Cyathea cooperi - L

About the Cyathea cooperi - L

Cyathea cooperi is a fast-growing, evergreen tree fern with a slender trunk and a broad crown of fresh green, finely divided fronds. Its gracefully arching fronds give the plant an airy, tropical appearance. As older fronds fall, they leave characteristic oval leaf scars on the trunk.

In size L, this Australian tree fern makes a striking foliage plant for a spacious, bright indoor environment, conservatory or heated greenhouse. During warm, frost-free periods, it can also be grown as a container plant in a sheltered outdoor position. Its relatively rapid growth means that it requires sufficient space, high humidity and an evenly moist root ball.

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Characteristics

Origin: The species is native to eastern Australia, primarily Queensland and New South Wales. It grows there in moist, warm and sheltered parts of coastal forests and subtropical rainforests.

Family: Cyathea cooperi belongs to the Cyatheaceae, the tree fern family. Its currently accepted botanical name is Sphaeropteris cooperi, although the species is still widely sold in the plant trade as Cyathea cooperi.

Position: Indoors, place the plant in a bright position with clear, filtered light. Outdoors, during warm and frost-free periods, it grows best in a sheltered position in partial shade. Protect the fronds from intense midday sun, cold draughts and dry winds.

Height: Under ideal, consistently warm and humid conditions, this tree fern can reach approximately 5 metres in cultivation. It usually remains considerably more compact in a container and in the climate of the Netherlands and Belgium. In its natural habitat, the trunk can eventually reach a greater height.

Flowering period: Not applicable. Tree ferns do not produce flowers but reproduce by means of spores that can develop on the undersides of sufficiently mature fronds.

Flower colour: Not applicable, as this tree fern does not produce flowers. Its ornamental value comes from the fresh green fronds, young coiled fronds and scaly trunk.

Hardiness: Cyathea cooperi is not reliably winter hardy in the Netherlands or Belgium and must be protected completely from frost. It is best overwintered in a bright, humid position at a minimum temperature of approximately 10°C.

Soil type: Use a humus-rich, airy and well-drained potting mix that retains sufficient moisture. A mixture containing organic material and an airy drainage component prevents the roots from remaining in wet, oxygen-poor soil for extended periods.

Care

Light: Provide plenty of bright, indirect light or filtered sunlight. Avoid prolonged exposure to intense midday sun, as this can bleach or scorch the fronds. Gradually acclimatise a plant that has been kept indoors before placing it outside.

Water: Keep the potting mix consistently and evenly moist without allowing water to remain at the bottom of the container. Never allow the root ball to dry out completely. During warm and dry periods, the trunk may also be kept lightly moist, but avoid allowing water to remain in the growing point, especially during winter.

Fertiliser: Apply a diluted, balanced liquid plant fertiliser monthly during the active growing season, following the dosage instructions on the packaging. Apply fertiliser only when the potting mix is sufficiently moist. Reduce or stop feeding when growth slows during winter.

Pruning: Formative pruning is not required. Remove only completely dried, damaged or dead fronds close to the trunk. Take care not to damage the growing point in the centre of the crown, as this is where new fronds emerge.

Repotting: Check the plant every spring and repot it when the roots fill the container or the plant is no longer sufficiently stable. Use a slightly larger, sturdy container with good drainage and do not plant the trunk any deeper than it was previously.

Humidity: High humidity is important for healthy frond development. Protect the plant from dry heated air and hot, drying winds. Brown frond edges may develop when humidity is too low or the root ball does not remain sufficiently moist.

Special features: Cyathea cooperi generally grows faster than many other tree ferns and can produce several large fronds each year when well cared for. The old stalks leave recognisable oval scars on the slender trunk after falling. The plant remains evergreen when overwintered in warm, frost-free conditions.