Species bracken
green foliage and stems

bracken

Pteridium aquilinum

Bracken (Pteridium aquilinum) is a large, perennial fern that is widely distributed in temperate and tropical regions of the world. It grows in a variety of habitats including woodland, scrub and grassland. Bracken has a large triangular or rhomboid-shaped frond with foliage that can grow up to 1 meter in size. The foliage has curved edges and grows in a layered arrangement. The brownish-green leaves are covered in tiny, round sporangia that contain spores used for reproduction. Bracken has a wide root network and can spread quickly, displacing other plant species, so it is sometimes considered a weed.

Cycle:

Perennial

Watering:

Average

Propagation:

Rhizome Propagation,Spore Propagation,Seed Propagation

Hardiness Zone:

3 - 10

Flowers:

Non-flowering Flowers

Sun:

Full sun

Soil:

Sandy Loamy Humus Rocky

Leaf:

Yes

Leaf Color:

green

Growth Rate:

High

Maintenance:

Moderate

Poisonous To Humans:

Yes

Poisonous To Pets:

Yes

Drought Tolerant:

Yes

Salt Tolerant:

Yes

Thorny:

Yes

Invasive:

Yes

Care Level:

Medium

watering

Bracken (Pteridium aquilinum) should be watered when the soil begins to feel dry to the touch. During the growing season, it is best to water these plants deeply and infrequently, allowing the top inch or 2 of soil to dry out in between waterings. In the summer months, water bracken deeply once a week or every other week. In the winter months, watering can be reduced to a couple of times per month.

sunlight

Bracken (Pteridium aquilinum) plants are sun-loving plants that thrive in full sunlight or light shade. Depending on the location, the amount of sunlight can vary. In areas with full sun exposure, the plants should receive at least 6 hours of sunlight per day. However, during the summer months or in areas with very hot climates, bracken plants may benefit from some light shade during the hottest part of the day, such as midday when the sun is at its peak. They may not survive if exposed to full sunlight for long hours all day. For optimal growth, the ideal amount of sunlight per day is approximately 4 to 6 hours. Contrary to the amount of sunlight, the time of day the sunlight is received can also be important. For most locations, it is best for the plant to be receiving the sunlight during the mid-morning and mid-afternoon, when the sun is slightly more forgiving. This will help the bracken plant to grow properly and minimize any damage due to exposure to intense light.

pruning

Bracken should be pruned in late spring/early summer, when the plant begins to grow vigorously. Pruning duration depends on the amount of growth you're trying to achieve: if you want tall plants, prune minimally; if you want the bushier, more compact effects, prune more heavily. Bracken should be pruned to the desired height, and the oldest, woodiest Fronds (leaves) should be cut back to the base. This helps to keep the plant healthy and encourages new foliage growth. If you are removing multiple fronds, ensure that you are not removing more than 1-third of the plant at once. This helps preserve the health of the plant, while still allowing it to grow.

Season

Fall
Winter
Spring
Summer
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Starts Flowering

Bracken typically starts flowering in July.

Hardiness Map