How often should I water it?

Water when the moss or medium feels slightly dry to the touch.

Can I grow it in soil?

No, it prefers a loose, well-draining mix like orchid bark or sphagnum moss.

Plant guide

Staghorn fern.

Platycerium bifurcatum (Cav.) C.Chr.

Pronounced pla-ti-SEE-ree-um by-fur-KAY-tum

Also known as Elkhorn Fern, Staghorn fern, common staghorn fern

Elkhorn fern — Photo by Leon Perrie (CC BY) via iNaturalist

The staghorn fern is a unique epiphyte that grows on trees in its native habitat. It features two distinct types of fronds, including shield fronds that protect the roots and fertile fronds that resemble antlers. It is a fantastic choice for mounting on wooden boards to show off its natural form.

Another photo of Staghorn fern — Photo by Marc Riera (CC BY) via iNaturalist

At a glance

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

Care

Mount this fern on a board with moss to mimic its natural tree dwelling environment. Keep the root ball consistently moist but never soggy, and watch for wilting fronds as a sign of thirst. High humidity is essential for keeping this plant happy and healthy.

Watering: Soak the entire root ball in water when the moss feels dry to the touch.
Feeding: Use a balanced liquid fertilizer diluted to half strength during the growing season.
Pruning: Only remove dead or brown fronds to keep the plant looking tidy.
Repotting: Repot or remount only when the plant has clearly outgrown its current board or basket.
Soil: Sphagnum moss or orchid bark
Soil pH: 5.5 to 6.5
Temperature: 10 to 30°C
Humidity: 60 to 90%
Drought tolerance: Low
Lifespan: Perennial, can live for many decades with proper care.
Deer and rabbits: Moderate

Signs it needs repotting

The plant has outgrown its mount.
The medium has decomposed into fine dust.
Water runs through the mount without being absorbed.

Safety

People: This plant is considered non-toxic to humans.
Children: Keep out of reach of small children to prevent accidental ingestion of soil or plant debris.
Contact allergens: The fuzzy scales on the fronds may cause mild skin irritation in sensitive individuals.
Airborne allergens: Spore release can trigger respiratory issues in those with specific sensitivities.
Edibility: This plant is not intended for consumption.

How to identify it

Antler shaped fertile fronds
Round flat shield fronds
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

Check your staghorn fern from a photo

Pocket Botanist looks at a photo of your plant and tells you what's wrong and what to try first.

Growing it

Propagation: division, spores
When to plant: spring, summer
Overwintering: Bring indoors before temperatures drop below 10 degrees Celsius. Keep it in a bright spot and reduce watering slightly during the cooler months.
In containers: It is excellent for wall mounts or hanging baskets, which mimic its natural tree-dwelling habitat.

Division

1. Identify a small offset or pup growing near the base.
2. Carefully separate the pup from the parent using a clean, sharp knife.
3. Mount the pup onto a board with damp sphagnum moss.

Group these with other humidity-loving epiphytes to create a microclimate that helps them stay hydrated.

Grows well with

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

Similar species

Elkhorn Fern — It has a similar growth habit and appearance.

Science

Family: Polypodiaceae
Genus: Platycerium
Order: Polypodiales
Class: Polypodiopsida
Native range: Eastern Australia and parts of Southeast Asia.
Conservation: It is widely cultivated and not currently threatened in its native range.

It survives by clinging to tree trunks and gathering nutrients from decaying organic matter that falls into its shield fronds.

Value to wildlife: provides habitat for small insects in the wild
Uses: indoor ornamental, epiphytic display, wall mount

Through the year

JFMAMJJASOND

Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

Temperature: 7/9
Nutrients: 3/9
Salinity: 1/9
Soil reaction: 5/9
Light: 4/9
Moisture: 6/9

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

How often should I water it?: Water when the moss or medium feels slightly dry to the touch.
Can I grow it in soil?: No, it prefers a loose, well-draining mix like orchid bark or sphagnum moss.

Where the name comes from

The name Platycerium comes from the Greek words for broad and horn, referencing the shape of the fronds.

Good to know

It is an epiphyte that grows on trees in the wild.
The two types of fronds have distinct roles: shield fronds for protection and fertile fronds for reproduction.
It is often called the staghorn fern because its fronds resemble deer antlers.

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.

Get the app

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.