Growing Tree Ferns in the UK: How to Turn Your Garden into a Small Jurassic Rainforest

There are certain plants that quietly sit in the background of the garden doing their job without fuss. Lavender behaves itself. Geraniums flower energetically but politely. Hostas quietly feed the slugs and accept their fate. 

multi-stem tree ferns make a big impact

Tree ferns, however, are a completely different matter.

Plant one in your garden and suddenly things feel a little… prehistoric. The border that used to look mildly pleasant now resembles a lost valley from a dinosaur film. The garden becomes more dramatic, more lush, and somehow far more impressive. Visitors will wander around asking questions like, “Is that real?” and “Are we about to be eaten by a velociraptor?”

Tree ferns are ancient plants that have been around for hundreds of millions of years. They were already thriving when dinosaurs were stomping about and continents were drifting around like slow-moving icebergs. In other words, they have had a very long time to perfect the art of looking magnificent.

Surprisingly, many tree ferns grow extremely well in the UK. With the right conditions and a little winter protection, these remarkable plants can thrive in British gardens and provide an instant tropical atmosphere that makes even a damp corner of leafy Sussex feel faintly like the Amazon rainforest.

So let us explore how to grow tree ferns in the UK, which varieties are worth planting, and how to care for them without needing the gardening equivalent of a PhD in prehistoric botany.

What Exactly Are Tree Ferns?

Lets start with some basics, what are tree ferns? Well despite the name 'tree ferns' they are not trees. They are ferns that have developed an upright trunk, which botanists politely call a caudex.

one of my own Dicksonia unfurling in the spring

Unlike a normal tree trunk, which is made of wood, the trunk of a tree fern is actually a dense mass of fibrous roots and old frond bases. It is essentially a giant column of roots stacked on top of each other. Nature, it turns out, has some wonderfully unusual engineering ideas.

At the top of the trunk sits the crown, where the fronds emerge. In spring these fronds unfurl slowly in the classic fern fashion. Watching a tree fern unfurl in spring is one of the quieter pleasures of gardening. It happens gradually over several weeks, which gives you the strange feeling that the plant is slowly waking up after a long winter nap.

Which Ones Can I Grow?

Dicksonia antarctica

The tree fern most commonly grown in Britain is Dicksonia antarctica, often called the soft tree fern or the Australian tree fern.

This magnificent plant comes from the cool forests of Tasmania and southeastern Australia, where the climate is damp, mild, and pleasantly misty. If that sounds suspiciously like large parts of the UK, you are absolutely correct.

The trunk is thick and shaggy, covered in fibrous roots that give it a slightly hairy appearance. The fronds arch gracefully outward, often reaching two metres long in good conditions. When fully grown, the plant forms a beautiful umbrella of lush green foliage.

One of the most remarkable things about this species is how slowly it grows. In the UK it may add only two to five centimetres of trunk per year. That means a one-metre trunk may already be twenty or thirty years old when you buy it.

So when you see a large tree fern in a garden centre and you recoil at the price, remember that you are essentially buying a small piece of botanical history.

On the bright side, once planted it will probably outlive most of the other things in your garden, including the garden shed.

Although Dicksonia antarctica is the most reliable species, several other tree ferns can be grown successfully in the UK if you are willing to give them a little extra care.

Cyathea cooperi – The Fast Grower

the lacy tree fern

One of the most striking species is Cyathea cooperi, commonly known as the lacy tree fern.

Unlike Dicksonia antarctica, which grows slowly and steadily, Cyathea cooperi is the gardening equivalent of an enthusiastic teenager. In warm climates it can grow astonishingly fast, sometimes producing a metre of trunk in a single year.

In Britain it is less vigorous and slightly less hardy, but it still makes an impressive plant. The fronds are lighter and more feathery than those of Dicksonia antarctica, giving the plant a softer and more delicate appearance.

Because it is more sensitive to frost, it benefits from a sheltered position and careful winter protection.

