If you've been searching for the ultimate growing medium for your orchids, aroids and epiphytes, your search is over. New Zealand Tree Fern Fibre is the substrate of choice for serious growers around the world, and once you try it you'll understand why.
Sourced from the native Dicksonia fibrosa tree fern in New Zealand, this well draining fibre offers a unique combination of moisture retention and aeration that other substrates simply can't match. It holds water like a sponge while still allowing plenty of airflow to the roots, creating the perfect environment for plants that naturally grow on tree trunks in the wild.
Why Growers Love It
New Zealand tree fern fibre is more porous than alternatives from South and Central America. The natural capillary action wicks moisture evenly throughout the substrate, eliminating dry spots and soggy zones that can stress your plants. This means more consistent watering, healthier roots, and less guesswork for you.
Unlike bark mixes that break down quickly and need replacing, tree fern fibre is incredibly long lasting. It resists decay even in humid conditions, which means less frequent repotting and less disturbance to your plants' root systems. Many growers find they can simply pot on rather than fully repot, saving time and reducing transplant stress.
Perfect For
This versatile substrate works beautifully for a wide range of plants including Phalaenopsis, Dendrobium, Paphiopedilum, Oncidium, Cattleya and other orchid species. It's also exceptional for aroids like Philodendron, Anthurium and Monstera, as well as Hoyas, epiphytic ferns and other tropical houseplants. Use it on its own, blend it into your favourite potting mix, or use it to fill moss poles for climbing plants.
Propagation Power
Tree fern fibre has earned a reputation as one of the best substrates for propagation. The soft, airy texture encourages strong root development on cuttings while retaining enough moisture to keep them hydrated. Research indicates that tree fern fibre contains beneficial mycorrhizal fungi that can accelerate plant establishment and growth, giving your cuttings the best possible start.
Sustainably Sourced
This tree fern fibre is sustainably harvested from privately owned, reforested land in New Zealand under strict government regulations. No native forests or national parks are touched, and low impact harvesting methods ensure the forest floor remains undisturbed. New Zealand leads the world in protecting its natural resources, and this product reflects that commitment to environmental responsibility.
All tree fern fibre has been heat treated before entry into Australia to meet biosecurity requirements, ensuring it arrives clean and ready to use straight from the bag.
How to Use
Tree fern fibre can be used straight from the bag for orchids and epiphytes, or mixed with other components like perlite, bark and charcoal to create custom blends for aroids and tropical plants. It's also brilliant for filling Propsticks and moss poles, providing a long lasting, moisture retentive climbing surface that won't break down like sphagnum moss.
When watering plants in pure tree fern fibre, watch for the colour change from dark brown (wet) to light brown (dry) as your guide. The fibre holds moisture well, so you'll likely find yourself watering less frequently than with bark based mixes.
Please Keep in Mind
Tree fern fibre is a natural product and may vary slightly in texture between batches. Store unused fibre in a cool, dry place. For best results with orchids and epiphytes, combine with Growth Technology Orchid Focus at every watering for optimum nutrition, and use Rootzone every 2 to 4 weeks to support healthy root development.
LET'S TALK ABOUT HOW YOUR PLANTS GET TO YOU & HOW YOU CAN PICK THEM UP!
Alright, so here's the deal with shipping - we try our best to send all our plants potted and ready to go, but sometimes due to larger orders or when we're moving through some big changes, we'll send some plants semi-bare rooted. If you haven't come across this before, it basically means we carefully remove a bunch of the soil before packing them up. I know that might sound a bit scary if you've never ordered plants online before, but trust me, this is actually a really smart way to do it! The main reason we do this is because it creates so much more room in the box, which means we can fit way more plants in one shipment for you. More plants in one box = more green goodness arriving at your door at once! The plants honestly handle the journey better without all that heavy, wet soil sloshing around too. Just make sure you've got some fresh potting mix ready to go when your green babies arrive, because they'll want to get tucked into their new home pretty quickly!
Now, let's chat about what actually fits in our boxes. We can safely fit about 4-6 plants in one box, or if you're stocking up on supplies, one box can hold 3 bags of medium plus 1L of Growth Technology. We really don't recommend adding heavy items with your plants though - it just puts extra stress on your precious plants during transit and limits how many we can fit. If your order ends up being heavier than our standard box can handle, we'll reach out to you about additional postage fees. We're always transparent about costs, no sneaky surprises!
