How to prune tailed brake fern

Year-round as individual fronds die. Cut dead or heavily tattered fronds cleanly at their base with sterile scissors or snips. Do not cut back living fronds or attempt to shape the plant — ferns do not respond to shaping the way shrubs do.

As needed. Tailed Brake Fern (Pteris quadriaurita) is a low-maintenance fern that needs pruning only to remove dead or damaged fronds. No structural pruning is needed or beneficial. Remove spent fronds at the base to keep the plant healthy and tidy. It regenerates continuously from the rhizome crown.

Cut dead or heavily tattered fronds cleanly at their base with sterile scissors or snips. Do not cut back living fronds or attempt to shape the plant — ferns do not respond to shaping the way shrubs do.