Bahama Brake
Pteris bahamensis
Last reviewed: September 2026
Bahama Brake (Pteris bahamensis) is not on the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center toxic plant list for dogs or cats (aspca.org (opens in new tab), last reviewed 2026-05-21). If your pet shows symptoms after eating any plant, call the ASPCA at (888) 426-4435.
Light
part shade
Water
medium
Size
12"–36" H × 12"–24" W
Bloom
N/A
Native to
FL
Before you buy
Your city may pay you to plant this
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Bahama brake is a compact native fern with delicate, feathery fronds that creates an elegant groundcover in shaded areas. This evergreen fern maintains its attractive appearance year-round and works well as an understory plant or border accent.
In an HOA neighborhood
Bahama Brake is an HOA-friendly choice. Maintenance level: low. Tidiness: 4 out of 5.
Works well in: front yard, foundation, mid zone.
Wildlife value
As a fern, it does not support pollinators directly but provides shelter and habitat structure for small wildlife and beneficial insects.
Common questions
- How much sun does Bahama Brake need?
- Bahama Brake grows best in part shade conditions.
- Where is Bahama Brake native?
- Bahama Brake (Pteris bahamensis) is native to FL, per vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists.
- Is Bahama Brake toxic to dogs?
- Bahama Brake is not on the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center toxic plant list for dogs (aspca.org).
- Is Bahama Brake toxic to cats?
- Bahama Brake is not on the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center toxic plant list for cats (aspca.org).
- Is Bahama Brake HOA-friendly?
- Bahama Brake is generally an HOA-friendly choice in the right placement, with low maintenance.
Native range data from vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists. Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.
If something looks wrong
Common plant problems, and what to check first
These come up on almost any plant. Each guide lists the likely causes in the order they are worth ruling out, with one thing to check before you act on any of them, and links to the source it came from.
- It is dying right after planting
- Leaves turning yellow
- Wilting even though I watered it
- Brown crispy leaf tips
- Bugs on the plant
Ready to grow Bahama Brake? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.
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