The staghorn fern is a dramatic and unique plant and is among the world’s most striking epiphytes. If you have reached the stage in your gardening or house plant growing where you are ready to add something special this one is for you.
Please notice that this fern has some special features.
The plant grows from short rhizomes that produce not one, but two types of fronds. The sterile (non-reproductive) basal fronds are the rounded, overlapping, structures at the base of the fern. (The lower fronds.)
The flashy, big ‘antlers’ on top give the plant its name. The bigger the plant grows, the more impressive the buck becomes!
Its dramatic feature is the antler-like horns on the top of the plant. If you plant this in a tree near your house, you may have a problem with tourists!
Staghorn vs Elkhorn? The names are often used interchangeably but the true Elkhorn fern has more and smaller ‘antlers.’
For information regarding other tropical foliage plants read this.
What Do We Need To Know About The Staghorn Fern?
The Staghorn fern is a grouping of about 18 fern species in the Platycerium genus. The genus name comes from two Greek words that mean flat horn! (So, our common name ‘staghorn fern’ is very similar to the old name!)
They are members of the Polypodiaceae family, a fern family with about 65 genera. Polypod means having a lot of feet and refers to the fronds that protect the base of the ferns.
You will probably grow the species P. bigurcatum, it is the easiest one to grow and very ornamental. As the plant is a little harder to find than many ferns and a little more challenging to grow using this species is good advice. When you are shopping look for the name Platycerium bifurcatum.
Where Did We Get The Staghorn Fern?
The staghorn fern is native to the rainforests of Jarva, New Guinea, and southeastern Australia. Grow it where the year-round temperatures are above 40 degrees F. There are staghorn ferns that are cold tolerant and some live in a semi-desert environment. You will also find some cultivars. You can grow this plant in USDA plant hardiness Zones 9 and higher. It makes a fine houseplant and can go outdoors in the summer. The plant has naturalized in Florida and Hawaii (and in Hawaii, they consider it an invasive!)
There seemed to be some competition among plant hunters for naming rights for the fern. Here is a story about how complex things got when naming the Ridley’s fern.
What is an Ephiphyte?
Can You Name These Six Epiphytes?
An ephiphyte is a plant that does not grow in the normal way, from the soil, it grows on other plants. In the wild they are found on trees, which they use as a perch, not a source of food. Food, they get from air, water, and even debris around them. Ephiphytes don’t waste a thing!
You are more familiar with epiphytes than you realize, did you get the six above? (The answers are at the end.)
How To Care For A Staghorn Fern
Light: These ferns love bright, indirect light. Think dappled sunlight similar to what you’d find under a tree canopy. In the wild, these are upper canopy plants and will perform best in the brighter part of of your tropical plant grouping.
Watering: Soak the entire mount in water for about 15-20 minutes once a week, or when the root ball feels dry. Allow it to dry out between waterings to prevent rot.
Humidity: Staghorn ferns enjoy high humidity. Mist the fronds occasionally or use a humidifier if you’re growing them indoors.
Fertilizing: Feed monthly with a diluted, balanced fertilizer during the growing season. This encourages healthy growth and vibrant fronds.
Care: Let the shield fronds brown naturally—they protect the plant. Trim any dead or damaged antler fronds to keep the fern looking its best.
Do I Prune A Staghorn Fern? Prune very little, remove any torn or damaged fronds, cut off a frond if its too big and in the way. Treat this one passively. Excessive pruning can stress this plant.
What’s With The Banana Business?-Fern lovers feed them banana peels, a big one can consume four a month! It delivers potassium plus a little phosphorus and micronutrients. You can put the peel between the plant and the mount.
How to Mount and Display Your Staghorn Fern
In A Container
Small, young plants can be grown in pots if that is convenient for you. Remember, your goal is to duplicate their native conditions as much as possible. Use loose, well-draining soil; include sphagnum moss or shredded pine bark. This is an epiphyte, the plant will eventually be removed from the pot.
Mount It On A Board
Mount Your Plant on a Board: use wood, preferably a tropical wood or driftwood. Mount the whole thing on a wall. Note; when the plant gets big don’t take it from the board. Just mount the board on a bigger one and let it grow.
