Complete Guide To Staghorn Fern Care and Growth

Quick Overview

Staghorn ferns, genus Platycerium, are tropical epiphytes native to Australia, Southeast Asia, Africa and South America. There are 18 recognized species, with P. bifurcatum being the most commonly grown as a houseplant.

These plants are called staghorn ferns because their arching, branching green fronds resemble the antlers of male deer. Other common names include elkhorn fern and antelope ears.

Staghorn ferns have two distinct frond types:

• Shield fronds – Round or kidney-shaped green leaves that form a base around the plant’s roots. They eventually turn tan and papery.
• Antler fronds – Long, deeply lobed leaves up to 3 feet long that emerge from the center of the shield fronds. They are reproductive fronds, bearing spores on their undersides.

In nature, staghorn ferns grow on the sides of trees and rocky outcrops. They require no soil, absorbing water and nutrients through their fronds and roots. These epiphytic origins make staghorn ferns perfect candidates for mounting on boards or plaques on walls. Their exotic shapes lend a dramatic, sculptural element to indoor and outdoor spaces.

While they require some specialized care, staghorn ferns are not extremely difficult houseplants if their basic needs are met. Their slow growth and resilience make them ideal long-term additions to any plant collection.

👉 Read our Outdoor care guide for more information.

How much light does a Staghorn Fern need?

Staghorn ferns prefer bright, filtered light similar to that found beneath the rainforest canopy.

Indoors Place staghorn ferns in east, west or south facing windows where they will receive plenty of indirect sunlight. For a deeper dive into their specific needs, consult our Staghorn Fern Light Requirements guide. North facing windows can work if they are unobstructed and bright. Use sheer curtains to prevent harsh direct sun from damaging the fronds. Rotate the plant periodically so all sides receive light.

Outdoors Hang staghorn ferns under a porch or tree where they will be shaded from direct sun but still receive ample ambient light. Early morning or late afternoon sun is tolerable if the plant has sufficient moisture.

Light PRO Tips

How to Water a Staghorn Fern

Staghorn ferns prefer consistent moisture but also require excellent drainage. Their specialized watering routine is what intimidates many growers. Master this aspect by following our detailed Staghorn Fern Watering guide. Follow these tips for success:

• Water about once a week in the growing season, less often in winter. The growing medium should be allowed to partially dry out between waterings.
• Thoroughly drench the entire plant when watering – spray fronds, shield leaves and growing medium. Rainwater or distilled water is best.
• Remove the plant from its mount and soak upside down in room temperature water for 15–20 minutes to fully saturate the roots and base. Allow to drain completely before re-hanging.
• Mist the fronds daily or several times per week to increase humidity around the foliage. Use room temperature distilled water.

Troubleshooting Water Issues

• If fronds blacken at the base, reduce watering frequency.
• If tips brown or curl, increase watering.
• Outdoor plants will need more frequent watering, especially in hot, dry weather. Check soil moisture frequently.
• Adequate humidity and air circulation are also critical to avoid problems. Keep plants away from AC vents and heaters that can dry them out. Bathrooms provide ideal humidity if illuminated sufficiently.

Do Staghorn Ferns Need Soil?

Best Growing Mediums

The best potting mix options include:

• Sphagnum moss
• Peat moss
• Coconut coir
• Orchid bark

Mounted specimens: Use a handful of moss, coconut coir, orchid bark or fern fiber pressed around the roots. This will be obscured by shield fronds over time.

Drainage & Repotting Tips

• Whatever medium you use, it should retain some moisture but still allow excess water to rapidly drain to prevent rotting.
• Add extra perlite or orchid bark to increase drainage if needed.
• Repotting is rarely necessary unless the roots have outgrown their container. Staghorn ferns can be left mounted on the same plaque for many years.

How to Feed a Staghorn Fern

Feed actively growing staghorn ferns with a balanced liquid fertilizer diluted to half strength every 2–4 weeks during the spring and summer. Any houseplant fertilizer will work, as long as it provides equal parts nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. Even common products like Miracle-Gro can be suitable if heavily diluted. For a detailed guide on fertilizer types and application methods for Staghorn Ferns, see our comprehensive article.

