Dicksonia antarcticaDicksonia antarctica, the soft tree fern, is a slow growing tree fern with a fibrous brown trunk and a crown of arching, finely divided green fronds. The trunk lifts the fronds gradually over time, giving mature plants a clear fern tree outline. Grow it in bright shade to filtered light with humid air and humus rich soil that stays evenly damp while draining freely. The crown expands with age, so the plant needs space around the fronds and protection