Use A Hanging Basket
Hanging Basket: Use a wire or coconut coir basket. This allows the fern to grow in all directions, giving it a more natural, wild appearance. Use a big basket for staghorn ferns, 14-18″ in diameter is best. Line the basket with about an inch of dampened sphagnum moss and fill the basket with a mix of bark chips, spagnum moss, and some potting mix. You will see extremely large staghorn ferns hanging from heavy chains from old oak trees in southern gardens. A garden center in our South Florida town has one roughly the size of a volkswagon. It’s quite an experience.
Put Your Staghorn Fern on a Wall Plaque
Wall Plaque: Mount the fern on a decorative plaque to create a statement piece. It brings a natural element and works great indoors or in shaded outdoor areas. You can use any wood you like, although I find cork or any tropical wood the most believable. You can also use a tree fern backing board, which is made from tree fern material. This is a labor saver because it holds moisture and has a textured surface. (I found plenty of choices available online.)
Grow it on a Tree!
Tree Trunk: Can you make a tree better? Well, you can enhance it by attaching your fern to a tree trunk or branch in your garden. Wrap some wet sphagnum moss around your plant and hold the plant and moss together with bird netting. Many growers tie it on with fishing line that they will remove in a few months. You can also use any strips of stretchy fabric which is safer if you are slow to remove it.
In the rainforest, the staghorn fern grows high in trees and gets more light than many other tropicals. Your tree planting has a natural feel and will mimic this native habitat.
Vertical Gardener? Add Your Staghorn Fern
A Vertical Garden: If you are planting a vertical garden, epiphyte plants are a great addition. Use some of your smaller staghorn fern pieces on your wall.
Staghorn Fern Makes an Ideal Kokedama
Kokedama: If you make kokedama (plants wrapped in green moss balls) the smaller staghorn ferns are great.
Growing Your Staghorn Fern Indoors
- Light: Staghorn ferns prefer bright, indirect light, such as from an east-facing window. They can tolerate more direct sunlight if the humidity and temperature are high, but too much direct sun can burn the leaves. Use a sheer curtain or blinds to protect the fronds from direct sunbeams.
- Water: Water your staghorn fern regularly, but allow the soil to dry out slightly between waterings. You can water by pouring water onto the moss around the roots or immersing the root ball in water for five minutes. You can also mist the plant every day or two to help keep it hydrated. Water more frequently in the summer and less frequently in the winter.
- Temperature: Staghorn ferns prefer warm temperatures between 50–100°F. They can tolerate freezing temperatures down to the mid-20s, but it’s best to move them indoors before nighttime temperatures drop into the 40s.
- Humidity: Staghorn ferns like high humidity levels, and we don’t! You can mist the plant every few days or run water over the leaves every 2–3 days. Keep your humidity-loving tropical plants all together. Trays of wet pebbles are helpful.
- Fertilizer: Fertilize your staghorn fern a few times a year in spring, summer, and early fall. You can use a balanced orchid fertilizer.
Staghorn Ferns In Action
Answer: The six epiphytes from left to right are:
- Bromeliad, 2. Orchid, 3. Bird’s Nest Fern, 4. Spanish Moss, 5. Tillandsia, 6. Staghorn Fern.
Summary,
Staghorn ferns (Platycerium spp.) are captivating plants, known for their antler-like fronds that bring a touch of the exotic to any space. Native to tropical regions, these epiphytic ferns thrive when mounted on wood, driftwood, or in hanging baskets, mimicking their natural growth in tree canopies. To mount a staghorn fern, secure its root ball using fishing line or wire, ensuring it’s firmly attached without being overly tight. Place it in a spot with bright, indirect light and maintain high humidity levels to replicate its tropical habitat.
Caring for a staghorn fern involves soaking the entire mount in water for about 15-20 minutes once a week, allowing the root ball to dry out between waterings to prevent rot. Regular misting or the use of a humidifier can help maintain the necessary humidity. Fertilize monthly during the growing season with a diluted, balanced fertilizer to encourage healthy growth. Shield fronds will naturally turn brown and should not be removed, as they protect the plant. With proper care, these unique ferns will flourish and become a stunning focal point in your indoor or outdoor garden
Happy Digging!