How do I water a tree fern?

Water directly into the crown and down the trunk rather than just at the base.

Does it need full sun?

No, it prefers partial to full shade to prevent frond scorching.

Plant guide

Soft Tree Fern.

Dicksonia antarctica

Pronounced dik-SO-nee-uh an-tark-TI-kuh

Also known as Australian Tree Ferns, Australian Tree-fern, Australian tree fern, Australian treefern, soft tree fern

Dicksonia antarctica — Photo by Stella Fish (CC BY) via gbif

The soft tree fern is a stunning, slow growing plant that brings a prehistoric feel to any garden. It features a thick, fibrous trunk topped with a crown of lush, arching fronds. These ferns thrive in cool, damp environments and make a beautiful focal point.

Another photo of Soft Tree Fern — Photo by Zara (CC BY) via iNaturalist

At a glance

Care level: Moderate
Plant type: Fern
Light: Partial shade to full shade
Indoor light: Bright indirect
Water: Every 2 to 4 days
Mature size: 15 to 20 feet
Growth rate: Slow
Hardiness: USDA 9 to 11
Bloom time: Does not bloom

Care

Keep the crown and trunk moist by watering them directly, as they absorb moisture through these areas. Watch for browning fronds which often indicate the plant is too dry or exposed to harsh winds. Ensure the soil stays consistently damp but never waterlogged to keep your fern happy.

Watering: Keep the trunk and soil consistently moist throughout the growing season.
Feeding: Apply a balanced liquid fertilizer to the trunk and soil during the spring and summer.
Pruning: Remove dead or damaged fronds at the base of the stem once a year in late winter.
Repotting: Repot only when the plant has clearly outgrown its container, though they prefer to stay somewhat rootbound.
Soil: Rich, acidic, well draining soil
Soil pH: 5.5 to 6.5
Temperature: -5 to 35°C
Humidity: 60 to 90%
Drought tolerance: Low
Lifespan: Perennial, can live for centuries.
Deer and rabbits: High

Signs it needs repotting

Roots growing out of the drainage holes.
Stunted frond growth.
Soil breaking down and losing structure.

Safety

People: The plant is not considered toxic to humans.
Children: Keep children away from the hairy trunk to prevent skin irritation.
Contact allergens: The fine hairs on the trunk can cause skin irritation upon contact.
Airborne allergens: Spore dust may cause mild respiratory irritation in sensitive individuals.
Edibility: This plant is not intended for consumption.

How to identify it

Thick fibrous brown trunk
Large arching dark green fronds
Fronds grow from central crown
Trunk covered in soft hairs

Height: 2 to 6m
Spread: 2 to 4m
Leaves: dark green, evergreen
Flowers: 0cm

Problems to watch for

By symptom

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Growing it

Propagation: spores, offsets
When to plant: spring, early autumn
Overwintering: Wrap the crown with horticultural fleece during freezing weather to protect the growing point. Keep the trunk moist even in winter.
In containers: It grows well in large, heavy containers that provide stability for its height.

Spore collection

1. Collect brown spores from the underside of mature fronds.
2. Sprinkle onto moist, sterile peat based compost.
3. Cover with glass and keep in a warm, shaded spot.

Group with other moisture loving shade plants to create a humid microclimate.

Grows well with

Hosta · They share similar shade and moisture requirements.
Bleeding Heart · It adds delicate color beneath the fern canopy.

Similar species

Cyathea cooperi · Another popular tree fern but with a faster growth rate.

Science

Family: Dicksoniaceae
Genus: Dicksonia
Order: Cyatheales
Class: Polypodiopsida
Native range: Eastern Australia and Tasmania.
Conservation: Wild collection is strictly regulated to protect native populations in Australia.

It thrives in cool, moist, shaded rainforest understories where it captures moisture from the air.

Value to wildlife: provides shelter for small invertebrates
Uses: ornamental focal point, shade garden feature

Through the year

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Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

Salinity: 1/9
Soil reaction: 5/9
Light: 2/9
Temperature: 5/9
Moisture: 8/9
Nutrients: 5/9

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

How do I water a tree fern?: Water directly into the crown and down the trunk rather than just at the base.
Does it need full sun?: No, it prefers partial to full shade to prevent frond scorching.

Where the name comes from

The name honors James Dickson, a Scottish botanist, while antarctica refers to its southern hemisphere origin.

Good to know

It is one of the oldest living plant species on Earth.
The trunk is actually a fibrous mass of roots rather than true wood.
It can survive light frosts if the crown is protected.

Also in

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This guide was generated with AI on September 23, 2026 and checked against GBIF taxonomy. It is general information, not horticultural or veterinary advice. Read about how we build these guides.