Australian Tree Fern Sphaeropteris cooperi
Previously known as:
- Cyathea cooperi
- Phonetic Spelling
- sfay-ROP-teris koo-PER-ee
- Description
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Native to Australia, this tree fern can reach heights upwards of 50 feet, with individual fronds reaching 10-20 feet in length. The form resembles a martini glass with gracefully arching fronds emerging from a skinny trunk. Commonly grown as a houseplant or as a tropical container specimen. Keep the trunk moist to maintain a healthy plant. Weedy tendencies.
VIDEO Created by NC State Extension's Homegrown series featuring Mark Weathington, Director of JC Raulston Arboretum.
- Profile Video:
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Sphaeropteris
- Species:
- cooperi
- Family:
- Cyatheaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Australia
- Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
- Heavy shade, Deer
- Dimensions:
- Height: 15 ft. 0 in. - 50 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 10 ft. 0 in. - 20 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Fern
- Houseplant
- Tree
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Arching
- Erect
- Growth Rate:
- Rapid
- Texture:
- Fine
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
- Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight)
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Loam (Silt)
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Available Space To Plant:
- 6-feet-12 feet
- 12-24 feet
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Description:
- No fruits. This plants reproduces via spores.
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Flowers:
- Flower Description:
- No flowers.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Rough
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Leaf Type:
- Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
- Fronds
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Other/more complex
- Leaf Shape:
- Oblanceolate
- Leaf Margin:
- Crenulate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Description:
- Large fronds that have a lacy appearance. The fiddle heads have stiff white hairs.
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Bark:
- Bark Description:
- Trunk is skinny has triangular-shaped scars from old fronds
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Houseplants
- Patio
- Pool/Hardscape
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Children's Garden
- Fairy Garden
- Shade Garden
- Design Feature:
- Accent
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Heavy Shade
- Problems:
- Weedy
