In Asia it occurs in Sri Lanka, India, Assam, Pakistan, Himalaya, Nepal, Bangladesh, Tibet, China (North-Central, South-Central, Southeast), Myanmar, Cambodia, Japan, Korea, Laos, Thailand, Vietnam, Taiwan, Nanshoto, Philippines, Ascension, Réunion.

Pteris cretica is a neophyte introduced into the USA distributed via Mexico, Central America and Caribbean Islands to Colombia and Peru, Hawaii, New Zealand, Australia, the Azores.

laeta is native in an area from East Turkey to tropical and subtropical Asia, the Indian subcontinent: Afghanistan, Assam, Cambodia, China South-Central, China Southeast, East Himalaya, India, Iran, Japan, Laos, Lesser Sunda Islands, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Sulawesi, Taiwan, Thailand, Tibet, Transcaucasus, Turkey, Vietnam and West Himalaya.

With a minimum temperature of 2 °C (36 °F), both require protection from frost, though the species is hardier and can be grown outdoors during the summer months in cold climates.

[9] A relictual presence is certificated in the Italian peninsula Lazio (Ponte Terra gorge, San Vittorino, Rome).