When Does Everything Ship Out?
Here's how our timeline works - we process and ship orders the week after you place them. So if you order on a Tuesday, your plants will get packed and sent out sometime the following week. We ship Monday through Friday (because let's be real, we all need weekends to recharge!), and we're aiming to get your order out within 4-6 business days of processing. Sometimes things take a tiny bit longer because we're a small but mighty team, and we take absolute care in making sure every single plant is packed perfectly. Like, we're talking individual attention for each plant here. We don't rush this stuff!
Once your order ships, you'll get an email with your tracking number. If you haven't received that tracking email, it just means we're still working on your order - it hasn't left us yet. Please be patient with us! We promise we're working as fast as we can while still making sure everything is done right. We pack orders in chronological order to keep things fair for everyone, so no one's getting special treatment or jumping the queue. First come, first served, that's how we roll!
The Journey to Your Doorstep
All our orders ship with Australia Post, and here's something cool - they operate 24/7! That means even if your order gets sent out on a Friday afternoon, it's still making its way to you over the weekend. The postal system doesn't sleep, and honestly, that's pretty amazing for getting plants to you quickly. You can generally expect your plants to arrive within 2-7 days after we ship them, depending on where you are in Australia. Metro areas tend to be quicker, regional spots might take the full week, but either way, your tracking number will keep you in the loop the whole time.
And here's the thing that always blows people's minds - our plants are absolute troopers. We've tested this extensively, and they can genuinely survive in their boxes for up to three weeks if needed. Obviously we don't want them sitting around that long, but life happens, mail gets delayed sometimes, and we want you to know that your plants are prepped and ready to handle whatever the postal system throws at them. While we do our best to avoid delays, occasional unforeseen circumstances may slightly impact delivery times, but rest assured, your plants are packed with extra care and are tougher than you think!
Quarantine States (WA, NT, TAS)
We currently only ship directly to non-quarantine states. Unfortunately, biosecurity restrictions make it pretty complicated to send plants to Western Australia, Northern Territory, and Tasmania. But don't worry, we've got a solution for you! If you're from a quarantine restricted state and would like to purchase plants from us, we recommend using Paradise Distributors' concierge service. They're absolute legends and can handle all the biosecurity paperwork and requirements for you. Make sure to contact them prior to purchasing so they can give you all the details and help you out: info@rareplants.net.au
Come Visit & Pick Up from the Greenhouse! (Rockdale)
If you're local or just love the idea of picking up your order in person, we've got you covered! Greenhouse collection from our Rockdale location is available the same week you make your purchase. Our opening hours are always changing, so make sure to check booking availability on our 'BOOK TO VISIT' page before purchasing. After you've paid for your order, just head over and book a time slot that works for you. You'll get to pick up your plants AND have a wander through the greenhouse while you're here, which honestly is such a vibe. Just please wear a mask if you're feeling unwell - it's a small space and we want to keep everyone safe and healthy!
PLEASE BE AWARE THAT WE DO NOT SHARE THE GREENHOUSE ADDRESS PUBLICLY BECAUSE ITS OUR HOME ASWELL AS BUSINESS, AFTER YOU BOOK YOU WILL RECEIVE AN EMAIL OR TEXT WITH OUR ADDRESS, IF THE GATE IS CLOSED ON ARRIVAL DON'T WORRY WILL BE RIGHT WITH YOU :) AND PLEASE NO BIG BOUNCY DOGS AS ITS A SMALL SPACE & PLANTS GET DAMAGED WITH HAPPY TAILS :)
Catch Us at Markets!
We do regular markets around Sydney and would love to meet you in person! If you'd prefer to skip shipping altogether and grab your order at one of our market stalls, just email us at info@growinggroundsaustralia.com and we can arrange collection at an upcoming market. It's a great way to chat plants face-to-face, see what else we've got on the day, and save on postage!
Questions? We're Here for You!
If you've got any questions about shipping, tracking, or literally anything else, please don't hesitate to contact us at info@growinggroundsaustralia.com. We love chatting with you guys and we're always happy to help troubleshoot, answer questions, or just talk plants!
Much love from the GG's Team 🌱