Dicksonia squarrosa – The Clumping Tree Fern

the clumping tree fern

Another interesting species is Dicksonia squarrosa, a tree fern from New Zealand.

This plant behaves slightly differently from the typical single-trunk tree fern. Over time it produces multiple stems and small offsets around the base, eventually forming a colony.

In a woodland garden this can create a wonderfully natural look, as if the ferns have been quietly multiplying for decades.

It is a little less hardy than Dicksonia antarctica but still perfectly manageable in many parts of the UK.

Cyathea australis – The Rugged Australian

the rugged Australian tree fern

For gardeners who enjoy a mild sense of adventure, Cyathea australis is another species worth considering. This fern forms a tall trunk with dramatic fronds and can eventually become a very impressive specimen. It is not quite as tough as Dicksonia antarctica, but with winter protection it can grow successfully in sheltered gardens.

Think of it as the slightly high-maintenance cousin in the tree fern family.

Remember when you see a large tree fern in a garden centre and you recoil at the price, just consider that you are essentially buying a small piece of botanical history.

On the bright side, once planted it will probably outlive most of the other things in your garden, including the garden shed.

Choosing the Perfect Location

tree ferns are forest/woodland plants

Tree ferns naturally grow in forest environments where sunlight is filtered through taller trees. In the garden they prefer similar conditions: partial shade, protection from strong winds, and plenty of moisture. A north- or east-facing border is often ideal. Woodland gardens are perfect. Even a shaded corner near a fence or wall can work beautifully.

The key thing to avoid is strong, drying wind. Tree fern fronds may look dramatic waving in the breeze, but the plant itself does not appreciate being treated like a decorative flag.

Shelter makes a big difference, particularly during winter when cold winds can damage the crown.

Soil: Moist but Well Drained

tree fern planting

Tree ferns are fairly forgiving when it comes to soil, but they absolutely love moisture and organic matter.

When planting one, dig a generous hole and mix plenty of compost, leaf mould, or well-rotted manure into the soil. This improves water retention while also providing nutrients. Pre-packed stable manure from a garden centre is a good alternative if you can not get well rotted manure from a stables. 

If your soil is sandy, the extra organic matter will help it hold moisture. If it is heavy clay, then add some grit to the compost which will improve drainage. Either way, the fern will be happier.

The trunk should be planted firmly so that it stands upright without wobbling. Because roots will eventually grow from the trunk itself, keeping it stable is very important. Depending on the height of the trunk depends on the depth you need to plant the trunk but around  12-18" (30-45cm) is usually sufficient.

The Great Tree Fern Watering Ritual

Watering tree ferns can feel slightly strange at first. Instead of simply watering the soil around the plant, you should also pour water directly into the crown and over the trunk. This is because the fibrous trunk absorbs moisture and carries it down to the roots.

In warm weather a tree fern will happily drink several litres of water at a time.

If the weather is particularly dry, watering every few days is beneficial. During heatwaves it may even appreciate daily watering.

Think of it less as watering a plant and more as giving your fern a refreshing shower.

If your neighbours ask why you are watering what appears to be a hairy log, simply tell them it is a highly specialised horticultural technique.

Feeding Tree Ferns

Tree ferns are not especially greedy, but they do appreciate a little feeding during the growing season.

A mulch of compost applied in spring works wonderfully. It feeds the plant slowly while helping the soil retain moisture.

Liquid seaweed based fertilisers are excellent and can be, once diluted, poured directly into the crown. The main thing is not to overdo it. Tree ferns evolved long before garden centres started selling fertilisers in brightly coloured bottles. They are perfectly capable of surviving without turning into botanical bodybuilders.

Winter Protection: The Famous Tree Fern Coat

tree fern wrapping

Although many tree ferns tolerate mild frost, their crowns need protection during cold weather.

For Dicksonia antarctica, the usual method is simple. Unless you live in an exceptionally mild area, in late autumn pack the crown with straw, dry leaves, or horticultural fleece. This insulates the growing point where new fronds will emerge in spring.

