Staghorn ferns, which is a term that refers to several species of fern belonging to the Platycerium genus have a unique appearance that makes it a very popular houseplant. They can also be grown outdoors on trees or in hanging wire baskets within USDA Hardiness Zones 9-12. Because these plants are ferns rather than flowering plants, their care requirements are a little different than other types of houseplants.
To care for a staghorn fern, plant it in a growing medium comprised of sphagnum moss and orchid bark. Unlike other types of ferns, you should allow staghorn ferns to dry out between watering sessions. A general rule of thumb is to water your staghorn fern weekly during the summer months and every two to three weeks during the winter. However, the ideal watering schedule depends on your environment.
The following article will give you a basic understanding of a staghorn fern’s physiology and how to properly care for these unique plants.
Helpful Definitions
Botanists and horticulturists have a unique nomenclature for ferns. This is because the biology and physiological structure of a fern is quite a bit different than the flowering plants we are used to talking about in the houseplant community. For this reason, I thought it might be helpful to define some terms that will be used when discussing the care requirements of a staghorn fern.
Fronds
The leaves of ferns are called fronds. They are usually comprised of a leafy blade and a stalk.
Basal Fronds
Basal fronds, which are also commonly referred to as shields, are flat leaves that cover the root structure. These fronds are sterile and are responsible for collecting plant debris and rainwater. The materials captured by the basal fronds will eventually break down and provide nutrients for the fern.
The basal fronds will eventually turn brown and look like dead plant material. However, it is important to resist the temptation to remove shields! They are essential part of the plant.
Foliar Fronds
Foliar fronds, which are also known as fertile fronds, are the elongated leaves that stick out from the structure. These structures are what give staghorn ferns their unique appearance.
Sporangia
Sporangia are the brown reproductive structures on the underside of the fern. The sporangia releases spores which divide via mitosis. In simple terms, spores could be thought of as fern pollen.
About Staghorn Ferns
Staghorn ferns are a group of 19 species of ferns belonging to the Platycerium genus. They are epiphytes meaning that they grow on trees rather than in soil. Staghorn ferns do not help or harm the trees on which they grow.
The terms staghorn fern and elkhorn fern are often used interchangeably. However, elkhorn ferns typically have thinner fronds.
Varieties of Staghorn Fern
I have read several sources that indicate that there are 18 species of staghorn fern. However, some scientific articles say that there are over 20 species. The reason for this discrepancy is that cultivars and hybrids have been added to the Platycerium genus over the years.
The table below lists at least some of the species belonging to the Platycerium genus.
| Scientific Name | Easy to Grow? | Native Habitat |
|---|---|---|
| Platycerium alcicorne | Easy to grow | Madagascar and East Africa |
| Platycerium andinum | Moderately difficult | Mountains of Bolivia and Peru |
| Platycerium angolense | Moderately difficult | Dry forests of tropical Africa |
| Platycerium bifurcatum | The most common species in cultivation and the easiest to grow | Australia and New Guinea |
| Platycerium coronarium | Somewhat difficult to grow | Maritime Southeast Asia and Indochina |
| Platycerium elephantotis | Difficult to grow | Africa |
| Platycerium elliisii | Challenging to grow well in cultivation | Western Madagascar |
| Platycerium grande | Difficult to grow | Philippines |
| Platycerium hillii | Easy to grow | Australia and New Guinea |
| Platycerium holttumii | Difficult to grow | Thailand |
| Platycerium madagascariense | Reputed to be the easiest staghorn fern to kill and rare in cultivation | Madagascar |
| Platycerium quadridichotomum | Difficult to grow at home | Madagascar |
| Platycerium ridleyi | Difficult to grow at home | Thailand |
| Platycerium stemaria | Difficult to grow | Tropical regions of Africa |
| Platycerium superbum | Difficult to grow – prized by collectors | Australia |
| Platycerium veitchii | Common and easy to grow | Australia |
| Platycerium wallichii | Difficult to grow | Thailand, Northern India, Burma, and the Yunnan Province of China |
| Platycerium wandae | Difficult to grow | New Guinea |
| Platycerium willinckii | Easy to grow | Java and the Lesser Sunda Islands |
Pups
Staghorn ferns grow pups are little plants that grow off of the main plant. You can detach these pups from the mother plant and propagate them as new plants. Alternatively, you can allow pups to remain attached to the main plant in order to form a larger plant.
The following video demonstrates how to propagate a staghorn fern. Propagated staghorn ferns make perfect housewarming gifts.
Lighting
Staghorn ferns grow best when they are placed in a location that gets a lot of bright, indirect light – ideally next to a south-facing window. If they do not receive enough light, staghorn ferns will decline slowly. However, you should not expose these plants to direct sunlight as it will burn the leaves.
Growing Medium
Because staghorn ferns are epiphytes, they do not need soil to grow. The best growing medium for staghorn ferns is comprised of sphagnum moss and orchid bark. Simply soak some sphagnum moss for a while. Then squeeze most (but not all) of the water out of the moss. Finally, place the moist moss around the staghorn fern.
Watering
In general, you should water your staghorn fern weekly during the summer and every other week during the winter. However, your watering schedule may need to be adjusted depending on your space. For example, if you live in a particularly dry environment like the desert, you might want to consider misting your staghorn fern a bit more frequently.
Overwatering is one of the most common reasons that staghorn ferns die. To avoid your plant from suffering this fate, it is better to err on the side of dry when caring for staghorn ferns.
Fertilizer
If you keep your staghorn fern outdoors, you do not need to fertilize it. The plant will get its nutrients from plant debris. However, staghorn ferns growing indoors will benefit from being fertilized once or twice per year during the late spring and summer. Fertilize with a balanced orchid food or air plant food diluted to half strength.
Pests
Staghorn ferns are not particularly susceptible to pest problems. However, you should be aware of a few potential problems. Like most plants with fleshy leaves, scale insects can be a potential issue. To get rid of scale insects, remove any infected fronds. If the infestation is not too large, you can physically remove scale insects by rubbing them off. Alternatively, you can try dabbing the insects with a cotton swab soaked in rubbing alcohol. Just be careful not to get any rubbing alcohol on the plant. Severe infestations of scale insects may require insecticides. If this is the case, use an insecticide that is not oil-based.
When staghorn ferns stay wet for too long, they can be susceptible to a fungal disease called Rhizoctonia sp. This disease causes black spots on the basal fronds. Unfortunately, Rhizoctonia sp. can be an aggressive disease that kills the plant rather quickly.
If you suspect that your plant may have Rhizoctonia sp., hold off on watering the plant and move it to a place that is not too humid. Click here to view fungicides recommended by the University of Florida.
