previous
  • Fragrant Plants for Pathways
    Fragrant Plants for Pathways
  • Dwarf Citrus Trees
    Dwarf Citrus Trees
  • Save Money by Growing Your Own
    Save Money by Growing Your Own
  • NEW Video Series: There's a Better Way
    NEW Video Series: There's a Better Way
  • Designing with Curved Terraces
    Designing with Curved Terraces
  • Elephant's Ears
    Elephant's Ears
  • Containers as Focal Points
    Containers as Focal Points
  • Garden Confidential: A Plant Walks into a Bar
    Garden Confidential: A Plant Walks into a Bar
  • Plant an Easy-to-Water Strawberry Jar
    Plant an Easy-to-Water Strawberry Jar
  • Slideshow: Beautiful Clematis
    Slideshow: Beautiful Clematis
  • Fast-Growing Trees for Impatient Gardeners
    Fast-Growing Trees for Impatient Gardeners
  • Comfortable Alfresco Dining
    Comfortable Alfresco Dining
  • Pretty in Pink
    Pretty in Pink
  • Plants that Spark!
    Plants that Spark!
  • Indeterminate or Determinate Tomatoes?
    Indeterminate or Determinate Tomatoes?
  • Colorful Selections for Shade
    Colorful Selections for Shade
  • Thoughts From a Foreign Field
    Thoughts From a Foreign Field
  • Mulch for a Healthy Garden
    Mulch for a Healthy Garden
  • Make a Succulent Topiary
    Make a Succulent Topiary
  • Building a Compost Bin
    Building a Compost Bin
  • Lawn Alternatives
    Lawn Alternatives
  • Stylish Shady Containers
    Stylish Shady Containers
  • 6 Tips for Weed Control
    6 Tips for Weed Control
  • Homegrown / Homemade
    Homegrown / Homemade
  • In Pursuit of the Perfect Potting Shed
    In Pursuit of the Perfect Potting Shed
next
Find a plant:

OR Browse All Plants


Cyathea australis (Australian tree fern, Rough tree fern)


Be the first to rate this plant

Plant Showcase - from our advertisers


Hardiness Zones: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11
Botanical Name: Cyathea australis sy-ATH-ee-ah oss-TRAL-iss Common Name: Australian tree fern, Rough tree fern Synonyms: Alsophila australis
Australian tree fern has dark green fronds that can reach 12 feet long. Its stem elongates into a trunk-like structure, giving the plant the appearance of a palm tree. Humidity is essential to growing this plant well. Use it as a specimen plant, in a container, or in a greenhouse.
 Noteworthy characteristics: Feathery, large foliage.
 Care: Provide full sun and moist soil, or dappled shade and moist, fertile, well-drained soil. When grown indoors, provide bright filtered light and medium to high humidity. Mist plants on hot days, whether grown indoors or out.
 Propagation: Sow fresh spores at 59-64°F.
 Problems: Generally trouble-free.
Height 3 ft. to 6 ft.;6 ft. to 10 ft.
Spread 6 ft. to 10 ft.
Growth Habit Clumps
Light Full Sun to Part Shade
Moisture Medium Moisture
Maintenance Moderate
Characteristics Showy Foliage
Foliage Color Evergreen
Uses Container, Specimen Plant/ Focal Point, Suitable as Annual
Seasonal Interest Summer Interest
Type Fern

Plants you might also like

no image available Cyrtomium falcatum
(Japanese holly fern) Be the first to rate this plant
Hardiness Zones: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

Spreading, glossy, dark green fronds reach a length of 8 to 24 inches. This fern has holly-like pinnae and sori scattered over the underside of the pinnae.
Adiantum capillus-veneris Adiantum capillus-veneris
(Southern maidenhair fern) Be the first to rate this plant
Hardiness Zones: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

The southern maidenhair fern has fluffy, airy, and elegant foliage, which works equally well in containers or in open ground. It's a perfect plant for providing light, airy texture to shady beds. -Tom Nelson, Regional Picks: Northern California, Fine Gardening issue #127

Pteridium aquilinum Pteridium aquilinum
(Bracken) Be the first to rate this plant
Hardiness Zones: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

A native fern with triangular-shaped, stiff, upright fronds that can tolerate dry soil and full sun. Bracken can make very large colonies and are found in a variety of habitats ranging from dry and wet forests to meadows and bogs. They grow up to 4.5 feet tall.
Cyrtomium fortunei Cyrtomium fortunei
(Japanese holly fern) Be the first to rate this plant
Hardiness Zones: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

Usually found in moist, rocky areas or woodland in central and eastern Asia, this evergreen fern is deciduous in colder climates. Fronds may be cut to the ground in spring if damaged by dry winter winds. The distinctive fronds make great accents among groundcovers, or in drifts with perennials, shrubs, and trees.
Nephrolepis exaltata 'Rita's Gold™' Nephrolepis exaltata 'Rita's Gold™'
(Boston fern) Be the first to rate this plant

Slightly more compact than classic Boston ferns, this golden-leaved selection features striking chartreuse fronds that prefer shade but will tolerate intermittent sun. It shimmers from a distance and blends beautifully with impatiens, begonias, and caladiums in mixed containers. Introduced in 2006.