Dagger Fern Plant Care

Dagger Fern (Lomatia silaifolia) belongs to the Proteaceae family within the Lomatia genus. Dagger Fern is native to eastern Australia. Dagger Fern is also known as Wollamia.

Dagger Fern displays a tall, upright shrub growth habit, reaching up to 6 ft tall with a spread of approximately 4 ft. Dagger Fern produces small clusters of white or pink flowers.

Leaf size: approximately 4 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Dagger Fern every 7–14 days, soaking the whole root zone, until it is established — usually one to two growing seasons. Established trees mainly need water during long dry spells. In a container, water whenever the top few centimetres of soil are dry.

Dagger Fern thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Lomatia silaifolia tolerates temperatures of 50–80°F. Dagger Fern prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.

Well-draining acidic soil mix with added sand and peat moss. Good drainage is essential for Dagger Fern to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Dagger Fern every 6 months during the growing season with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at the rate on the label. Established trees in good soil often need little extra feeding, so let weak growth or pale foliage guide you.

Stop feeding by late summer so new growth can harden before winter.

The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.

Choose a spot with full sun to partial shade and well-draining acidic soil mix with added sand and peat moss. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Dagger Fern is suited to USDA Zone 12a.

Plant container-grown or balled-and-burlapped trees in spring or early autumn, setting the root flare at soil level, and water well after planting.

Dagger Fern can spread to about 4 ft (1.2 m) and reach about 6 ft (2 m) tall. Space plants about 4 ft (1.2 m) apart so mature crowns don't crowd each other, and plant at least half that distance from buildings, fences and paths.

Planning a row or hedge? Try the tree spacing calculator.

Prune Dagger Fern while it is dormant in late winter: first remove dead, damaged and crossing branches, then thin lightly for shape.

If it flowers in spring, prune right after flowering instead so you don't remove next year's buds. Never take off more than about a quarter of the tree in one year.

Dagger Fern is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 12). In colder areas grow it in a container and move it to a bright, frost-free place before the first frost.

Dagger Fern can be propagated through seeds, semi-hardwood cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to tree lomatia plant care, which shares the same genus.

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Dagger Fern is susceptible to aphids, scale insects. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.

Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.

Dagger Fern grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Dagger Fern is native to eastern Australia. In cooler regions, grow Dagger Fern as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.