Todea barbara
king fern
Eastern and southern Australia, New Zealand, southern Africa
Overview
Todea barbara is a large evergreen fern in the family Osmundaceae, forming a crown of arching fronds above a massive, slow-growing fibrous trunk or rhizome that can reach 3 feet (0.9 m) high and several feet across in old plants. The fronds are leathery and twice-divided, 2-6 feet (0.6-1.8 m) long and dark glossy green, arranged in a dense rosette. New fronds unfurl from the crown in spring, and the leathery older fronds persist for a year or more. Spore-bearing structures form on the undersides of the lower segments of fertile fronds rather than on separate stalks. Growth is very slow, with large specimens being many decades to centuries old. The plant grows in moist, shaded forest, along stream banks, and in seepage areas on acidic, humus-rich soils. The species needs constant moisture, shade, and shelter, and is damaged by drying winds, full sun, and hard frost. The heavy trunk and wide frond spread require a large, sheltered position.
Native Range
Native to eastern and southern Australia, including Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, Tasmania, and South Australia, and also found in New Zealand and southern Africa. Grows in moist eucalypt forest, fern gullies, and along streams and seepage lines on acidic, humus-rich soils.Suggested Uses
Planted as a feature fern in shaded, moist gardens, fern gullies, and courtyards sheltered from wind, given space for the wide frond spread. Used beside ponds and water features and in rainforest-style plantings. Grows in large containers in a shaded, sheltered spot kept constantly moist.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height2' - 6'
Width/Spread4' - 8'
Reaches mature size in approximately 20 years
Bloom Information
Ferns do not flower. New fronds unfurl from the crown in spring and early summer, and spores ripen on the undersides of fertile frond segments through summer. The crown stays green year-round in sheltered, moist positions.
Detailed Descriptions
Foliage Description
Dark glossy greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Tolerates up to 3 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
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Grow in deep shade to dappled light in constantly moist, humus-rich, acidic soil, as the species fails if the root zone dries. Plants need shelter from wind and full sun, which scorch the fronds. Growth is very slow, and the fibrous trunk builds up over many years. Mulch and a sheltered position help hold the steady moisture the fern requires. No serious pests or diseases affect the species in suitable conditions. Old fronds can be removed once they brown to keep the crown tidy.Pruning
Old or damaged fronds can be removed at the base once they brown, without cutting into the crown. No other pruning is needed. The slow-growing trunk is left intact, as it does not regenerate if damaged.Pruning Schedule
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
early spring
Container Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 15 gallons