During severe cold spells you can also wrap the trunk with fleece or hessian.

In very cold regions gardeners sometimes create elaborate winter outfits for their tree ferns. These constructions can make the plants look like enormous scarecrows or badly wrapped Christmas presents. While this may appear faintly ridiculous, it works surprisingly well.

And if your neighbours already suspect you are slightly eccentric, one more odd gardening habit probably will not make much difference.

Growing Tree Ferns in Pots

Tree ferns can also be grown in large containers, which is useful if your garden soil is unsuitable or if you want to move the plant to a sheltered position in winter.

Choose a very large pot and use a moisture-retentive compost. Because container plants dry out more quickly, regular watering becomes even more important.

Container-grown tree ferns are particularly effective on shaded patios where their dramatic fronds can create an instant tropical atmosphere.

Add a few ferns, hostas, and perhaps a large-leaved plant nearby and suddenly your patio will feel suspiciously exotic for somewhere that normally hosts a barbecue and a slightly rusty garden chair.

Propagation: A Test of Patience

Tree ferns reproduce using spores rather than seeds. These tiny spores form on the underside of the fronds and can be used to grow new plants. In theory this sounds wonderfully scientific.

In practice it is a slow, delicate process that requires humidity, sterile conditions, and a level of patience normally associated with monks copying medieval manuscripts.

Most gardeners therefore buy established plants instead.

Considering that tree ferns grow slowly anyway, starting from spores is very much a hobby for the deeply committed.

Pests and Problems

One of the nicest things about tree ferns is that they are rarely troubled by pests or diseases in the UK.

Slugs may nibble the young fronds occasionally, but serious damage is uncommon.

The main threats are drought and severe frost. If your tree fern starts to look unhappy, the first thing to check is whether it needs more water.

Nine times out of ten the plant is simply thirsty.

Creating a Lush Jungle Effect

Tree ferns look particularly impressive when planted alongside other shade-loving plants. Hostas, hardy ferns, bamboo, and large-leaf perennials all work beautifully. Together they create a lush, layered look that feels wonderfully exotic.

Within a few years the garden may develop a distinctly jungle-like atmosphere. Paths become shaded tunnels of foliage and quiet corners begin to resemble something from an adventure film.

You may even find yourself wandering outside with a cup of tea half expecting to hear tropical birds - Sadly it will probably just be the neighbour’s pigeon.

Why Tree Ferns Are Worth the Effort

Tree ferns are not the quickest plants to grow, and they do require a little care, particularly when it comes to watering and winter protection. But few plants bring the same sense of drama and atmosphere
to a garden. Their prehistoric appearance, elegant fronds, and slow steady growth give them a unique presence that ordinary shrubs simply cannot match. Over time they become living sculptures, quietly expanding year by year while the rest of the garden changes around them.

And perhaps the most charming thing about tree ferns is that they remind us how ancient the plant world really is. Long before lawns, borders, and garden centres existed, these plants were already thriving in misty forests. So when you plant a tree fern in your garden, you are not just adding another ornamental plant. You are inviting a small piece of prehistoric history to take up residence beside the patio. - Just keep an eye out for dinosaurs. They have been known to follow the ferns....

Happy tree fern growing and as usual if you have any questions please ask.

Geoff. 

Who am I? 

I'm a horticulturalist with over 40 years experience in the field. From running garden centres and nurseries growing plants for sale to now, well for the last 12 years, running my own gardening business I'm bringing my expertise to those who are interested. I receive no money or reward for my blogs so they're purely my own thoughts, ideas and experience - enjoy.

Blog 12/03/2026 Gardening By Geoff. - horshamgardener.blogspot.com

All information contained in this blog and all the others is purely the opinion of the author and should be taken with advisement. please read the legal disclaimer.  https://horshamgardener.blogspot.com/2025/12/sorry-boring-legal-stuff-updated.html