Reduce feeding frequency to once a month or less in fall and winter when growth slows.

Natural Fertilizer Tips

Ideal Temperature Range

Indoor Care During Cold Weather

Keep your staghorn fern in the warmest, brightest room in your home. Avoid drafty areas. Move plants growing outdoors into a sunny location indoors before temps drop below 50°F (10°C) at night.

If you don’t have a suitable warm spot indoors during winter, a heated greenhouse or bright bathroom will suffice temporarily. Growth may slow until spring.

Humidity Requirements for Staghorn Ferns

Humidity is vital for lush staghorn fern growth. Ideal indoor humidity levels are 40–60%. In drier environments, take these steps to increase moisture around your plant:

• Place pots on pebble trays filled with water
• Mist fronds frequently with room temperature distilled water
• Run a humidifier nearby
• Grow staghorn ferns in bathrooms
• Place plants under larger houseplants to benefit from their transpiration

Outdoor Humidity Considerations

Do staghorn ferns flower?

Are there different varieties of staghorn ferns?

The staghorn fern genus includes around 18 different species, ranging in size from small, compact plants to large specimens that can reach up to 3 feet tall and wide. The most popular species of staghorn ferns include:

Explore them all in our guide to Staghorn Fern Varieties.

Platycerium bifurcatum (Common staghorn fern)

P. veitchii (Silver or elf staghorn fern)

P. hillii (Green staghorn fern)

P. superbum (Superb staghorn fern)

P. alcicorne (Elkhorn fern)

Rare Species

Pests That May Affect Staghorn Ferns

Staghorn Ferns are generally quite resistant to pests, but they can occasionally be affected, especially when grown indoors where air circulation may be lower.

• Scale Insects - This is the most common pest for Staghorn Ferns. They appear as hard, rounded brown or black bumps attached firmly to the fronds. They can be scraped off manually or treated with horticultural oil.
• Mealybugs - These white, cottony insects hide in the crevices between the shield fronds and the mounting plaque, as well as on the undersides of antler fronds.
• Spider Mites - Less common due to the fern’s preference for humidity, but they can appear in dry environments, causing fine webbing and a dusty look on the fronds.
• Aphids - May sometimes be found on the tender new tips of the antler fronds.
• Whiteflies – Tiny, moth-like insects that fly up in a cloud when the plant is disturbed. They cluster on the undersides of leaves to suck sap, leading to yellowing and sticky residue. Use yellow sticky traps and insecticidal soap to control them.

Isolate and treat infested plants promptly. Maintaining good air circulation and appropriate humidity is the best prevention.

Outdoor Pest Concerns

Troubleshooting Staghorn Fern Issues

Understanding the two types of fronds (the round, basal shield fronds and the branching antler fronds) is key to diagnosing problems with a Staghorn Fern.

• Brown or Black Spots at the Base - This is the most dangerous sign. Blackening on the shield fronds indicates overwatering and the onset of Root Rot. The mounting medium is being kept too wet and is suffocating the roots. Allow the plant to dry out much more thoroughly between waterings.
• Brown, Crispy Edges on Antler Fronds - A classic symptom of low humidity or underwatering. The antler frond tips are the first to show signs of dryness. Increase humidity or adjust your watering schedule to be more frequent or thorough (e.g., soaking the mount).
• Wilting & Drooping - The antler fronds will look limp and feel soft. This is a clear sign of thirst. The plant needs a deep, thorough watering.
• Yellowing Leaves - Can be caused by overwatering, underwatering, or too much direct sunlight. If these conditions are corrected and the plant still shows poor vigor or persistent yellowing, it may indicate a magnesium deficiency. In these specific cases, some growers supplement with Epsom salt, used very cautiously to provide a boost. Note: It is normal for the round shield fronds at the base to eventually turn brown, dry, and papery as new green ones grow over them. This is a healthy part of the plant’s life cycle and these brown fronds should not be removed.
• Stunted Growth - If your fern isn’t producing new shield or antler fronds during the growing season, it may be due to insufficient light or a lack of nutrients. Ensure it’s in a location with bright, indirect light.
• Sunburn or Leaf Scorch – Appears as large, bleached, white, or crispy brown patches on leaves exposed to too much direct sunlight. This is damage from intense light and heat, not a disease.
• Nutrient Deficiency – Can manifest as slow or stunted growth, pale or yellowing leaves, and a general lack of vigor. It indicates the plant has exhausted the available nutrients in its soil and requires feeding with a balanced fertilizer.

