Giant fern (king fern) Angiopteris evecta
Giant fern (king fern) (Angiopteris evecta) is an evergreen perennial shrub in the Marattiaceae family, native to Madagascar to Polynesia and NE Australia (wet rainforest gullies). It grows 2–5 m (6.6–16 ft) tall and 3–7 m (10–23 ft) wide, wants shade and high water, and is hardy to about 5 °C (41 °F). Space plants about 4 m (13 ft) apart.
Plan Giant fern (king fern) in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Giant fern (king fern) at a glance
| Type | Perennial shrub, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Marattiaceae |
| Mature height | 2–5 m (6.6–16 ft) |
| Mature spread | 3–7 m (10–23 ft) |
| Spacing | 4 m (13 ft) centre to centre |
| Sun | Shade, at least 1 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | High; drought tolerance none, waterlogging tolerance moderate |
| Soil pH | 5–7 |
| Cold hardiness | About 5 °C (41 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 11) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 33 °C (91 °F) |
| Wind tolerance | None |
| Pollinator value | None |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Native to | Madagascar to Polynesia and NE Australia (wet rainforest gullies) |
| Common in gardens of | 🇸🇬 Singapore, 🇦🇺 Australia |
| Invasive in | Hawaii, Jamaica, Costa Rica: check local rules before planting |
Is Giant fern (king fern) toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not known to be toxic
- Dogs: not known to be toxic
No toxicity reported in ASPCA or standard poison references.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Giant fern (king fern)
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like shade and high water.
See Giant fern (king fern) in a botanical garden
It grows in these sample gardens, which you can walk through in 3D:
- Singapore Botanic Gardens (4 plants)
- Fairy Lake Botanical Garden (3 plants)
- Kew: glasshouses and rock garden (3 plants)
Questions about Giant fern (king fern)
- How far apart should I plant Giant fern (king fern)?
- About 4 m (13 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 3–7 m (10–23 ft).
- Does Giant fern (king fern) need full sun?
- Shade: at least 1 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Giant fern (king fern) need?
- High water. Drought tolerance is none and waterlogging tolerance moderate.
- How cold-hardy is Giant fern (king fern)?
- It tolerates about 5 °C (41 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 11.
- Is Giant fern (king fern) poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is not known to be toxic; for dogs not known to be toxic; for people not known to be toxic. No toxicity reported in ASPCA or standard poison references.
- What grows well with Giant fern (king fern)?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Giant fern (king fern). Group it with plants that like the same sun (shade) and water (high).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade B (B: extension service or peer-reviewed).
- Plants of the World Online (taxonomy, native range), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
- Kew Gardens: Palm House, Temperate House, Rock Garden and Mediterranean Garden, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
- Australian native plant profiles, Australian National Botanic Gardens / Australian Plants Society
Notes and assumptions
- Tropical: outdoors only in frost-free climates; in temperate gardens grow it under heated glass (as in the Kew Palm House).
- Ferns do not flower; flowering values are placeholders.
- Has some of the largest fronds of any fern (up to 7–9 m in the wild); an ancient (Carboniferous) lineage.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- Bigleaf hydrangea Hydrangea macrophylla
- Rhododendron Rhododendron
- Boxwood Buxus sempervirens
- Oleander Nerium oleander
- Common ninebark Physocarpus opulifolius
- Camellia Camellia japonica
- Gardenia Gardenia jasminoides
- Common lilac Syringa vulgaris