How to Grow Majestic Staghorn Fern Plants Indoors

Staghorn ferns (from the genus Platycerium) look very much like deer or elk antlers and can grow to be quite large and impressive. There are 17 species of Platycerium, but only one (the bifurcatum) is truly common. The P. bifurcatum is native to Australia.

About Staghorn Ferns

Staghorn ferns were once considered difficult to grow, but today they are quite popular. These ferns are epiphytic, which means they grow mounted on plaques or other substrates. They have two distinct leaf forms. Small, flat leaves cover the root structure and take up water and nutrients. Green, pronged fronds emerge from this base. These fronds can reach three feet in length. In certain circles, Platycerium varieties are intensely sought-after collector's plants.

Growing Conditions

Because they are epiphytes, staghorn ferns grow differently from typical houseplants. It can take some time to become familiar with the best way to keep your fern properly watered without oversaturating.

• Light: Bright light, but not direct sunlight. They can handle more sunlight given enough water, warmth, and humidity.
• Water: Water regularly throughout the growing season. Perfect drainage is essential; plants do best when mounted on plaques. Increase water as temperature rises.
• Temperature: The most common staghorn can survive briefly freezing temperatures, but they thrive in warm, humid conditions.
• Soil: Young plants are potted in rich, well-drained compost. Mature plants should be mounted.
• Fertilizer: Feed during the growing season with weak fertilizer weekly, or throw a few slow-release pellets in the center of the plant.

Propagation

Staghorn ferns propagate by spore or division. Large Platycerium can be easily divided into smaller plants, and even small "chunks" that include a leaf and a bit of root ball can be potted individually. Make sure new divisions are kept warm and moist until they are growing independently. Don't get discouraged if newly cut divisions take a little time to root, or if it takes a few tries. Propagating ferns takes some practice, and even experienced gardeners don't always find it easy.

Repotting

Small Platycerium is frequently grown in pots in a loose potting mix with perfect drainage. However, these plants are natural epiphytes. In spring, they can be attached to a plaque or piece of bark with a few wraps of pantyhose or even glue. Wrap the roots in moss to retain moisture. Alternatively, they can be potted in hanging baskets. They will eventually grow through the basket lining and form a ball. Mounted plants should not be disturbed, except to take pieces for propagation.

Varieties

The most common staghorn fern is Platycerium bifurcatum. There are countless varieties of P. bifurcatum, including many with interesting leaf forms. Another species, P. grande, is sometimes called the elkhorn fern. This plant features very large solid fronds up to 5 feet in length. Additionally, there are several collectors' species available, such as P. willinckii and P. superbum. These are quite rare, however, and often grow larger than most indoor growers can accommodate. Significant confusion surrounds the naming of several varieties, and they may appear in garden centers under different common names.

Grower's Tips

The chief concern with staghorn ferns indoors is humidity: they should be misted frequently and given ample ambient humidity during the warm growing season. They are more tolerant of cold than many people expect, and larger plants can withstand fairly long periods without water. Don't remove brown, flat leaves at the base of the plant—these are essential. Ultimately, growing these unique and beautiful plants comes down to ensuring that they're not exposed to extreme conditions.