Staghorn fern

Platycerium bifurcatum · Family Polypodiaceae

Also known as: platycerium, elkhorn fern, antelope ears

Light: Partial shade to bright indirect
Watering: Every 5 days
Difficulty: Moderate
Pet-safe: Yes

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Care

Where to put it

Mounted on a board or in a hanging basket in a humid room.

Light

Partial shade to bright indirect light. Avoid direct sun.

Watering

Soak the mount or root ball when it feels dry, and mist between soakings.

About the plant

The staghorn fern is an epiphytic fern with fronds that look like antlers. It is grown mounted on wooden boards or in baskets. It looks sculptural hung on a wall or on a sheltered veranda.

Origin

Native to Java, New Guinea and eastern Australia, where it grows attached to tree trunks.

What it likes

Bright indirect light
High humidity
Being mounted on a board or log

What it dislikes

Direct sun
Soggy growing medium
Removal of the base fronds

Did you know?

It has two kinds of frond: shield-shaped base fronds that anchor it to its support, and fertile antler-shaped ones.