Cyathea spp.
scaly tree ferns
Tropical and subtropical regions worldwide
Overview
Cyathea spp. is a genus of roughly 470 tree ferns in the family Cyatheaceae, spread through tropical and subtropical forests of the Americas, Asia, Australasia, and the Pacific. Each plant builds a slender, fibrous trunk from a mass of roots and old frond bases, topped by a spreading crown of large, finely divided fronds that can reach several meters long. The stipes and unfurling croziers are clothed in scales rather than soft hairs, which separates Cyathea spp. from the hairy-stiped Dicksonia spp.. Trunks range from 3 to 65 feet (1-20 m) tall depending on species and age. The silver tree fern C. dealbata carries white undersides to its fronds. Most grow in moist, sheltered forest. As plants of constant humidity and shade, Cyathea spp. species are slow to form a trunk, demand steady moisture, and most are damaged by frost and drying wind.
Native Range
Native to tropical and subtropical regions worldwide, with concentrations in Southeast Asia, Australasia, the Pacific islands, and the cooler highlands of Central and South America. Plants grow in moist mountain forest, gullies, and forest margins.Suggested Uses
Grown in shaded tropical and subtropical gardens, fern gullies, courtyards, and large shade houses. The tall trunk and broad crown give an architectural, prehistoric look to damp, sheltered plantings.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height3' - 65'
Width/Spread6' - 20'
Bloom Information
As ferns, Cyathea spp. species produce no flowers. They spread by spores carried in sori on the frond undersides, which ripen through the warm, wet months and are released as powdery clouds.
Detailed Descriptions
Foliage Description
green, white beneath in some speciesGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 2-6 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight
Water & Climate
Water Needs
Time to Maturity
10-20 years to develop a trunk
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Cyathea spp. grows in bright shade to filtered light, with shelter from wind and frost. It needs constantly moist, acidic soil rich in organic matter, along with high humidity around the crown. The trunk and crown are kept damp, since the growing point at the top of the trunk dies if it dries out. Most species are hardy in USDA zones 9-11, with a few tolerating zone 8b. Light feeding during the warm season supports frond growth.Pruning
Only spent or browned fronds are removed, cut a few inches from the trunk to protect the crown. The fibrous trunk itself is never cut, as the single growing point sits at its top. Fallen scales and debris can be cleared from the crown.Container Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 15 gallons