Staghorn Fern Care Guide
Family: Polypodiaceae
Genus: Platycerium
Botanical Name: Platycerium superbum
Difficulty: Can be difficult to grow
Light
Keep your staghorn fern in bright, indirect light. You can easily create diffused light to protect them from direct sunlight. They will be so happy in your brightest room where it can be kept out of direct sun.
Water
Your staghorn fern’s watering needs will vary based on the air conditions in your home. Generally, they will need water once a week in warmer weather, and every 2-3 weeks in cooler temperatures. Allow the base to dry out before watering.
For the best results, use a combination of misting and soaking your plant. When misting your plant, be sure to use a very fine mist so you don’t soak the fronds. Start under the fronds and work your way down the plant.
If you have your staghorn fern mounted: When you water them, you can soak them in water for 10-20 minutes or just soak the root ball until the roots are fully saturated.
Climate
It likes moderate humidity. This can come from the environment alone or from a combination of a mildly humid environment and misting. They LOVE humidity and warm conditions.
Because they love to be cozy, they should be kept to temperatures above 50°F and no higher than 100°F. If you have a younger plant, higher humidity levels and temperatures are very crucial to its survival.
Soil
They love a rich soil. You can give them the best home by mounting them in peat, moss, and other organic matter. They do appreciate a well-balanced fertilizer to help them grow a little faster. Be sure to fertilize during the active growing season.
You can begin your staghorn fern’s journey in a pot, but they should be mounted once they have matured.
Pests and Diseases
These guys aren’t usually bothered by pests, but they can be affected by spider mites that like to live on the undersides of the fronds. They can get them from other plants in your house that have them.
Tips
Mount your staghorn plant once it matures.
They do best if you mount them because it mimics their natural habitat.
Give them filtered light to keep them happy and protect their delicate leaves.
Signs your staghorn fern isn’t happy
Brown or blackened base: over watering
Brown or wilted tips: under watering
Yellowing fronds: over watering
How to propagate
Staghorn ferns aren’t the easiest to propagate, but it just takes practice. You can propagate them from the spores that grow on the fronds or by division. New divisions should be kept in warm environments and in moist soil until they begin to grow on their own.
Fun Facts
Staghorn ferns have two different types of fronds: antler fronds and shield fronds. They get their names from the antler fronds!
Shield fronds are harder leaves that protect the roots. Leaves these guys alone!
The antler fronds produce spores that may look like a pest, but they’re very beneficial to the plant, so leave them be!
Hardiness Zones
Before you move your plant outside, be sure to check the hardiness zone to save yourself some grief and the loss of a beloved plant.
Hardiness zone for staghorn ferns is: 8
If you live in Tennessee, here’s a hardiness map to help you decide if your plant can survive outside!
