How to prune sword brake fern

Any time as dead fronds appear; spring for general tidying. Snip dead or fully yellowed fronds at the base of the stipe using fine, clean scissors. For congested plants, selectively remove the oldest outer fronds at soil level to open up the crown.

As needed; light tidying a few times per year. Sword Brake Fern (Pteris ensiformis) needs light maintenance rather than pruning. Remove dead, yellowing, or tatty fronds at their base whenever they appear. If the plant becomes congested, trim away older outer fronds to improve air circulation and prompt fresh growth. It is a compact fern that generally maintains its own shape without intervention.

Snip dead or fully yellowed fronds at the base of the stipe using fine, clean scissors. For congested plants, selectively remove the oldest outer fronds at soil level to open up the crown.