Dicksonia antarctica (medium size trunk)

Soft Tree Fern

(31 customer reviews)

From: £310.95

The easiest tree fern to cultivate in the UK, Dicksonia antarctica has a spectacular crown of huge, finely dissected foliage on magnificent broad fibrous trunks.

This Dicksonia antactica has a medium sized trunk, sized between 3 – 6 feet tall.

These ferns which are harvested under licence have the roots and fronds removed for easy shipping. Once planted they rapidly and dramatically re-frond.

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Origin: Australia and Tasmania
Genus: Dicksonia
Species / Cultivar: antartica
Common Name: Soft Tree Fern
Synonym: Balantium antarcticum

Plant Biography

Dicksonia are amongst the oldest plants in the world, they even pre-date dinosaurs, existing long before flowering plants evolved. The tall tree fern specimens you can find in wild forests of Australia and New Zealand can be several centuries old.

Dicksonia antarctica (medium size trunk)
Soil: Moisture Retaining
Soil that drains at a slower rate due to higher organic matter content.
Growth Rate: Medium
Expect to see moderate growth during growing season.
Water Requirement: High
Likely to require supplementary watering in warmer months, even once established.
Maintenance: A little
Easy to look after but may occasionally require some attention in order to thrive.
Situation: Part Shade
Enjoys several hours of direct sunlight but may enjoy dappling or shade at midday.
Eventual Height: 6m
The plant's ultimate height in typical growing conditions.
Eventual Spread: 4m
The plant's ultimate spread in typical growing conditions.
Hardiness: Hardy
Survives unprotected in an average winter. May need protection in extreme long frosts.
Habit: Semi Evergreen
May only remain evergreen in milder winters, or only loose leaves for a short period.

Expert Tip

We do not recommend cutting the fronds of the tree ferns as this will lead to the trunk becoming thinner as the plant grows.
Sustainably Sourced

Sustainably Sourced

Most of the larger D.antarctica tree ferns we sell come from Victoria, Australia, whilst the juvenile specimens are grown in Europe.

The trunks of D.antarctica are collected from the wild under the strict monitoring of The Department for Sustainability and Environment, under the Flora and Fauna Act of 1988. This ensures that the harvesting is done in a sustainable way, that will not damage the survival of the ecosystem.

Care & Size Guidance

Care & Size Guidance

Dicksonia antarctica is one of the hardier tree ferns suitable in the UK climate. It prefers a position in dappled shade and requires regular watering at the crown throughout spring and summer in order to keep the trunk damp.

In winter, provide some protection for the crown, for instance with the fleece jackets we offer, against frosts.

Dicksonia antarctica are really slow growing, only gaining about 1-2 inches per year in trunk height. A mature plant, with only 2 ft of trunk, can take 25 to 30 years to grow! When planting a tree fern you will lose some height in order to plant it stably in the ground – for instance about a foot on a medium sized tree fern. Thus we recommend buying a tree fern in the size you want now rather than hoping to see it grow quickly.

I'm very pleased with my tree fern. It has quickly produced lovely long leaves, and looks amazing.

Clare M

I'm very pleased with my tree fern. It has quickly produced lovely long leaves, and looks amazing.

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31 customer reviews for Dicksonia antarctica (medium size trunk)

Tree arrived bigger than expected took 3 of us to put it in looks fab ..delivery was also efficient

Bob Taylor (verified owner)

Was apprehensive buying a large tree fern blind, but am very pleased with the size and shape of my purchase. Some damage to the growing tip in transit – it was protruding from the side of the pallet – but I’m hoping that this won’t cause any long term problem. It’s been planted now for 4 days and already there are 6 fronds starting to unfurl so I’m keeping my fingers crossed.

Janet Budd (verified owner)

Ordered 4ft tree fern. It was an inch off 5 ft so well impressed with that! Planted that day, now 4 days later, I can feel 6 monkey paws starting to unfurl! Bought as a replacement for a smaller one lost during last winter, so I will be wrapping this in a fur coat when necessary!
The only slight negative was that this was delivered a day earlier than expected and we weren’t in. Luckily driver rang me and it was hidden from view (as much as a 5 ft tree can be hidden!) Possibly an email to say planned delivery, so we could have been here? Whatever, the end result is looking good 🤞. Thank you

Kim Mitchell (verified owner)