Plant care
Soft Tree Ferntemperature & humidity
Dicksonia antarctica
More about soft tree fern
Ideal temperature for soft tree fern
Temperature kills fewer soft tree fern plants than you'd think. What kills them is the micro-climate within a normal-temperature room — a leaf pressed against single-glazed winter glass, the hot dry updraft directly above a radiator, the cold blast from an AC vent. The thermostat reading at 5-24°C (41-75°F) is fine; the spot you put the plant in matters more. Below roughly 5°C growth pauses; cold beyond that pushes it into dormancy rather than killing it outright.
Cold tolerance & winter care
Soft Tree Fern is comparatively hardy (USDA 9-10 (marginal; needs winter crown protection at the cold end), RHS H4). Within that range it tolerates a cold dormant spell outdoors; outside it, grow it in a container you can move under cover or overwinter in a cool but frost-free spot. Hardiness assumes an established plant in well-drained soil — a wet, cold root zone kills far more plants than cold air alone.
Humidity for soft tree fern
Soft Tree Fern sits happiest at around 60-80% relative humidity. A high-humidity rainforest species. Mist the trunk and crown in dry spells; indoors it needs a consistently humid spot. Dry air browns the frond margins quickly. The usual low-humidity tell is crisp brown leaf tips and edges while the soil moisture is fine — a sign the air, not the watering, is the problem. If you need to raise it, the reliable methods are grouping plants together, standing the pot on a tray of damp pebbles (the pot above the waterline, never in it), or running a small humidifier in winter when indoor heating dries the air most. Misting is the least effective — it raises humidity for minutes, not hours.
Soft Tree Fern temperature & humidity — frequently asked questions
What temperature is best for soft tree fern?
Soft Tree Fern grows best between 5-24°C (41-75°F). Keep it out of cold draughts, off freezing windowsills in winter, and away from the hot dry air directly above radiators — the extremes matter far more than the average room temperature.
How cold can soft tree fern tolerate?
Soft Tree Fern starts to suffer below roughly 5°C. It tolerates a cold dormant period within USDA 9-10 (marginal; needs winter crown protection at the cold end), but a wet cold root zone is more dangerous than cold air.
What humidity does soft tree fern need?
Soft Tree Fern prefers about 60-80% relative humidity. A high-humidity rainforest species. Mist the trunk and crown in dry spells; indoors it needs a consistently humid spot. Dry air browns the frond margins quickly.
How do I raise humidity for soft tree fern?
Group it with other plants, stand the pot on a tray of damp pebbles (kept above the waterline), or run a small humidifier in winter. Misting only helps for a few minutes, so it is the weakest option for a plant that genuinely needs more humidity.
Can soft tree fern live outside?
Soft Tree Fern is rated for USDA zone 9-10 (marginal; needs winter crown protection at the cold end) and RHS hardiness H4. Within that range it can stay outdoors; outside it, grow it in a moveable container and protect the roots from a wet, cold winter.
More soft tree fern care
In the UK? Keeping soft tree fern warm in a UK home covers the radiator, single-glazing and heating-season humidity angle. Temperature and humidity are one piece. See the full soft tree fern care guide, its cold-hardiness guide, and watering schedule — humidity and watering problems are easy to confuse.