Ptisana howeana Plant Care
Ptisana howeana (W.R.B.Oliv.) Murdock
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Ptisana howeana is a rare fern endemic to Lord Howe Island, occasionally found in cultivation. The local names are horse shoe fern or king fern.
Every 7–10 days
Bright indirect light
65–80°F
50–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Ptisana howeana?
Water Ptisana howeana every 7–10 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it bright indirect light. It prefers temperatures of 65–80°F (18–27°C) and 50–70% humidity. Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.
What Is the Ptisana howeana?
Ptisana howeana (Ptisana howeana) belongs to the Marattiaceae family within the Ptisana genus. Ptisana howeana is native to cultivation.
Ptisana howeana displays a large, spreading fern growth habit, reaching up to 5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 4 ft. Ptisana howeana produces non-flowering.
Leaf size: approximately 18 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Ptisana howeana?
Ptisana howeana requires watering every 7–10 days. Allow the top layer of soil to dry between waterings to prevent root rot. Reduce watering frequency during winter when growth slows.
Watering Frequency
Every 7–10 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Ptisana howeana Need?
Ptisana howeana thrives in bright indirect light. Avoid placing Ptisana howeana in direct, harsh sunlight for extended periods, as this can scorch the foliage.
Light Requirement
Bright indirect light
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Ptisana howeana Prefer?
Ptisana howeana grows best at temperatures of 65–80°F. Ptisana howeana prefers humidity levels of 50–70%. A pebble tray or humidifier helps maintain adequate moisture around the plant.
Temperature
65–80°F
Humidity
50–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Ptisana howeana?
Rich, well-draining soil with high organic content. Good drainage is essential for Ptisana howeana to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Ptisana howeana?
Feed Ptisana howeana every 6 months during the growing season (spring and summer) with a balanced fertilizer diluted to the strength on the label.
Pause feeding in autumn and winter, when growth slows, and never fertilize dry soil — water first.
Fertilizing
Every 6 months
During the growing season
The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.
How Do You Repot a Ptisana howeana?
Repot every 1-2 years in spring. Choose a pot one size larger than the current container, and ensure it has drainage holes to allow excess water to escape.
How Do You Propagate a Ptisana howeana?
Ptisana howeana can be propagated through spores, division of rhizomes. Similar propagation techniques also apply to maidenhair fern plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Ptisana howeana Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Ptisana howeana, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Keep pets from chewing it as a precaution.
This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.
See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.
What Pests and Diseases Affect the Ptisana howeana?
Ptisana howeana is susceptible to spider mites, scale insects. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.
Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.
What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Ptisana howeana Need?
Ptisana howeana grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13b. It survives winters down to planting zone 13b. Ptisana howeana is native to cultivation. In cooler regions, grow Ptisana howeana as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 13b
Keep exploring plants
Ptisana howeana is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.
It belongs to the Ptisana genus — compare its care with other Ptisana species on PlantoScan.
Ptisana is part of the Marattiaceae plant family — browse all Marattiaceae genera and species.
Ptisana howeana thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
Related Plant Care Guides
Closely related plants with similar care requirements:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Ptisana howeana (W.R.B.Oliv.) Murdock, family Marattiaceae (first published in Taxon 57(3): 749 (2008)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Ptisana howeana, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 13b, calculated from the plant's minimum temperature.
- Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.
Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.
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