March 25, 2025, 2:31 pm | Read time: 5 minutes
At first glance, the tree fern looks like a palm tree. On closer inspection, however, even laypeople can see that this is a primeval fern. myHOMEBOOK gives tips on how to care for the largest ferns.
Anyone who has ever admired the forests of New Zealand or those in tropical to subtropical regions of Australia is sure to have noticed the imposing tree ferns. However, they are not a recent arrival on our planet. On the contrary, they are one of the few prehistoric creatures on our planet that already populated it around 400 million years ago. However, they were probably much larger originally. They once grew up to 30 meters tall. This can be estimated on the basis of fossil finds. Tree ferns came to Europe in the 19th century. In England, they were popular attractions in the tropical houses of botanical gardens. However, in particularly humid and mild winter regions, such as southern England, tree ferns also grow outdoors in gardens and parks.
Overview
Planting Tree Ferns
Tree ferns are available from garden centers or well-stocked DIY stores. Smaller specimens can also be ordered online. It is important to ensure that the plants are not exposed to sub-zero temperatures during transportation. Tree ferns are often sold in pots that are far too small for them. Repotting is therefore highly recommended after purchase to give the roots more space and provide the plant with new substrate and nutrients.
Appearance and Growth
From a distance, tree ferns resemble small palm trees, as they have a thick, woody trunk and a leaf crown at the top. The trunk actually consists of elongated rhizomes that form a solid sheath in the lower part of the trunk to stabilize the plant. At the tip of this stem-like rhizome, the fern fronds typically unfurl from small, hairy, coiled structures.
Location and Soil
The ancient fern needs a slightly moist environment at all times and should, therefore, not be placed directly next to or above a heater or in full sun in summer. The ideal indoor location is a bright spot in a cooler room, such as the bathroom or bedroom, but not in direct sunlight. In summer, the tree fern can be moved to a shady and sheltered spot on the balcony or in the garden.
The substrate for tree ferns should consist of bark humus, expanded clay, and gravel. It should be a loose and nutrient-rich mixture that should always be moist.
Varieties
The order of tree ferns encompasses numerous families, which in turn consist of various species and varieties distributed across tropical and subtropical regions worldwide. The most common varieties found in our climate include:
- Antarctic tree fern: This tree fern belongs to the tree fern family Dicksoniaceae, which in turn comprises three genera with 37 species. The Antarctic tree fern is considered to be particularly frost-resistant and is, therefore, often planted outdoors in sheltered locations in mild winter regions. It can grow up to six meters tall, and its trunk up to 40 centimeters wide.
- Australian tree fern: If you are looking for a tree fern for a rather dry climate, the Australian tree fern is the best choice. Its fern fronds are impressive, reaching a maximum length of three meters.
- Scale tree fern: The fronds of this tree fern species are silver-grey in comparison to other species in this plant order.
Caring for Tree Ferns
The tree fern is not particularly demanding to care for.
Watering
Drought is the tree fern’s biggest enemy. If you want to make sure that the substrate is always moist enough, check daily for sufficient moisture and water in moderation. However, tree ferns also need regular showers in which the trunk and fronds are soaked with water.
What can easily be done in the garden with a garden hose is more difficult indoors in winter. To do this, either place the tree fern in the shower and rinse it off or spray it with a spray bottle.
Fertilizing
From April to September, the irrigation water should be enriched with liquid fertilizer every 14 days.
Pruning Tree Ferns
Tree ferns do not require explicit pruning as the individual fronds continue to sprout from the top of the plant. However, dried fern fronds can simply be snapped off.
Winter Hardiness
Tree ferns are not very hardy in our latitudes. Warm greenhouses are an exception. The conservatory or a cool but bright room are also good winter quarters.
Toxic
The spores and fronds of the tree fern are toxic to both humans and animals. The plants are, therefore, unsuitable for households with small children or pets.
Propagation
The easiest way to propagate the tree fern is with the help of the spores that form in the spore containers on the undersides of the fronds. If you want to collect these, remove a frond with ripe spores from the plant and place it in a bag, which should be slightly open. As the frond dries out, the ripe spores usually simply fall off and are collected in the bag. Spread the spores on moist sowing soil; do not cover them with soil, and keep them moist at all times.
Alternatives to Tree Ferns
If you are looking for a drought-resistant alternative to tree ferns, palm trees of all kinds are a good choice. The yucca palm, for example, is particularly suitable for beginners, as it doesn’t take weeks of watering too badly. In contrast to the tree fern, it also prefers sunny and warm locations.
Bee Friendliness
Tree ferns do not bear flowers that are of interest to insects.
Use
For those looking to add a touch of the tropics to their home and garden, especially if they have a spacious conservatory, tree ferns can provide stunning accents. Placing a pair of tree ferns on either side of the house entrance in the front garden can create an especially elegant appearance.
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Diseases and Pests
Dry heating air can encourage infestation by scale insects and mealybugs. However, the ancient fern is resistant to most diseases and pests as long as the humidity is high enough and it is not in direct sunlight.