Intermediate
skill rating
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Cyathea dealbata (Silvery tree fern)
2 hours care
per year
per year
10m
Max height
Max height
3m
Max spread
Max spread
20-50 years
To maturity
To maturity
Plant details
Botanical name
Cyathea dealbata
Other names
Silvery tree fern, Alsophila dealbata, Silver fern, Silver tree fern, Ponga, Punga, Alsophila tricolor, Cyathea tricolor, Polypodium dealbatum
Genus
Cyathea Cyathea
Species
C. dealbata - C. dealbata is a vigorous yet tender, evergreen tree fern with a single, slender stem bearing a terminal cluster of narrowly ovate, pinnate, mid- to dark green fronds, silvery-grey beneath and divided into oblong or lance-shaped segments.
Cyathea dealbata is: Evergreen
Habit
Arching
Foliage
Dark-green, Silvery-grey in All seasons
How to care
Watch out for
General care
Pruning
Remove dead or damaged fronds as needed.
Propagation methods
Division, Spores
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Where to grow
Cyathea dealbata (Silvery tree fern) will reach a height of 10m and a spread of 3m after 20-50 years.
Suggested uses
Architectural, Beds and borders, City, Coastal, Containers, Cottage/Informal, Foliage only, Greenhouse, Sub-Tropical
Cultivation
Plant outdoors in humus-rich, moist, well-drained soil. In summer water the stem but avoid watering the crown in winter. Not reliably hardy even in the mildest areas. Need to protect overwinter. Under glass, grow in a large container in a mix of 1 part each loam, sharp sand, and charcoal and 3 parts leaf mould. Needs bright light and moderate to high humidity. In growth, water freely & feed monthly.
Soil type
Loamy, Sandy
Soil drainage
Moist but well-drained, Well-drained
Soil pH
Acid, Neutral
Light
Partial Shade, Full Shade
Aspect
North, East, West
Exposure
Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Indoor unheated (H2), Tender in frost (H3)
Companion plants
We do not currently have companion plants added for this plant.
Botanical name
Cyathea dealbata
Other names
Silvery tree fern, Alsophila dealbata, Silver fern, Silver tree fern, Ponga, Punga, Alsophila tricolor, Cyathea tricolor, Polypodium dealbatum
Genus
Cyathea Cyathea
Species
C. dealbata - C. dealbata is a vigorous yet tender, evergreen tree fern with a single, slender stem bearing a terminal cluster of narrowly ovate, pinnate, mid- to dark green fronds, silvery-grey beneath and divided into oblong or lance-shaped segments.
Native to
New Zealand
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Arching
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Colour
Foliage
Dark-green, Silvery-grey in All seasons
General care
Pruning
Remove dead or damaged fronds as needed.
Propagation methods
Division, Spores
Monthly care advice
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Where to grow
Cyathea dealbata (Silvery tree fern) will reach a height of 10m and a spread of 3m after 20-50 years.
Suggested uses
Architectural, Beds and borders, City, Coastal, Containers, Cottage/Informal, Foliage only, Greenhouse, Sub-Tropical
Cultivation
Plant outdoors in humus-rich, moist, well-drained soil. In summer water the stem but avoid watering the crown in winter. Not reliably hardy even in the mildest areas. Need to protect overwinter. Under glass, grow in a large container in a mix of 1 part each loam, sharp sand, and charcoal and 3 parts leaf mould. Needs bright light and moderate to high humidity. In growth, water freely & feed monthly.
Soil type
Loamy, Sandy
Soil drainage
Moist but well-drained, Well-drained
Soil pH
Acid, Neutral
Light
Partial Shade, Full Shade
Aspect
North, East, West
Exposure
Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Indoor unheated (H2), Tender in frost (H3)
USDA zones
Zone 10, Zone 9
In order to add a note on this plant, please add this plant to your plant lists.
| This plant likes... | Garden match | |
| Soil types: | Loamy, Sandy | Tell us... |
| Soil drainage: | Moist but well-drained, Well-drained | Tell us... |
| Soil pH: | Acid, Neutral | Tell us... |
| Light: | Partial Shade, Full Shade | Tell us... |
| Aspect: | North, East, West | Tell us... |
| Exposure: | Sheltered | Tell us... |
| Hardiness: | Indoor unheated (H2), Tender in frost (H3) | Tell us... |
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