Soft tree fern Dicksonia antarctica
Soft tree fern (Dicksonia antarctica) is an evergreen perennial tree in the Dicksoniaceae family, native to Southeastern Australia (Victoria, Tasmania, New South Wales highlands). It grows 2–5 m (6.6–16 ft) tall and 3–4 m (10–13 ft) wide, wants part sun to part shade and high water, and is hardy to about -8 °C (18 °F). Space plants about 2.5 m (8.2 ft) apart.
Plan Soft tree fern in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Soft tree fern at a glance
| Type | Perennial tree, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Dicksoniaceae |
| Mature height | 2–5 m (6.6–16 ft) |
| Mature spread | 3–4 m (10–13 ft) |
| Spacing | 2.5 m (8.2 ft) centre to centre |
| Sun | Part sun to part shade, at least 3 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | High; drought tolerance none, waterlogging tolerance low |
| Soil pH | 5–7 |
| Cold hardiness | About -8 °C (18 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 8) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 28 °C (82 °F) |
| Wind tolerance | None |
| Pollinator value | None |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Native to | Southeastern Australia (Victoria, Tasmania, New South Wales highlands) |
| Common in gardens of | 🇦🇺 Australia, 🇬🇧 United Kingdom |
Is Soft tree fern toxic?
- People: not well documented
- Cats: not well documented
- Dogs: not well documented
Not listed by the ASPCA; toxicity is not well documented for this species.
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 Soft tree fern
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like part sun to part shade and high water.
See Soft tree fern in a botanical garden
It grows in these sample gardens, which you can walk through in 3D:
- The Huntington (2 plants)
- UC Botanical Garden, Berkeley (1 plants)
- Kirstenbosch (6 plants)
- Jardim Botânico do Rio de Janeiro (4 plants)
- Na ʻĀina Kai Botanical Gardens (8 plants)
- Kew: glasshouses and rock garden (1 plants)
Questions about Soft tree fern
- How far apart should I plant Soft tree fern?
- About 2.5 m (8.2 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 3–4 m (10–13 ft).
- Does Soft tree fern need full sun?
- Part sun to part shade: at least 3 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Soft tree fern need?
- High water. Drought tolerance is none and waterlogging tolerance low.
- How cold-hardy is Soft tree fern?
- It tolerates about -8 °C (18 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 8.
- Is Soft tree fern poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is not well documented; for dogs not well documented; for people not well documented. Not listed by the ASPCA; toxicity is not well documented for this species.
- What grows well with Soft tree fern?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Soft tree fern. Group it with plants that like the same sun (part sun to part shade) and water (high).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade B (B: extension service or peer-reviewed).
- Australian native plant profiles, Australian National Botanic Gardens / Australian Plants Society
- RHS Plant Finder, Royal Horticultural Society
- Plants of the World Online (taxonomy, native range), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
Notes and assumptions
- A tree fern: never flowers; reproduces by spores. The trunk takes up water, so keep the crown and trunk moist in dry spells.
- Fronds are damaged below about -3 C; wrap the crown in the northern limit of its range. Buy only legally sourced, tagged plants.
- Grows very slowly (about 2.5 cm of trunk a year).
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
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