Intermediate
skill rating
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Cyathea smithii (Soft tree fern)
2 hours care
per year
per year
3m
Max height
Max height
3m
Max spread
Max spread
20-50 years
To maturity
To maturity
Plant details
Botanical name
Cyathea smithii
Other names
Soft tree fern, Katote, Golden tree fern
Genus
Cyathea Cyathea
Species
C. smithii - C. smithii is a tree fern with narrow, very light-green to golden yellow fronds bearing dark brown scales.
Cyathea smithii is: Evergreen
Habit
Arching
Flower
Insignificant or absent in All seasons
Foliage
Pale-green, Yellow-green in All seasons
How to care
Watch out for
General care
Pruning
Dead or damaged fronds should be removed.
Propagation methods
Division, Spores
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Where to grow
Cyathea smithii (Soft tree fern) will reach a height of 3m and a spread of 3m after 20-50 years.
Suggested uses
Sub-Tropical, City, Architectural, Containers, Instant, Foliage only
Cultivation
Plant outdoors in humus-rich, moist, well-drained soil. Water the stem but avoid watering the crown in winter. Quite hardy, but may need winter protection in colder areas. Or plant under glass in humid conditions in filtered light.
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.
Hardy (H4), Tender in frost (H3)
Companion plants
We do not currently have companion plants added for this plant.
Botanical name
Cyathea smithii
Other names
Soft tree fern, Katote, Golden tree fern
Genus
Cyathea Cyathea
Species
C. smithii - C. smithii is a tree fern with narrow, very light-green to golden yellow fronds bearing dark brown scales.
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Arching
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Colour
Flower
Insignificant or absent in All seasons
Foliage
Pale-green, Yellow-green in All seasons
General care
Pruning
Dead or damaged fronds should be removed.
Propagation methods
Division, Spores
Monthly care advice
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Where to grow
Cyathea smithii (Soft tree fern) will reach a height of 3m and a spread of 3m after 20-50 years.
Suggested uses
Sub-Tropical, City, Architectural, Containers, Instant, Foliage only
Cultivation
Plant outdoors in humus-rich, moist, well-drained soil. Water the stem but avoid watering the crown in winter. Quite hardy, but may need winter protection in colder areas. Or plant under glass in humid conditions in filtered light.
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.
Hardy (H4), Tender in frost (H3)
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: | Hardy (H4), Tender in frost (H3) | Tell us... |
GARDENS WITH THIS PLANT
ARTICLES WITH THIS PLANT
By Blackheath based garden designer Catherine Clancy MSGD. A family garden created for a New Zealand couple with two young children, in a small back yard in Greenwich, London. read more
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