Spiny tree fern Alsophila spinulosa
Spiny tree fern (Alsophila spinulosa) is an evergreen perennial tree in the Cyatheaceae family, native to South China, Japan, Himalaya to Thailand (ravine forest). It grows 3–8 m (10–26 ft) tall and 3–5 m (10–16 ft) wide, wants shade and high water, and is hardy to about 0 °C (32 °F). Space plants about 3 m (10 ft) apart.
Plan Spiny tree fern in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Spiny tree fern at a glance
| Type | Perennial tree, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Cyatheaceae |
| Mature height | 3–8 m (10–26 ft) |
| Mature spread | 3–5 m (10–16 ft) |
| Spacing | 3 m (10 ft) centre to centre |
| Sun | Shade, at least 2 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | High; drought tolerance none, waterlogging tolerance low |
| Soil pH | 5–6.5 |
| Cold hardiness | About 0 °C (32 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 10) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 34 °C (93 °F) |
| Wind tolerance | None |
| Pollinator value | None |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Native to | South China, Japan, Himalaya to Thailand (ravine forest) |
| Common in gardens of | 🇨🇳 China, 🇯🇵 Japan, 🇹🇭 Thailand |
Is Spiny tree 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 Spiny tree fern
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like shade and high water.
See Spiny tree fern in a botanical garden
It grows in this sample garden, which you can walk through in 3D:
- Fairy Lake Botanical Garden (14 plants)
Questions about Spiny tree fern
- How far apart should I plant Spiny tree fern?
- About 3 m (10 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 3–5 m (10–16 ft).
- Does Spiny tree fern need full sun?
- Shade: at least 2 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Spiny tree fern need?
- High water. Drought tolerance is none and waterlogging tolerance low.
- How cold-hardy is Spiny tree fern?
- It tolerates about 0 °C (32 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 10.
- Is Spiny tree 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 Spiny tree fern?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Spiny tree 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).
- Flora of China, Missouri Botanical Garden & Harvard University Herbaria (eFloras)
- Fairy Lake Botanical Garden: cycad and fern collections, Shenzhen Fairy Lake Botanical Garden
Notes and assumptions
- Ferns do not flower; flowering values are placeholders.
- A "living fossil" protected in China (Class II); Fairy Lake's fern valley holds wild stands.
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
- Silver tree fern (ponga) Alsophila dealbata
- Malesian tree fern Alsophila contaminans
- Lacy tree fern (Cooper’s tree fern) Sphaeropteris cooperi
- Dwarf mountain pine Pinus mugo
- Japanese maple Acer palmatum
- Black walnut Juglans nigra
- English yew Taxus baccata
- Serviceberry Amelanchier canadensis