Pteris longipes, commonly known as Brake Fern, is an evergreen fern native to the understory of tropical and subtropical forests in Southeast Asia, Japan, Taiwan, and Oceania. It typically grows to a height of 1-5 feet (0.3-1.5 meters) and a width of 2-3 feet (0.6-0.9 meters). The fern has long, arching fronds that are divided into numerous narrow segments, giving it a delicate and feathery appearance. The fronds are a bright green color, which can add a lush, verdant quality to shaded garden areas.

Brake Fern is valued for its ease of maintenance and its ability to thrive in low-light conditions, making it an excellent choice for indoor plantings or shaded outdoor gardens. It is often used as an ornamental plant in containers, hanging baskets, or as ground cover under trees. In cultivation, Brake Fern prefers consistently moist, well-draining soil and part shade, though it can tolerate a range of light conditions from dappled sunlight to full shade. It is not drought-tolerant and requires regular watering to keep the soil evenly moist. While generally pest-free, it can occasionally suffer from common fern pests such as scale insects or mealybugs.CC BY-SA 4.0