Rough Tree Fern
Cyathea australis
Page last updated: Mar 11th, 2024
Overview
A tree fern with a large number of sub-species. Grows vertically up with new fronds unfurling regularly and old fronds being shed.
Seasonal Photos
N/A - looks the same year round
Care Instructions
Rough tree ferns are fairly robust provided they don’t dry out. The base can be mulched to support a moist environment, although I have not done this. Dead and dying fronds can be removed once or twice a year (although I find it will naturally shed these).
Plant History
Came with the house.
Personal Musings
There are lots of ferns around Blackheath in gullys. Some of them are really tall, which worries me as I like the size of the fern at the moment.
I like how ferns grow continuously upward and just discard their old branches underneath them. It’s almost algorithmic.
Also, ferns grow by spores. Which is really interesting to think about. For a flowering plant, it‘s kind of like living with a literal dinosaur right next to you.