Welcome to the Staghorn Fern care guide. Caring for staghorn ferns properly is key to keeping these exotic plants healthy. With their unique antler-like fronds, staghorn ferns require specialized care compared to most houseplants. This comprehensive guide provides everything you need to know about staghorn fern care and successfully grow these striking epiphytes for decades in your home or garden. Their branched fronds resembling deer antlers make staghorn ferns popular yet somewhat intimidating.
With proper light, water, humidity and growing conditions though, these beauties can thrive for years and lend a dramatic, wild element wherever displayed. This guide covers all aspects of staghorn fern care along with tips for ideal growth and problem solving. Follow these recommendations and your staghorn ferns will remain a vibrant, lasting addition to any indoor plant collection or outdoor tropical garden.
👀 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 makes them ideal long-term additions to any plant collection.
| 📖 Common name | Staghorn Fern, Elkhorn fern |
| 🔬 Botanical name | Platycerium bifurcatum |
| 🫴 Care Difficulty level | Moderate |
| ☠️ Toxicity | Non-toxic to pets and humans |
| 💨 Air-purifying Qualities | Moderate |
| 🌱 Soil Type and pH | Epiphytic mix, slightly acidic to neutral |
| ☀️ Sun Exposure | Bright, indirect light |
| 🍪 Edibility | Not edible |
| 🌴 Plant type | Epiphytic Fern |
| 🍃 Foliage Type | Evergreen |
| 🌿 Color of leaves | Green |
| 🌸 Flower color | N/A |
| 💥 Bloom time | Rarely blooms |
| 🚀 Growth Speed | Moderate |
| 📏 Mature Size | Up to 3 feet |
| 🔄 Life Cycle | Perennial |
| 🌍 Hardiness zones | 9-12 |
| 🗺️ Native area | Australia, New Guinea, and Indonesia |
💚 Staghorn Fern Care
Caring for a staghorn fern involves providing the right amounts of light, water, humidity, air circulation, and warmth. While they demand more attention than a typical houseplant, their unique beauty makes it worthwhile. Follow these tips to keep your staghorn fern healthy and vibrant for years to come.
☀️ Light ☀️
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. 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.
Insufficient light will cause fronds to droop and decline. If keeping a staghorn fern happy indoors during winter is difficult, you can move it to a bright bathroom or greenhouse until spring. Supplement with a grow light if necessary.
💧 Water
Staghorn ferns prefer consistent moisture but also require excellent drainage. Their specialized watering routine is what intimidates many growers. 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.
- 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.
🪴 Soil
Staghorn ferns are epiphytes, meaning they absorb moisture and nutrients through their leaves and roots – soil is not necessary for their survival. However, they need an absorbent, quick-draining growing medium to anchor the roots.
The best potting mix options include:
- Sphagnum moss
- Peat moss
- Coconut coir
- Orchid bark
- Mounted specimens: A handful of moss, coconut coir, orchid bark or fern fiber pressed around the roots. This will be obscured by shield fronds over time.
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.
🍼 Fertilizer
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.
Reduce feeding frequency to once a month or less in fall and winter when growth slows.
If desired, you can also provide periodic snacks of banana peel buried near the base or rice water sprayed on the fronds and roots. These provide supplemental potassium and nutrients.
🌡️ Temperature
Staghorn ferns prefer warm temperatures between 60-80°F (15-27°C), with a minimum around 50°F (10°C). They can tolerate brief exposure to freezing temperatures.
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
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.
Outdoors, regular rainfall and mist will provide adequate humidity. Just take care not to overwater.
📃 Types of Staghorn Fern
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:
Platycerium bifurcatum (Common staghorn fern)
This hardy species from Australia and Southeast Asia is the most common. It has divided erect or drooping antler fronds up to 3 feet long and rounded shield fronds. It readily produces offsets for propagation.
P. veitchii (Silver or elf staghorn fern)
A compact species 12-18 inches high with beautiful powdery blue-green leaves. It grows slower than P. bifurcatum but is more tolerant of sun. Found from Southeast Asia to New Guinea.
