- 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.
4.5" Pot
Also Known As:
4.5" Container
Plant Age:
~ 6 months
Plant Size:
~ 3"-6"
Pot Size:
~ 4.5"H x 3.75"W
Volume:
1.42 quarts
Quart Pot
Also Known As:
Quart
Plant Age:
~ 6 months - 1 year
Plant Size:
~ 4"-8"
Pot Size:
~ 4.75"H x 4.5"W
Volume:
1.50 quarts
2.5 Quart
Also Known As:
2.5 Quart Pot
Plant Age:
~ 1 - 2 years old
Plant Size:
~ 8"-12"
Pot Size:
~ 6.5"H x 6.5"W
Volume:
2.20-2.30 quarts
#1 Pot
Also Known As:
#1 Container
1 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 1 - 2 years old
Plant Size:
~ 10"-14"
Pot Size:
~ 7"H x 7.75"W
Volume:
2.26-3.73 quarts
#2 Pot
Also Known As:
#2 Container
2 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 1.5 - 3 years old
Plant Size:
~ 12"-18"
Pot Size:
~ 9.5"H x 9.5"W
Volume:
1.19-1.76 gallons
#3 Pot
Also Known As:
#3 Container
3 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 2 - 4 years old
Plant Size:
~ 12"-30"
Pot Size:
~9.5"H x 11"W
Volume:
2.32-2.76 gallons
For more detailed information, please click here.
Plant Addicts Guarantee (Included On All Plant Orders)
Plant Addicts always guarantees your plant(s) will arrive happy & healthy. However, plant(s) are being shipped through the mail & sometimes accidents happen. If the plant is dead, has dried out roots or the incorrect item was shipped, just notify Plant Addicts within 3 days upon delivery. We may ask for pictures but will try to make it as easy as possible for you. Please note, plant(s) with damaged branches or wilted leaves will not qualify for this guarantee. Plants are very resilient and will rebound quickly when cared for correctly.
For more information on how to care for your new plants, please click on our guide below.
Guide: How to Care for Your New Plant(s)
Plant Addicts Warranty - 1 Year (Extra Purchase Required)
We encourage all plant lovers to purchase the Plant Addicts Warranty, whether you're a new gardener or an expert. There are many variables outside of anyone's control that can cause a plant to die. Hungry animals, drought, poor soil conditions, over watering, diseases & pests are all good examples of what can cause plants to die. The Plant Addicts Warranty is a 1 year warranty protecting you from all of the unknowns and will replace your plant if something were to happen to it.
The warranty is purchased on a per plant basis and must be purchased at the same time as the plant(s). We will cover 100% of the price of the plant, but the warranty does not cover shipping costs. SImply let us know if your plant has died within 1 year of receiving it and we will get you a new one shipped out as soon as possible (depending on the time of the year and availability). We may ask for photos for documentation purposes, but we try to make the process as easy as possible.
For more information, please click on our page below.
Plant Shipping
Below are some factors we consider when determining when to ship the plants depending on the timing of the order.
Winter to Early Spring
We ship only when it's warm enough to plant in your growing zone.
Sometimes plants aren't completely ready to sell and ship in early spring. We will wait until the plants are ready before shipping so you don't get a subpar product.
For Southern plants we will be able to ship much earlier than plants coming from our northern nursery.
Summer
If there is extreme heat we may delay shipping for a week or several weeks.
We review what areas the plants are traveling through as well as your location.
Fall into Winter
We’ll ship plants out all the way up to the end of the fall planting season!
Winter
Get your order in early to reserve your plants for Spring planting!
Once your plant is shipped you’ll receive an automated email with tracking information.
Click here for more detailed shipping information.
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