Beginner
skill rating
Online Garden Tools
Useful videos
Pteridium aquilinum (Bracken)
3 hours care
per year
per year
1.2m
Max height
Max height
2m
Max spread
Max spread
5-10 years
To maturity
To maturity
Low
Toxicity
Toxicity
Plant details
Botanical name
Pteridium aquilinum
Other names
Bracken, Adder's spit, Brake fern, Eagle brake, Eagle fern, Fern of God, Hog brake, Pasture brake, Western brackenfern, Decomposition brackenfern, Hairy brackenfern
Genus
Pteridium Pteridium
Species
P. aquilinum - P. aquilinum is a vigorous, coarse, rhizomatous, deciduous fern with arching to nearly horizontal, triangular, bi- or tri-pinnate, mid-green fronds.
Pteridium aquilinum is: Deciduous
Habit
Clump-forming, Arching
Toxicity
Historically, young fiddleheads have been considered edible but studies indicate that the leaves are carcinogenic and deplete the body of vitamin B1. Large concentrations of spores may cause stomach cancer.
Flower
Insignificant or absent in All seasons
Foliage
Mid-green in Spring; Mid-green in Summer; Mid-green in Autumn
How to care
Watch out for
General care
Pruning
Dead or damaged fronds may be removed as necessary
Propagation methods
Division, Spores
Sign up for your FREE ACCOUNT today or login to receive detailed monthly care instructions
Where to grow
Pteridium aquilinum (Bracken) will reach a height of 1.2m and a spread of 2m after 5-10 years.
Suggested uses
Woodland, Underplanting, Banks and Slopes
Cultivation
Grows best in poor to moderately fertile, moist or moist but well-drained, sandy, acid soil in sun or partial shade. Extremely vigorous and hardy so site carefully as will become invasive. Tends to be difficult to control due to deep, creeping rhizomes.
Soil type
Clay, Loamy, Sandy
Soil drainage
Moist but well-drained, Well-drained
Soil pH
Acid, Neutral
Light
Partial Shade, Full Sun
Aspect
North, South, East, West
Exposure
Exposed, Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Hardy (H4)
Companion plants
Botanical name
Pteridium aquilinum
Other names
Bracken, Adder's spit, Brake fern, Eagle brake, Eagle fern, Fern of God, Hog brake, Pasture brake, Western brackenfern, Decomposition brackenfern, Hairy brackenfern
Genus
Pteridium Pteridium
Species
P. aquilinum - P. aquilinum is a vigorous, coarse, rhizomatous, deciduous fern with arching to nearly horizontal, triangular, bi- or tri-pinnate, mid-green fronds.
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Clump-forming, Arching
Toxicity
Historically, young fiddleheads have been considered edible but studies indicate that the leaves are carcinogenic and deplete the body of vitamin B1. Large concentrations of spores may cause stomach cancer.
Create your free Shoot garden
Create your free SHOOT garden and make a record of the plants in your garden.
Add your own photos, notes, get monthly email reminders on how to care for your plants, and connect with other gardeners. Get started now.
Colour
Flower
Insignificant or absent in All seasons
Foliage
Mid-green in Spring; Mid-green in Summer; Mid-green in Autumn
General care
Pruning
Dead or damaged fronds may be removed as necessary
Propagation methods
Division, Spores
Monthly care advice
Get access to monthly care advice
Create a free SHOOT account and get instant access to expert care advice for this and other plants in your garden.
You'll also receive handy monthly email reminders of what needs doing. Create your free account.
Where to grow
Pteridium aquilinum (Bracken) will reach a height of 1.2m and a spread of 2m after 5-10 years.
Suggested uses
Woodland, Underplanting, Banks and Slopes
Cultivation
Grows best in poor to moderately fertile, moist or moist but well-drained, sandy, acid soil in sun or partial shade. Extremely vigorous and hardy so site carefully as will become invasive. Tends to be difficult to control due to deep, creeping rhizomes.
Soil type
Clay, Loamy, Sandy
Soil drainage
Moist but well-drained, Well-drained
Soil pH
Acid, Neutral
Light
Partial Shade, Full Sun
Aspect
North, South, East, West
Exposure
Exposed, Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Hardy (H4)
USDA zones
Zone 10, Zone 9, Zone 8, Zone 7, Zone 6, Zone 5, Zone 4, Zone 3
In order to add a note on this plant, please add this plant to your plant lists.
| This plant likes... | Garden match | |
| Soil types: | Clay, Loamy, Sandy | Tell us... |
| Soil drainage: | Moist but well-drained, Well-drained | Tell us... |
| Soil pH: | Acid, Neutral | Tell us... |
| Light: | Partial Shade, Full Sun | Tell us... |
| Aspect: | North, South, East, West | Tell us... |
| Exposure: | Exposed, Sheltered | Tell us... |
| Hardiness: | Hardy (H4) | Tell us... |
COMPANION PLANTS
GARDENS WITH THIS PLANT
Report content or feedback to Shoot
To add ? to your lists,
login to your account or subscribe.
Find out more about plant lists here
or Login
To add notes for this plant login to your account or register for a new account.
Sign up for freeor Login
To add images for this plant login to your account or register for a new account.
Sign up for freeor Login
To check if this plant is suitable for your garden first login to your account or subscribe.
or Login