Sphaeropteris cooperi ~ Australian Tree Fern

Sphaeropteris cooperi ~ Australian Tree FernAustralian 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. Type: Fern, Annual Height: 15' 25+' (Potted) Spread: 10' 12'

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. 

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.