About
Alsophila australis is a tree fern characterized by a crown of arching fronds at its apex. The stem is enveloped in the remains of old fronds, which are adorned with brown scales.
About the genus
This genus consists of tree ferns found in tropical and subtropical regions. They feature vertical stems topped with sizable, dark green fronds.
Growing conditions
- Sunlight
- Partial shade
- Soil type
- Loam, Sand
- Soil pH
- Acid, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Moist but well-drained
- Aspect
- South-facing, East-facing, West-facing
- Exposure
- Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H2
Plant details
- Plant type
- Conservatory Greenhouse, Ferns
- Habit
- Bushy
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Height
- 2.5-4 metres
- Spread
- 2.5-4 metres
- Time to full height
- 20-50 years
- Suggested uses
- City and courtyard gardens, Coastal, Cottage and informal garden, Architectural
- Native to
- Eastern Australia
Care notes
- Cultivation
- In areas prone to frost, grow in a container under glass with a minimum winter temperature of 10°C (50F). The plant may be placed outside during the summer in a sheltered and partially shaded spot. It requires a moist but well-drained humus-rich soil; in hot, dry summers water the stem as well as the soil, but avoid watering the crown in winter. Apply liquid fertiliser monthly during the growing season. Will grow without winter protection only in milder areas. See tree fern cultivation for further advice
- Pruning
- Dead or damaged fronds may be removed as necessary
- Propagation
- Propagate by sowing spores as soon as ripe
- Pest resistance
- Generally pest-free outdoors
- Disease resistance
- Generally disease-free