Pteris tremula

A fast-growing fern from Australia with finely-cut fronds - would look good in a container in a shady conservatory, and can be placed outdoors for the summer months, and may survive a winter in warm gardens where frosts are rare. Sporelings (baby ferns) may appear. Mature height 1.2 metres (4 feet).

This fern is usually deciduous at low temperatures. Remove old fronds as they die back to keep the plant looking tidy. For container grown plants feed with a balanced liquid fertiliser such as liquid growmore or seaweed extract once a month between May and early September.

Grow in free-draining peat or peat-free compost. Never put straight into a large pot. Pot up gradually to the next size (maximum 2 inches wider in diameter) Wait for the plant to make a full root-ball before potting on again. This may take months so don’t rush it. Always plant into a pot with drainage holes so you can allow any excess water to drain away if you do accidentally over water it. If desired this can then be stood in a more decorative outer pot with some pebbles in the bottom. Do not allow the compost to become either excessively wet or dry.