How to Grow Dicksonia
Dicksonia antarctica
Dicksonia is a prehistoric tree fern forming a thick fibrous trunk crowned with a rosette of large arching fronds. Plant in a sheltered, shady, humid position protected from wind. Water the trunk regularly in dry weather — it absorbs moisture through the trunk surface. Protect the crown in winter with straw or fleece. Remove dead fronds as they brown.
Yearly Lifecycle
Care Essentials
Apply a dilute liquid feed (half-strength balanced fertiliser) monthly during the growing season, watering it into the crown and down the trunk. Avoid getting granular fertiliser into the crown as it can burn the growing point.
Watch For
- Crown rot from waterlogging — ensure water drains away from the growing point
- Wind damage to fronds — site in a sheltered position
- Desiccation of trunk in dry spells — water the trunk, not just the soil
- Hard frost killing the growing point — protect below -5°C
Track your Dicksonia care schedule — pruning, feeding, and seasonal tasks
Start planning freeCare Requirements
☀️ Light
Partial to deep shade; avoid direct sun
Dicksonia prefers shade and shelter from wind. Full sun scorches the fronds and desiccates the trunk. A sheltered woodland garden, north or east-facing border, or the dappled shade of taller trees suits it best.
💧 Watering
Water the trunk and crown regularly; keep consistently moist
The trunk must stay moist — it absorbs water directly through its surface. In dry spells, pour water generously into the crown and down the trunk once or twice a week. Mulching around the base helps retain soil moisture.
🌱 Fertilizing
Monthly dilute liquid feed during growing season
Apply a half-strength balanced liquid fertiliser monthly from April to September, watering it into the crown and down the trunk. Avoid granular feeds in the crown as they can scorch the growing point.
✂️ Pruning
Remove dead fronds by cutting; never pull
Cut dead brown fronds cleanly at the base where they meet the trunk. Do not pull or tear them off. Leave the stubs — they become part of the trunk structure over time. Never remove green fronds even if they look untidy.
❄️ Overwintering
Protect crown with straw or fleece below -5°C; remove in spring
The growing point must not freeze. In autumn, pack the crown with dry straw or bracken and tie loosely in place. Below -5°C, additionally wrap the upper trunk with horticultural fleece. Remove all protection in spring once hard frosts have passed.
Growing Tips
Water the trunk, not just the soil
Dicksonia absorbs moisture through its trunk, which is composed of densely packed root material. In dry spells, pour water directly down into the crown and let it run down the trunk — this is more effective than watering the soil alone.
Never pull off fronds
Always cut dead fronds cleanly with secateurs or a sharp knife close to the trunk. Pulling or tearing fronds damages the trunk surface and can create entry points for disease.
Protect the crown in winter
The growing point is in the crown — if this freezes, the plant cannot recover. Pack the crown with dry straw or bracken in autumn and wrap with fleece below -5°C. Remove all protection promptly in spring to prevent rotting.
Choose a sheltered, shady position
Full sun scorches the fronds and dries the trunk rapidly. A sheltered woodland setting, north or east-facing wall, or the shade of taller plants suits dicksonia best. Wind is the main enemy — it desiccates fronds faster than the trunk can rehydrate.
Pests & Diseases
Pest Vine Weevil
Identification: Irregular notches eaten from frond margins by adult beetles at night. Cream grubs in the root zone can damage the base of the trunk if populations are large.
- Apply pathogenic nematodes (Steinernema kraussei) to the root zone in autumn when soil is above 5°C
- Inspect the crown and trunk base at night with a torch and remove adult beetles by hand
- Drench the root zone with imidacloprid or acetamiprid in spring
Pest Slug
Identification: Irregular holes and ragged edges on young emerging fronds in spring and summer. Slime trails visible in damp conditions.
- Apply ferric phosphate pellets around the base before new fronds emerge in spring
- Surround the trunk base with sharp grit or copper tape
- Apply metaldehyde pellets sparingly around the base
Disease Crown Rot Phytophthora spp. / various pathogens
Symptoms: Browning and collapse of emerging fronds from the crown outward. The crown itself may smell musty. Plant fails to produce new growth.
Treatment: Remove decaying material from the crown carefully. Allow to dry out slightly and improve drainage. There is no effective chemical treatment — prevention is essential.
Prevention: Never allow water to pool in the crown. Ensure excellent drainage at the planting site. In wet winters, tie a loose cover over the crown to reduce water accumulation.
Disease Frond Scorch Abiotic — sun or wind desiccation
Symptoms: Brown, crispy frond margins or entire fronds turning brown, especially on the outer or upper fronds. More common in summer during dry spells.
Treatment: Increase watering of the trunk and crown. Move container plants to a shadier, more sheltered position.
Prevention: Site in shade with shelter from wind. Water the trunk regularly in dry spells. A mulch around the base helps retain soil moisture.
Log Dicksonia in your garden — track growth, care, and harvests year after year
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