Great as a gift 🌸
Cliff Brake
Pellaea rotundifolia · Pteridaceae
How it looks
Cliff Brake is a small fern with small, round, coin-like glossy dark green leaflets arranged alternately along the stem. Unlike typical ferns, its leaves are not divided, making it quite distinctive. It reaches 8-12 in (20-30 cm) tall.
Cliff Brake is a fern with no known toxicity to cats according to the ASPCA. A nibble or two is unlikely to cause any real trouble.
Guide for parents
Most ferns are a safe plant group for cats. Their trailing fronds can look like toys and invite batting, but a nibble or two won't lead to serious trouble. If you'd rather not have the fronds constantly roughed up, use a high shelf or a hanging planter out of reach. If it lives in the bathroom, chemicals like cleaners, air fresheners, and hairspray can be more dangerous to your cat than the plant — check the ventilation there as well. The key to care is keeping the soil from drying out completely, and it grows best in bright indirect light rather than direct sun.
Details
- Scientific name
- Pellaea rotundifolia
- Common name
- Cliff Brake
- Family
- Pteridaceae
- Source
- ASPCA
Related plants
Same plant family· Pteridaceae
Other safe flowers
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