Australian Tree Fern
Sphaeropteris cooperi
Australian Tree Fern is a massive tree-like fern that starts with a clumping form and develops a thick fuzzy trunk as it begins to grow upward. The huge bright green lacy fronds gracefully arch from the trunk. Grows best in part shade and rich, moist well-drained soils. Australian Tree Fern's growth can be slowed with potting. Treat as an annual if left outside in areas with hard frost.
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Type: |
Fern, Annual |
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Height: |
15' - 25+' (Potted) |
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Spread: |
10' - 12' |
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Spacing: |
10' |
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USDA Hardiness Zone: |
8 - 11 |
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Culture: |
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Bloom Color: |
N/A |
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Season of Interest: |
MAINTENANCE NEEDS: Low maintenance plant. Requires high humidity- do not let soils dry out, and keep the trunk moist as well to promote a healthy plant. Susceptible to root rot in poorly drained soils. NOTE: The fronds produce large amounts of spores in spring, do not use if have asthma. TO SLOW GROWTH: when grown in a container, repot every year until reaches size wanted to maintain then stop repotting.
LANDSCAPE USES: Accents or Group Plantings, Borders, Woodland Gardens, Greenhouses, Patios , and Containers.
COMPANION PLANTS: Coral Bells, Hosta, Heucherella
IMAGES: Photo by High Forests, cyathea cooperi, (2) Magnus Manske, P1130590 Cyathea cooperi, CC BY-SA 3.0, (3) Photo by David J. Stang, Cyathea cooperi 29zz, CC BY-SA 4.0
*As plants have ranges in appearance they may not appear as the images shown.
