Interesting Growth Pattern
Light Preference/Tolerated (Bright Indirect Light)
Average Watering Needs
Mature Height 2-3 feet
Pet Safe

The Staghorn Fern, or Elkhorn Fern, is the only Platycerium species common as a houseplant. These ferns grow naturally in Asia and Australia attached to other trees or woody structures, absorbing all their nutrients and moisture from the atmosphere. The medium-green fronds of Staghorn Fern are long and lobed like antlers, while the small, flat shield leaf protects the root structure underneath.

Best Locations For Growing Staghorn Fern

The Staghorn Fern is displayed best when attached vertically to wood or hung in an open-sided orchid basket. This epiphytic plant will tolerate lower humidity levels than other ferns but does need to be kept away from cold drafts and air conditioning vents. The dramatic form of the fronds is a great focal point for a massed houseplant display or single wall adornment.

Staghorn Fern Sunlight Requirements

Staghorn Fern grows as a lower-story plant in its native habitat in dappled sun. When growing as a houseplant, it prefers filtered sun from a window or indirect sunlight. East and southeast windows will provide enough light without burning the leaves.

Staghorn Fern Care

This is an epiphytic fern that prefers to grow on wood rather than in a pot of soil. The root ball must be wrapped in peat moss, coconut coir, or sphagnum moss and then attached to the mounting material. Pieces of bark, slabs of wood, or specialty orchid baskets make great mounting materials. Use a fishing line or wire to firmly hold the fern in place until it grows more leaves and begins to attach itself. Regular misting with water provides humidity, especially in the winter when central heating dries out the air.

Watering Staghorn Fern

Watering a Staghorn Fern is much different than watering most plants. The whole mounting material and plant should be soaked in a sink of water for 15-20 minutes once a week. This allows the fern and the mounting material to take up the moisture it needs. Allow the fern to dry for a couple of hours before hanging back in position. If the base of the fronds starts to turn black, this indicates that the Staghorn is overwatered. If the tips of the fronds turn brown and crispy, this indicates underwatering.

Feeding Staghorn Fern

Fertilize once a month during the spring and summer. Fertilizing is typically not required during the winter months when growth is slower. Use a balanced liquid houseplant fertilizer diluted in the basin you use for watering. An NPK ratio of 10-10-10 is the recommended formula.

Staghorn Fern Information

Light Exposure: Bright Indirect Light

Care Requirements: Easy

Watering Requirements: Average - Keep lightly moist. When the top 2 inches of the soil dries out.

Pet Friendly: Yes

Kid Friendly: Yes

Air Purifier: Low

Habit: Upright

Growth Rate: Slow

Mature Height: 2-3 feet

Mature Spread: 2-3 feet

Flowering: No

Flower Color(s): None

Flower Shade/Description: Grown for Foliage

Fragrant: No

Foliage Type:

Foliage Color(s): Green

Foliage Description: Green

Temperature: 60° - 80°F (16° - 27°C)

Humidity: Above Average (60% - 80%)

Common Name: Staghorn Fern

Other Name(s): Elkhorn Fern

Scientific Name: Platycerium bifurcatum

Plant Type: House Plant

SKU:: Fern_Staghorn-HP

Container Sizes

Please Note: The pictures below are to give a general representation of the different container sizes. The actual size/ages of plants are estimates and will vary based on; type of plant, time of year, last pruning & many other factors.

For more detailed information, please click here.

Guide: How to Care for Your New Plant(s)

Planter Shipping

Standard Colors: 2-3 business days

Special Order Colors: 8 weeks - this is due to the planter being custom made with the color(s) of your choice

Please Note: On special orders there can not be any cancellations

Plant Shipping

Time of Order:

Summer Shipping

If there is extreme heat we’ll delay shipping.

We’ll have to review what areas the plants are traveling through along with your location

Once your plant is shipped you’ll receive an email with tracking information. Depending on the above criteria we’ll ship your plant(s) towards beginning of the following week from your order. We put together this helpful guide of what to do when you receive your plants in the mail.

It is important to know that all of our plants are clearly labeled for which growing zones the plant can survive in. The plants are thoroughly trialed and tested in every growing zone before we state the plant can grow in a zone. Again, our #1 priority is to ship the plants to you healthy and ready to thrive in your location. So we will do everything in our power to do so.

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Staghorn Fern