Pteris umbrosa

Common Name:
Jungle Brake

Description:
Pteris umbrosa, commonly known as Jungle Brake, is a graceful and finely textured Australian native fern ideal for creating soft, green understorey layers in shaded gardens or indoor fern collections. Naturally found in moist rainforest environments, this fern produces elegant, upright to arching fronds with deeply lobed, bright green leaflets. Its refined appearance makes it particularly suited to temperate ferneries, shaded borders, or container displays in Melbourne’s climate. Jungle Brake thrives in part to full shade and prefers humus-rich, well-drained soils kept consistently moist. While tolerant of occasional dry spells once established, it performs best with regular watering and protection from wind, direct sun, and frost. It does not flower, but its lush, verdant fronds provide year-round interest. Excellent for softening hardscapes, filling shaded corners, or combining with bolder foliage plants, Pteris umbrosa is a reliable and decorative addition to cool, shaded landscapes.

Form:
*Shrub - Clumping / Grass-like / Mounding
*Ground Cover
*Indoor Foliage Plant (with high humidity)

Mature Size:
*Height: 45–70 cm
*Width: 45–70 cm

Aspect:
*Part Shade
*Full Shade

Flowering:
*Does not flower

Flower Colour:
*Not applicable

Key Attributes:
*Australian Native
*Suitable for Pots
*Perennial
*Herbaceous
*Low Maintenance
*Excellent for Ferneries and Shaded Borders
*Good for Underplanting
*Not frost tolerant

Toxicity:
*Non-toxic to pets and humans

Companion Plants:
*Asplenium australasicum (Bird’s Nest Fern)
*Blechnum ‘Silver Lady’
*Todea barbara (King Fern)
*Viola hederacea (Native Violet)
*Doodia aspera