plantation

Once the last spring frosts have passed, you can plant.

Choose a bright location, but away from direct sunlight. In the hottest hours, the strongest rays can burn the foliage of your Pteris albolineata.

Soak the root ball of your plant to rehydrate it and promote recovery.

all pteris albolineata plants have shallow roots, but their rhizomes tend to spread out. To help your plant flourish, dig a hole wider than it is deep. Place a layer of compost or leaf compost at the bottom.

Plant your specimen in the center. Fill the hole with a mixture of garden soil and heather. Don't bury your Pteris albolineata too deeply! The rhizomes should be flush with the surface. You can use the remaining garden soil to form a watering trough.

Water generously to facilitate rooting.

Cutting

Cutting is carried out during the strong growth phase, generally in spring and early summer.

Take pteris albolineata out of its pot. Using a clean, sharp knife, remove a rhizome with roots and fronds.

Prepare a ten-centimeter diameter pierced pot. Fill it with an equal mixture of potting soil for green plants and leaf compost.

Plant your cutting in the center. Don't bury it too deeply. Its rhizomes should be barely covered by soil.

Water generously to encourage rooting and remove air bubbles.

Disease / Threat

Mealybugs

Information

Family	Pteridaceae - Pteridaceae
Type	Pteris - Pteris
Species	Pteris albolineata - Pteris parkeri
Lifecycle	Perennial
Foliage	Semi-evergreen
Exposures	Sun Half-shade Shade
Substrats	Humus soil Sandy soil
Planting methods	Open ground In pots Planter
Categories	Rhizome Herbaceous
Tag	Soiffarde
Origin	Southeast Asia
Hardiness (USDA)	9a
Leaf color