Description
All about Australian Tree Fern
Cyanthea Cooperi, more commonly known as Australian Tree fern, can make for a beautiful addition to your landscape. Despite its name, the Australian fern does not stand true to its name. Why do you ask? Well, it is actually more of a tree than a fern because of its large size.
Typically, ferns have a mature height of not more than 18 inches, but Cyanthea Cooperi is different. It grows up to 25 feet or taller in its original location, Australia. As a houseplant, though, Australian ferns can grow up to 15 feet tall and 8 feet wide.
Zone 10 works best for this evergreen plant, but you might need to place it in a container in Zone 98. This is because you will need to bring your outdoor plant indoors during colder months.
Care
The tropical plant looks unique, and while it can thrive in partially shady areas, it is in no way a low-maintenance plant. Let’s have a look at the care requirements for the Australian tree fern.
Light
Cyathea Cooperi prefers shady spots, but it can also thrive in and tolerate partially sunny and fully sunny locations. However, you will need to increase its watering cadence as you increase the amount of sunlight it gets on a daily basis.
Soil
Australian ferns do well in a variety of soils, including loam, sand, and clay. However, it grows healthier in a moist, rich, and loamy soil mixture. The potting medium should have good draining quality with neutral to acidic pH levels. To add more nutrients to the soil, add some mulch around your plant.
Water
This plant is not at all drought-tolerant and will start showing signs of unhealthiness immediately. So, set your watering schedule in a way that the soil of your Cyathea Cooperi remains moist at all times. It needs high levels of moisture and humidity, so watering it weekly and more frequently in dryer weather conditions should work. However, you should only water from the trunk, not the crown.
Fertilizer
Australian tree fern requires monthly feeding if you’re using a controlled-release fertilizer. In case of weak liquid fertilizers, you might want to feed your plant every two weeks. Mature and large plants may require more frequent feedings.
Pests and Diseases
Most Cyathea Cooperi plants are not prone to any major pests and diseases. But infestations that you should look out for include occasional mealybugs and mites. In case of infestation, use water spraying or treat the plant using insecticides or neem oil.
Pruning
The Australian fern is a fast-growing plant, meaning it can expand in a matter of a few years only. To avoid your plant from getting out of control, make sure you don’t skip pruning. It is best to completely cut the tree down to ground level. This will allow the growth of new sprouts at the crown. You can also choose to dig out the fern and replace it with a new one if needed.
Propagation
Spring season is the best time to propagate your Australian tree fern. You can use the offshoots that grow at the base of the plant. Use a sharp spade to sever an offshoot and bring it to a size of about 4 inches. Place the offshoots in a lightly moist potting medium in a way that they stand upright.
Potting/Repotting
When planting a Cyathea Cooperi, keep in mind that it requires a spacious area to grow and expand. In case you are growing your plant indoors in a container, you will need to repot it in a larger one once every year. Make sure you use fresh soil for repotting.
Scott M. (verified owner) –
Great packaging and shipping. Plant is healthy. just hope I dont kill it. It will be the center peice of our back yard someday
Thomas P. (verified owner) –
The large Australian tree fern I got this year was quite a bit smaller than the one I got last year. It came in good shape though.
Eric (verified owner) –
PAUL CRABB (verified owner) –
Perfect Specimens as Usual, Exactly as Pictured… Even Though The Shipping Box was Found Upside Down on My Porch. These Guys are The Masters of Selling Quality Plants Online. I Live in Central Fl (Fairly close to PlantVine in South Fl). From Checkout to Delivery was Under 48 hrs. 5 STARS! Thanks Again
marian (verified owner) –
The plant was in great shape when it arrived!
Mark (verified owner) –
Very nice
Adam Walters (verified owner) –
Thank you! They look great
Ella M. (verified owner) –
Arrived in great condition, was really nice that they sent a picture of the actual plant I was getting before it shipped, too. This tree fern is definitely my new favorite plant and I love her.
Johnny Posey (verified owner) –
delivered in great condition and the plants are larger than expected
Anonymous (verified owner) –
I was excited to receive the Australian Fern. It arrived dry and wilted. I was disappointed however, with the cold temperatures, understood. I called them twice, left messages which they claim would be responded to within 24 hours, this was last week. Still waiting…….
Martha C. (verified owner) –
Beautiful healthy tree ferns! Thank you!!! You exceeded my expectations!!!
Andrew (verified owner) –
Liz (verified owner) –
The plant is beautiful and arrived in good condition.
Brian Balanoff (verified owner) –
Perfect packing/shipping arrived in terrific condition. Thank you!
Anonymous (verified owner) –
A few fronds were bent during delivery and had to be cut off. Otherwise, the plant is healthy and doing well.
Steven K. (verified owner) –
Arrived in perfect condition
Dan R. Morris (verified owner) –
Anonymous (verified owner) –
Great looking plant. Beyond my expectations.
Dana B. (verified owner) –
prettier than expected, well packaged and good communication regarding the shipping
Thomas P. (verified owner) –
Surprised that the Australian Tree Fern arrived with only 1 broken frond. I watered it and it seems very happy. Strong winds here broke another couple of fronds but I’m sure it will be stronger in no time. It’s already putting on new fronds. I’m so happy to get a new Australian Tree Fern after mine was lost in the big snow storm/freeze here in Houston.
Austin Steele (verified owner) –
Came in perfect condition
Amazing shipping as always
Cecilia C. (verified owner) –
We ordered 3 Australian Tree Ferns.
One of them was really what we expected, the second one was ok, smaller than the first one and the third one was really small.
All of them are alive and they may develop and grow to be nice size Australian tree ferns.
We had two beautiful Australian tree ferns and we lost them in the unexpected freeze in Houston.
Debra F. (verified owner) –
My plant arrived in excellent form except the soil was bone dry due to delivery delays. I gave the pot a good soak in fresh rain water and I think she will be just fine!
Louis (verified owner) –
Very nice plants. Came really quick after order. Would recommend easily. Thanks for the plants
Suzy O. (verified owner) –
Beautiful plant.
William (verified owner) –
healthy tree ferns doing fine.
John Baker / Burch Corporation (verified owner) –
Rachel J. –
Thank you! My poor plant had a rough journey through some unexpected, extreme weather, so it arrived sad and in terrible condition and unfortunately, could not recover. However, customer service was very understanding and helpful and refunded my purchase. While there are some things one can’t control, like weather, Plant Vine did what was in their control to ensure my overall experience was very positive. I will definitely be a returning customer.
Blaine P. (verified owner) –
Edit. Plant arrived in beautiful condition! Ended up delivered today. I still hate Fedex please consider USPS much better service from them.
Orig review: FedEx has had my package in Portland for five days. My delivery has been scheduled and postponed three times. FedEx is the worst shipper ever. I don’t know how my plant will survive. I guess I’ll find out Monday, unless they delay delivery again.
Yvonne Spinella (verified owner) –
Beautiful!