{"product_id":"tricolour-painted-brake-fern-pteris-aspericaulis-tricolour","title":"Tricolour Painted Brake Fern - Pteris aspericaulis 'Tricolour'","description":"\u003cp\u003eTricolour Painted Brake Fern (\u003cem\u003ePteris aspericaulis\u003c\/em\u003e 'Tricolour') is a glossy, deeply lobed fern whose new fronds emerge a rich copper, so metallic that they look painted. It grows to about 0.8m high and 0.6m wide, and the colour mellows to green as the fronds age. It is an easy houseplant and a standout in a warm, shady nook.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhy you'll love it\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCopper new growth.\u003c\/strong\u003e Young fronds are strongly tinted copper and look almost metallic, a colour you rarely see in a fern.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGlossy, deeply lobed fronds.\u003c\/strong\u003e The cut shape and the shine give the plant presence even after the colour has faded to green.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eA two-tone display.\u003c\/strong\u003e New copper growth over older green fronds means the plant shows more than one colour at the same time.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAn easy houseplant.\u003c\/strong\u003e It copes well with indoor conditions, provided it stays warm, humid and out of direct sun.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCompact for its impact.\u003c\/strong\u003e At up to 0.8m by 0.6m it fits a pot, a shaded niche or a rockery pocket.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhere it works best\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eShady garden nooks.\u003c\/strong\u003e Tuck it into a wall crevice or rockery pocket in shade, where drainage is sharp and the fronds catch humid air. Plant 50cm apart if you are making a group.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePots and indoor spaces.\u003c\/strong\u003e Grow it in a bright room out of direct sun, or on a warm, shaded verandah. Keep the mix moist and the crown above the surface.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eUnderplanting.\u003c\/strong\u003e Beneath trees and taller shrubs in a warm garden, it adds colour to a shaded floor.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTerrariums.\u003c\/strong\u003e Young plants suit terrariums and indoor gardens, where the copper new growth is easy to enjoy up close.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eGrowing Tricolour Painted Brake Fern in Australia\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePosition and climate.\u003c\/strong\u003e Shade to dappled light, in a warm, humid spot. Protect it from frost and keep it warm, which makes it a plant for tropical and subtropical gardens. In cooler districts grow it in a pot and keep it indoors or under cover through winter.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSoil.\u003c\/strong\u003e Plant carefully so the crown sits above the soil line, in a well drained mix, and avoid wet feet. In a wall or rockery it does best where the roots stay on the dry side and the fronds can take up humidity.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater and feed.\u003c\/strong\u003e Mulch and water regularly until established, usually around 12 weeks, then keep the plant moist through dry periods. Feed with a slow release fertiliser in spring and a liquid fertiliser every 4 weeks in the warmer months, at half the recommended strength to avoid burn.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePruning.\u003c\/strong\u003e Remove old fronds to keep the plant fresh and to limit disease. Re-pot only if a container plant has outgrown its pot.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhat to expect when it arrives\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe sell Tricolour Painted Brake Fern as tube stock, a young plant in an 80mm deep tube that establishes quickly. Expect a small plant with a handful of fronds, and expect its colour to vary with the age of the foliage, the light and the individual plant. Unpack promptly, water it in and keep it in warm, humid shade while it settles.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlants are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Every plant is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003ePlant care guides and related reading\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/ferns-for-shady-areas\"\u003eFerns for shady areas\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/low-light-indoor-plants\"\u003eLow light indoor plants for bright and dim rooms\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/blogs\/blog\/shade-gardening-with-brisbane-plant-nursery-guide\"\u003eShade gardening in Australia: what to plant where\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/palms-ferns-tropical\"\u003ePalms, ferns and tropical plants\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eCommon questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhy are the new leaves copper?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCopper is the natural colour of young Tricolour fronds. As they age they mature to green, and a healthy plant keeps producing fresh copper growth.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eCan I grow it outdoors?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes, in warm, humid, frost free gardens, in shade. In cooler districts it is better as a pot plant that you can bring indoors, because it needs protection from frost.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eHow much light does it need?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBright, indirect light indoors, or dappled shade outdoors. Strong direct sun can bleach and scorch the fronds.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nursery Near Me","offers":[{"title":"Tube","offer_id":67789629161791,"sku":"PTE-ASP-TRICOL-tube","price":19.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0691\/2917\/5359\/files\/tricolour-painted-brake-fern-pteris-aspericaulis-tricolour.jpg?v=1792191931","url":"https:\/\/nurserynearme.com.au\/products\/tricolour-painted-brake-fern-pteris-aspericaulis-tricolour","provider":"Nursery Near Me","version":"1.0","type":"link"}