Creative Ways to Display Staghorn Ferns

Staghorn ferns rarely produce viable spores indoors, so propagation is usually done through division. Learn the methods in our Staghorn Fern Propagation guide:

1. Carefully separate offsets or pups from around the edges of the parent plant using a sharp, sterile knife or shears. These offshoots will have their own attached roots and fronds.
2. Dust any cut surfaces with cinnamon to prevent rot. Allow divisions to dry out for 2–3 days before mounting or potting up.
3. Mount smaller divisions onto bark or wood plaques wrapped with a little moist sphagnum moss or orchid bark around the roots. Larger divisions can be hung directly into baskets.
4. Keep newly divided ferns warm (above 60°F/15°C), humid, and out of direct sun while establishing. Mist frequently and check soil moisture daily. Once new growth appears, resume normal care.

With a steady supply of offsets, you can propagate numerous new staghorn ferns for yourself or to give as gifts! Each division will eventually grow into an impressive specimen like the parent plant.

Creative Ways to Display Staghorn Ferns

Staghorn ferns are ideal displayed as living works of art and add an exotic accent to any space. Here are some creative ideas:

• Mount on a weathered slab of wood or piece of natural bark for a natural look. Hang on the wall or place on a pedestal.
• Create a lush wall display by mounting several plants of various sizes on a large sheet of plywood.
• Adorn with twinkle lights or mount over LED strip lighting for a fun look.
• Pair with other epiphytes like orchids or bromeliads on a decorative wreath frame.
• Suspend from macrame hangers or rope for a bohemian vibe.
• Place smaller specimens in sea urchin shells, hanging glass terrariums, or decorative wire baskets.
• Group staghorn ferns with other low light plants like philodendrons and pothos on bookshelves or the top of cabinets to create an indoor jungle effect.

Let your imagination run wild when displaying these gorgeous epiphytes! Their uniquely branching shape works beautifully as a living sculpture in both traditional and eclectic spaces.

Expert Tips for Thriving Staghorn Ferns

• Mount staghorn ferns on moveable plaques or lightweight backing so you can easily take them down for watering and providing care.
• Use ferns mounted on bark or wood slabs as decorative table centerpieces for events before re-hanging on the wall.
• Grow miniature staghorn fern species like P. veitchii or P. hillii in hanging glass terrariums or display like bonsai in sea urchin shells.
• Increase local humidity by grouping staghorn ferns among other tropical plants with high transpiration.
• Avoid temperature swings and drafts which can shock plants and cause frond damage or loss – keep indoor climates as stable as possible.
• Grow young plants in airy potting mix first before transitioning larger specimens to mounted culture permanently.
• Let tap water sit out overnight before applying to allow chlorine and salts to dissipate, as these can burn sensitive fern foliage.
• Don’t over-fertilize – twice a month is sufficient for these slow-growing epiphytes.
• For advanced tips on maximizing growth, see our guide on how to make your staghorn fern grow faster.

Cleaning Your Staghorn Fern

How long do staghorn ferns live?

Do staghorn ferns need to be pruned?

How fast do staghorn ferns grow?

Can you grow staghorn fern outside?

Should I mount my staghorn fern or keep it potted?

Do staghorn ferns purify air?

Are staghorn ferns invasive?