Staghorn Fern / Elkhorn Fern
Platycerium bifurcatum
description
Staghorn Fern is an epiphytic fern with antler-shaped fronds that is often grown mounted.
benefits
- Low—light tolerant
- Pet-friendly, non-toxic to animals
- Suitable for containers
How to care for Staghorn Fern
sunlight
In nature, Staghorn Ferns grow on tree trunks beneath a bright, broken forest canopy. Give yours plenty of filtered light near a window, especially if it is mounted indoors.
Bright indirect light
Place it near an east window or a few feet back from a south or west window behind a sheer curtain. Gentle early morning sun is usually fine, but strong midday or afternoon sun can scorch the fronds.
watering
Water deeply, then let the root mass become almost dry before watering again. Staghorn ferns are epiphytes, so their roots need air as much as moisture. Soak a mounted plant or thoroughly wet its loose, airy mix, then let it drain completely.
Spring - summer
In active growth, water about every 5-7 days indoors. Water sooner if the moss or mix feels dry throughout and the mount feels light, especially in bright light, warmth, or dry air. Soak mounted plants for 10-15 minutes, then hang them up to drain.
Autumn - winter
In cooler or lower-light conditions, water roughly every 10-14 days. Check before watering: the moss should feel mostly dry and a potted plant's barky mix should be nearly dry, not damp at the center. Growth, light, temperature, humidity, and mounting material all shift the timing.
humidity
Preferred humidity
Staghorn ferns grow attached to trees in humid forests, so they appreciate moist air around their fronds. They usually tolerate a household humidity of about 40-50%, but grow best with steadier humidity above 50%.
How to increase humidity
- Keep it near other plants, away from heating vents, radiators, and air conditioning.
- Use a humidifier nearby in dry rooms, especially during the heating season.
- Do not rely on frequent misting alone - it gives only a brief boost and can leave the crown wet.
temperature
Preferred range
Winter minimum
Staghorn Fern grows on warm tree trunks in tropical and subtropical forests. Keep it comfortably warm year-round, with steady temperatures rather than hot or cold swings. It can handle brief warmth above 27°C (80°F) if humidity and airflow are good.
nutrition
March - August
Feed about every 4-6 weeks while new fronds are growing, using a balanced liquid houseplant fertilizer at one-quarter to one-half strength. Apply it during a watering or soak. Stop feeding in winter, or when growth has slowed.
Nitrogen
Nitrogen supports healthy green fronds. A gently diluted balanced fertilizer provides enough without forcing soft, weak growth.
soil
Loose, airy mounting medium
Staghorn Fern is an epiphyte, so its roots need air as much as moisture. Grow it mounted in long-fiber sphagnum moss, or in a slatted basket with coarse orchid bark and moss, rather than dense potting soil.
pH 5,5 - 6,5
This is slightly acidic, like the damp bark and leaf litter where it grows naturally. Fresh sphagnum moss and most orchid bark mixes usually suit it well without adjustment.