In its natural habitat, Sphaeropteris excelsa is reported to reach 20 metres (66 ft) or more in height.

[3] The broad, lance shaped, bipinnate-pinnatifid to tripinnate fronds can reach 5 metres (16 ft)) in length.

The trunk can become smooth with age and may display oval scars left from fallen fronds.

During the summer months even a very young pot grown plant can consume 0.5 litres (0.13 US gal) of water per day.

Sphaeropteris excelsa requires good light but does best when shaded during the hottest parts of the day.

Larger plants may survive overnight temperatures as low as minus three degrees Celsius.