Paco Fern

Botanical Name: Diplazium esculentum

Common Names: Paco Fern, Pako, Vegetable Fern, Fiddlehead Fern

Paco Fern is a highly prized edible fern native to Asia. It thrives in Perth’s warmer months when provided with plenty of shade and consistent moisture. Known for its delicate, crisp fiddleheads that taste similar to asparagus, it makes a brilliant addition to shade gardens, damp spots, or container growing.

Features:

Ideal prune height range: 0.8-1.5m

pH growing conditions: 5.5 to 6.5

Shade or full sun: Prefers full shade to light dappled morning sun

Minimum pot year 5: 15-20L pot

Time to fruit age: Produce tender fiddleheads within 1 year from establishing.

Paco Fern grows from underground rhizomes, producing bright green, feathery fronds. It loves humid conditions, moist, rich soil, and protection from Perth’s dry summer winds. Keep it well-watered near garden ponds, shady courtyard spaces, or under tree canopies.

Interesting Notes:
The young, unfurling fronds (fiddleheads) are eaten as a nutrient-dense vegetable across Southeast Asia. They are traditionally blanched, sauteed with garlic, or added to fresh salads and curries for a unique texture and flavor.

It functions as both an attractive ornamental garden fern and a productive shade-loving food source.

Limited stock. Pickup from Parkwood, WA. Delivery to Perth Metro only.

Keywords: Paco Fern, Diplazium esculentum, Pako fern, edible fern Perth, shade vegetable, rare food forest plant