Staghorn fern hanging basket in shade tree

Staghorn fern (Platycerium bifercatum) is an epiphyte from the forests of Africa, Australia, and Southeast Asia. In temperate regions, it is a popular house plant. In their natural habitat, it prefers to grow attached to tree trunks or rock outcroppings for support. It draws no nutrients from the tree.

Two very different types of fronds (leaves) are found on the same plant. The foliar leaves are fertile, able to bear spores, and resemble the antlers of a deer and elk. The basal leaves, called “elephant ears”, attach to a rough textured surface such as a bark slab or cement wall for vertical support.

Annual care is minimal. Staghorn fern thrives outdoors in the warm humid summer air in the shade. In late spring, when danger of frost has passed, mount or hang fern in indirect sun (preferably early morning sun) and protect it from high winds. Room temperature range between  65  – 75 °F is ideal and staghorn fern can tolerate as low as 25 °F. Keep it drier over the winter period. Never overwater as this often results in fungal disease problems.

It can be grown in a pot or hanging basket in a porous gravelly soil. The upright foliar fronds collect water and debris (dead or decayed leaves) which nourishes the plant. Grow in filtered, not direct sunlight. It attracts very few pests, but do inspect fronds periodically for mealy bugs and scale.

The fertile green fronds may turn gray or silver colored when spores are present. Brown patches on the tips of older fronds indicate mature spores are present.

As the fern matures, it may become too large and heavy. Senior gardeners will opt to pass along this long-lived “family fern” as part of their estate.

Training to vertical support: Create a bed or nest containing water-saturated sphagnum moss or osmunda fiber. Plant staghorn fern and secure with thin wire or twist ties to the bark support. Pound some nails into a bark slab to create the nest containing potting media (sphagnum moss). Keep the moss moist and eventually new fronds will appear.