P. hillii (Green staghorn fern)
Similar to P. bifurcatum but with brighter green, broader fronds. It has excellent heat tolerance and is a good choice for tropical gardens. Native to Queensland, Australia.
P. superbum (Superb staghorn fern)
This large Australian species has huge antler fronds that can reach 6 feet long! The shield fronds stand stiffly erect to catch falling leaves and detritus. More challenging to grow and slower than other species.
P. alcicorne (Elkhorn fern)
A widespread tropical species with large, decorative fronds divided into blunt, antler-like lobes. Prefers shade and high humidity. Found across Asia, Australia and Africa.
There are also many rare, exotic staghorn ferns to discover like P. andinum, P. grande and more. Track these down to add unique specimens to an indoor fern collection.
Blooming, Flower
Staghorn ferns do not bloom or produce flowers. They reproduce via spores formed on the undersides of the antler fronds rather than seeds.
The branched antler fronds are technically fertile fronds that generate reproductive spores. These spores appear as brown, fuzzy patches near the tips of the lobes.
Tiny, short-lived gametophytes subsequently develop from the spores and generate sperm and eggs. When fertilized, the eggs grow into new baby sporophyte ferns.
The sporophyte is the “adult” fern plant we are familiar with. After many years, this plant will produce its own spores and continue the life cycle.
While interesting from a scientific standpoint, the reproductive cycle of staghorn ferns is of little ornamental value. Their beauty lies in the striking foliage.
🪴 Potting and Repotting Staghorn Fern
Mounted staghorn ferns: Specimens attached to plaques, bark or driftwood do not require repotting. The fern roots will cling to the mount and small pockets of moss, requiring no soil.
Over many years, you can attach the original mount to a larger board or background as the plant grows to give the roots more room. Use pliable wire, fishing line or plant velcro straps to securely attach over the shield fronds (not the living fronds, which will be damaged).
Potted staghorn ferns: Young plants may be potted in an airy mix amended with orchid bark, perlite or fern fiber. Repot every 2-3 years in spring if roots become crowded. Go up just one pot size to avoid overpotting. Divide congested root balls if needed.
Ensure pots have drainage holes and use a potting mix that retains some moisture but still drains quickly. Mount on a plaque or basket once mature size is reached.
✂️ Pruning Staghorn Fern
Remove dead or damaged antler fronds by cutting at the base. Sterilize pruning shears before each cut.
Never remove healthy shield fronds. They may look dead when brown and shriveled but still serve an important role protecting the plant’s roots. The shields can persist for many years before falling away naturally. New green shields will emerge underneath to replace them.
Outdoors, trim any adjacent foliage or branches shading the staghorn fern or impeding air movement. This is especially important for specimens mounted on tree trunks.
🌱 How to Propagate Staghorn Fern
Staghorn ferns rarely produce viable spores indoors, so propagation is done through division:
- 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.
- Dust any cut surfaces with cinnamon to prevent rot. Allow divisions to dry out for 2-3 days before mounting or potting up.
- 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.
- 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.
🐛 Common Pests
Staghorn ferns are generally resistant to most indoor plant pests. However, they may sometimes encounter:
- Mealybugs – Cottony insects that congregate in leaf axils and joints. Wipe away with alcohol or treat with insecticidal soap.
- Scale – Hard, rounded shells attached to leaves. Scrub off manually or use horticultural oil.
- Aphids – Green, red or black pear-shaped insects that feed on sap. Knock off with a strong spray of water or apply neem oil.
- Mites – Tiny red or black dots on foliage. These indicate spider mites. Apply insecticidal soap regularly.
Isolate and treat infested plants promptly to prevent pests from spreading. Remove any severely damaged fronds. Maintain vigor with proper growing conditions and nutrition.
Outdoors, staghorn ferns may be affected by snails, slugs or caterpillars. Pick these off by hand.
