Sphaeropteris cooperi aka Cooper's Cyathea

Taxonomy

Sphaeropteris cooperi, also known as lacy tree fern, scaly tree fern, or Cooper's tree fern, is a medium-to-large fast-growing tree fern native to Australia, specifically found in New South Wales and Queensland. It can reach a height of up to 15 meters (49 ft) with a slender stem and a trunk that can grow to be 12 inches (30 cm) thick. The apex of the trunk and unfurling crosiers are adorned with long, silky, straw-colored scales, adding to its visual appeal. The crown of this fern is wide-spreading, and its mid-green fronds can grow up to 4-6 meters (13-20 ft) in length. It is worth noting that there is an extremely rare variation of this fern with pale pink coloration and an orange stripe down the middle, which has a high value of around 2,000 dollars.

Common names

Cooper's Cyathea, Australian Tree Fern, Scaly Tree Fern

How to care for Cooper's Cyathea

Difficulty

Caring for Cooper's Cyathea is a breeze, as it is highly adaptable and forgiving to minor neglect.

Water

Cooper's Cyathea should be watered regularly, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.

Soil

Cooper's Cyathea loves a well-draining soil. Perlite and vermiculite help with drainage, while coco coir adds organic matter, so a good potting soil mix will have all three. You can improve store-bought soil by adding some perlite to it.

Lighting

To ensure optimal growth, the Cooper's Cyathea prefers bright indirect light for 6-8 hours each day. Insufficient light can result in slow growth and leaf drop, so it's important to find a well-lit location for this plant. Place it near a window, within a distance of 1 meter (3 feet), to enhance its potential for thriving.

Dormancy

During the cold period, it is common for Cooper's Cyathea to go dormant, resulting in a slowdown of growth. To accommodate this, waterings should be spaced out more.

Toxicity

Ploi lacks confirmed information on the toxicity of this plant. If you, a relative, or your pet accidentally consume plant material with unknown toxicity, it's best to consult a medical expert.

Growth-pattern

New growth will sprout from the top of the Cooper's Cyathea as it grows vertically.


More info:
Wikipedia