🌿 Pteris cretica var. albolineata Care Sheet🌿
Common Name: Variegated Cretan Brake Fern, Variegated table Fern
Family: Pteridaceae
Origin: Tropical and subtropical regions (variegated cultivar)
 
🔆 LIGHT
Indoors:
Bright, indirect light is ideal. East- or north-facing windows are suitable.
Tolerates lower light but will grow more slowly and may lose variegation intensity.
Avoid direct sun, especially afternoon rays, which can scorch the fronds.
Terrarium:
Grows well under LED or fluorescent grow lights. 10–12 hours per day is sufficient.
Avoid strong spotlight-style lighting; diffuse is best.
 
🌡️ TEMPERATURE & HUMIDITY
Ideal Temperature Range: 18–27°C (65–80°F)
Minimum: 10°C (50°F); protect from cold drafts
Humidity:
Indoors: Prefers 50–80% RH. Use a pebble tray or humidifier in dry homes.
Terrarium: Thrives in high humidity (70–90%). Excellent candidate for humid setups.
 
💧 WATERING
General Rule: Keep soil consistently moist but not soggy.
Indoors:
Water when the top 2–3 cm of soil feels dry.
Avoid letting the plant sit in standing water to prevent root rot.
Terrarium:
Requires less frequent watering due to slower evaporation.
Water sparingly—overwatering is a common mistake. Watch for condensation as a sign of high humidity.
 
🌱 SOIL & SUBSTRATE
Indoors:
Use a well-draining peat-based mix: 2 parts peat or coco coir, 1 part perlite or pumice, and optional orchid bark for extra texture.
A fern potting mix also works well.
Terrarium:
Plant directly in a terrarium substrate or pot inside the enclosure.
Mix: fine-grade sphagnum moss, leaf litter, coco peat, and perlite. Avoid overly dense substrates.
 
🍽️ FERTILIZER
Indoors:
Feed monthly during spring/summer with a half-strength balanced liquid fertilizer.
Pause or reduce in winter.
Terrarium:
Fertilize sparingly to avoid algae/mold issues. A weak diluted dose every 6–8 weeks during active growth is sufficient.
 
✂️ MAINTENANCE
Remove dead or yellowing fronds to promote air circulation and tidy growth.
If the plant becomes leggy or sparse, improve light or divide and repot.
 
📏 SIZE & GROWTH HABIT
Moderate grower, forming attractive clumps.
Mature height: 30–45 cm (12–18 in)
Spread: Up to 45 cm (18 in) wide
In a terrarium: stays more compact, especially with limited root space
 
🌱 PROPAGATION
Division in spring or early summer
Gently separate clumps with roots and replant
 
⚠️ POTENTIAL ISSUES
Crispy tips: Usually low humidity or underwatering
Yellowing fronds: Overwatering or poor drainage
Pest risks: Rare, but may attract fungus gnats if soil stays soggy indoors
 
✅ TERRARIUM SUITABILITY
✔ High humidity lover
✔ Handles low light well
✔ Attractive variegation adds visual interest
✔ Moderate size makes it suitable for medium to large terrariums
❌ Not ideal for very small, closed nano terrariums due to eventual size