Cyathea planadae
Cyathea planadae · Cyatheaceae
The gardener's calendar
Ideal time to plant cyathea planadae: set it out when the soil is neither frozen nor waterlogged, and water generously as it establishes.
ID card
- Type
- Tree fern
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Adult size
- Up to 10-12 m in height
- Growth
- Slow
- Hardiness
- Tropical, non-hardy
- Origin
- Central and South America
- Exposure
- Partial shade to full shade
- Soil
- Moist, well-drained, rich in organic matter
Care
Watering
Keep the substrate constantly moist without being waterlogged. Water regularly, especially during the growing season. Prefer soft, non-calcareous water; indoors, mist the foliage regularly to recreate tropical atmospheric humidity.
Light exposure
Place this fern in partial shade to full shade, as it would appreciate in a tropical forest. Avoid direct sun exposure, which burns the delicate foliage. Indirect, filtered light is ideal.
Fertilizing
Apply a light dose of diluted balanced fertilizer during the growing season (spring and summer), approximately every two months. Reduce or stop fertilizing in autumn and winter.
Soil and substrate
Use a mixture rich in organic matter: leaf mold, coconut fiber, perlite, and pine bark. Drainage must be excellent to prevent root rot while retaining moisture.
Pruning and cutting
Remove only dead or damaged fronds at the base of the plant. Do not prune severely; this fern grows slowly and regulates itself naturally.
Diseases and pests
Watch for mealybugs and spider mites, which thrive in dry air. Increase misting and ventilate regularly. Root rot is the main risk if watering is excessive; ensure good drainage.
Did you know?
Tree ferns like Cyathea planadae are survivors from the Cretaceous period, appearing over 200 million years ago. Their trunks are not wood in the classical sense, but a tangle of fibrous aerial roots that can persist for decades in humid tropical forests.
Where to buy it
Plant in spring or early autumn, avoiding spells of intense heat. Pick a plant with healthy foliage and roots that are not exposed. Best time: March, April, May, September.
Add this plant to my garden →Plants from the same family
- Sphaeropteris tomentosissimaSphaeropteris tomentosissima
- Soft tree fernAlsophila smithii
- Rough tree fernAlsophila australis
- Alsophila dealbataAlsophila dealbata
- Pedunculate oakQuercus robur
- BoxwoodBuxus sempervirens
Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.