About
Alsophila tricolor is a frost-sensitive, evergreen tree fern that can grow as tall as 10 meters. It features a slender, dark brown trunk topped with clusters of arching, divided fronds. These fronds, which can reach lengths of up to 3 meters, exhibit a rich green color on their upper surfaces, while the undersides display a silvery-grey hue once they mature.
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
- North-facing, West-facing, East-facing
- Exposure
- Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H3
Plant details
- Plant type
- Ferns
- Habit
- Columnar upright
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Height
- 8-12 metres
- Spread
- 2.5-4 metres
- Time to full height
- 20-50 years
- Suggested uses
- Architectural, Coastal, City and courtyard gardens
Care notes
- Cultivation
- In areas prone to frost, grow in a container under glass with a minimum winter temperature of 10°C. 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
- Disease resistance
- Generally disease-free