🩺 Common Problems With Staghorn Fern
Brown leaf tips
This results from insufficient humidity. Mist frequently and move the plant to a more humid location. Add a pebble tray. Reduce air conditioning use near the plant.
Blackened leaf bases
Signifies overwatering. Allow the growing medium to dry further between waterings. Reduce irrigation frequency.
Drooping or wilted fronds
Can indicate dehydration from underwatering, or heat/light stress. Check soil moisture and water thoroughly if dry. Move to a shadier, cooler location if needed.
Brown spots on fronds
Fungal leaf spots are common. Improve air circulation and reduce watering frequency/duration. Avoid wetting foliage. Apply a fungicide if spots persist.
White crusty deposits on leaves
Hard water or fertilizer residues. Wipe leaves gently with a damp cloth and avoid wetting foliage when watering. Use distilled or rainwater.
With proper care, most issues can be avoided and staghorn ferns will thrive for years. Observe your plant frequently for early signs of distress, and make adjustments as needed.
🖼️ Display Ideas
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.
👍 Pro Tips for Healthy Growth
- 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.
❓ FAQ
How long do staghorn ferns live?
With proper care, staghorn ferns may live 50 years or longer. Plants grown outdoors in tropical conditions can grow quite massive and may persist for centuries. Indoor plants will live for many decades and may eventually need to be remounted or divided.
Do staghorn ferns need to be pruned?
No pruning is required aside from removing dead or damaged fronds. Never cut healthy shield fronds – these protective tissues should be left intact. Fronds naturally senesce and fall off the plant on their own.
How fast do staghorn ferns grow?
Young plants grow more quickly, with new fronds emerging every few months. Mature staghorn ferns grow slowly, often taking a year or more to produce offshoots for propagation. Ideal conditions will encourage faster growth. But in general these are quite slow growing compared to other houseplants.
Can you grow staghorn fern outside?
In tropical climates, staghorn ferns can be grown mounted to tree trunks or poles outdoors. They appreciate dappled sun or partial shade. Where temperatures fall below freezing they must be grown indoors or in a greenhouse. Plants tolerate some direct sun if kept moist.
Should I mount my staghorn fern or keep it potted?
Younger plants can be kept potted but most specimens are grown mounted permanently once they reach a substantial size. Potted plants will need much more frequent watering. Mounting allows the rhizomes to cling and resemble how they grow naturally on tree branches.
📝 Final Thoughts
Staghorn ferns are stunning and unique plants that can be a great addition to any home or garden. They are relatively easy to care for, and with the right environment and attention, they can thrive in your space.
By following the tips outlined in this article, you can ensure that your staghorn fern remains healthy and beautiful for years to come. One of the most important things to keep in mind when caring for a staghorn fern is its moisture levels.
These plants require high levels of humidity and regular watering, so it is crucial to be consistent with your watering schedule. Additionally, be sure to keep an eye out for pests such as scale insects or mealybugs, which can cause damage if left unchecked.
Another important aspect of caring for a staghorn fern is providing it with enough light. These plants prefer bright but indirect light, so it’s best to place them near a window where they can receive some sun exposure without being too exposed.
When selecting a plant at the nursery, look for specimens with healthy leaves and no signs of damage or pests. You want to make sure you’re starting off with a strong and healthy plant.
Overall, staghorn ferns are fascinating plants that are well worth the time and effort required to care for them properly. With their unique appearance and low-maintenance requirements, they’re sure to bring joy and beauty into your home or garden space.
So go ahead – give staghorn ferns a try! With their impressive visual impact and relative ease of care, they might just become one of your favorite plant species yet!
📚 Further Reading
📗 Learn more about Staghorn Ferns
📚 References
📘 PMC Article on Staghorn Fern – PubMed Central
📘 Staghorn Fern – Plant of the Week – University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture
📘 Staghorn Fern Plant Profile – United States Department of Agriculture
📘 Staghorn Fern (Platycerium bifurcatum) – University of Wisconsin-Extension Horticulture
