How to Grow and Care for a Staghorn Fern

08.08.2023 - 13:57 / gardenersworld.com

The staghorn fern (Platycerium bifurcatum) is an exotic plant in the Polypodiaceae family. Native to the rainforests of Australia and Southeast Asia, it’s an epiphyte plant, so grows directly on other plants (typically the forks of trees) and has no need for soil. Its roots absorb water directly from the tree it’s growing on.

Fern leaves are known as fronds. Staghorn fern has two types of fronds – antler fronds and the shield fronds. Antler fronds grow up to 90cm long, are usually branched and are reminiscent of deer antlers (hence its common name). They carry reproductive spores on their underside. Shield fronds are round, plate-like leaves that surround the base of the plant. Their function is to protect the plant roots and take up water and nutrients. Young shield fronds are green but turn brown and dry up as they mature. This is perfectly normal and does not mean your plant is dying.

Grow staghorn fern in a humid, draught-free environment such as a bathroom. Mist regularly and water weekly with rainwater.

Grow staghorn fern in a bright spot away from direct sunlight, in a humid, draught-free environment such as a bathroom. It needs average temperatures of around 20ºC in summer, falling to no lower than 16ºC in winter.

Staghorn fern doesn’t need planting, as it’s an epiphyte plant that ‘attaches’ to trees. It may be sold already mounted on to a piece of bark or wood, but if not you can easily attach it yourself, using wire and an absorbent material such as garden moss or coir (traditionally gardeners would use sphagnum moss but the harvesting of this moss contributes to the decline of peat bogs so we don’t recommend it). You can also