How do I water a mounted staghorn fern?

Submerge the entire mount in water for 10 to 15 minutes until the moss is thoroughly soaked.

Should I remove the brown shield fronds?

No, these are meant to be brown and provide essential protection for the root system.

Plant guide

Staghorn fern.

Platycerium

Pronounced plat-ih-SEER-ee-um

Also known as elkhorn ferns, staghorn

Staghorn ferns are fascinating epiphytes that grow on trees in their native tropical habitats. They feature two distinct types of fronds, including shield fronds that cover the roots and fertile fronds that resemble antlers. These unique plants make for stunning wall mounted displays.

At a glance

Care level: Moderate
Plant type: Epiphytic fern
Light: Filtered bright light
Indoor light: Bright indirect
Water: Every 7 to 14 days
Mature size: 3 to 4 feet
Growth rate: Slow
Hardiness: USDA 9 to 11
Bloom time: None, as this is a fern.

Care

Mount these ferns on wood or keep them in a well draining basket to mimic their natural environment. Watch for wilting or browning tips which often signal the plant needs more humidity or a thorough soaking. Avoid touching the fuzzy coating on the fronds as it helps the plant absorb moisture.

Watering: Soak the entire root ball in water until fully saturated when the moss feels dry.
Feeding: Apply a balanced liquid fertilizer diluted to half strength during the active growing season.
Pruning: Trim away only the brown or dead fronds to keep the plant tidy.
Repotting: Repot or remount only when the plant has clearly outgrown its current board or basket.
Soil: Sphagnum moss or orchid bark mix
Soil pH: 6.0 to 7.5
Temperature: 10 to 30°C
Humidity: 60 to 90%
Drought tolerance: Low
Lifespan: Perennial, can live for many decades.
Deer and rabbits: Moderate

Signs it needs repotting

The plant has outgrown its mount.
The medium has completely decomposed.
The plant is struggling to hold onto its mount.

Safety

People: The plant is generally considered non-toxic to humans.
Pets: This plant is considered non-toxic to cats and dogs.
Children: Keep out of reach of small children to prevent accidental ingestion of debris or damage to the plant.
Contact allergens: The fine, fuzzy hairs on the fronds can cause mild skin irritation in sensitive individuals.
Airborne allergens: Spore release can trigger respiratory irritation in those with severe allergies.
Edibility: This plant is not intended for consumption.

How to identify it

Large antler shaped fertile fronds
Flat shield fronds covering roots
Fuzzy silvery coating on leaves
Epiphytic growth habit

Height: 0.3 to 0.9m
Spread: 0.3 to 0.9m
Leaves: green, silver-green, evergreen
Flowers: 0cm

Problems to watch for

By symptom

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Growing it

Propagation: spores, division of pups
When to plant: spring, summer
Overwintering: Bring indoors before temperatures drop below 10 Celsius. Keep in a bright spot and reduce watering frequency while maintaining high humidity.
In containers: They are best grown mounted on wooden boards or in hanging baskets rather than traditional pots.

Division of Pups

1. Identify a small offset or pup growing at the base of the parent plant.
2. Use a sterile knife to carefully cut the pup away from the main root mass.
3. Ensure the pup has a small portion of the shield frond attached.
4. Mount the pup onto a piece of wood or bark using fishing line or wire.
5. Keep the new mount consistently moist until established.

Group epiphytes together to create a microclimate that helps maintain higher humidity levels.

Grows well with

Orchids — They share similar epiphytic growing requirements and light needs.
Bromeliads — These plants thrive in the same high humidity and bright indirect light environments.

Similar species

Bird's Nest Fern — It is another popular tropical fern that can be grown in similar conditions.

Science

Family: Polypodiaceae
Genus: Platycerium
Order: Polypodiales
Class: Polypodiopsida
Native range: Tropical and temperate regions of Africa, Asia, and Australia.
Conservation: Some species are protected in their native habitats due to over-collection.

As epiphytes, they capture water and nutrients from rain and decaying organic matter trapped by their shield fronds.

Value to wildlife: provides habitat for small invertebrates
Uses: ornamental houseplant, epiphytic wall display

Through the year

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Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

Salinity: 1/9
Soil reaction: 5/9
Light: 4/9
Moisture: 6/9
Nutrients: 3/9
Temperature: 8/9

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

How do I water a mounted staghorn fern?: Submerge the entire mount in water for 10 to 15 minutes until the moss is thoroughly soaked.
Should I remove the brown shield fronds?: No, these are meant to be brown and provide essential protection for the root system.

Where the name comes from

The name Platycerium comes from the Greek words platys meaning broad and keras meaning horn, referring to the antler-like fronds.

Good to know

They have two types of fronds: sterile shield fronds and fertile antler fronds.
The shield fronds collect falling organic matter to create their own compost.
They are native to tropical regions across the globe.
They can live for many decades with proper care.

Keep your staghorn fern growing

This page is a general guide. Save your plant in Pocket Botanist and you get care reminders timed for this plant, plus a care history that shows what worked.

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This guide was generated with AI and checked against GBIF taxonomy. It is general information, not horticultural or veterinary advice. Read about how we build these guides.