Also known as a Platycerium bifurcatum, the staghorn fern looks like a set of deer antlers, which is probably how it got it’s nickname as a “staghorn” fern! While they were once considered to exotic to grow indoors, the staghorn fern has grown popular over recent years, and is not quite as tricky to care for as it once was. Even better, the staghorn fern is considered an “epiphytic” plant, which means they don’t need soil and grow best when mounted on an item.
Staghorn Fern Care: Lighting
Staghorn Ferns naturally grow embedded into the bark of trees. Since they naturally grow under a canopy of tree leaves, they only need spurts of bright, indirect sunlight throughout the day. Mine sits across from an east-facing window and is doing exceptionally well! Whatever you do, don’t mount your staghorn fern in a place where direct sunlight will touch it’s leaves–direct sunlight will cause the fern to dry out.
How To Mount A Staghorn Fern
The coolest part about staghorn ferns is that they can be grown mounted to wood and other things. You can basically turn a live plant into a hanging art piece on your wall, and there aren’t many things you can do that with!
To mount your fern, wrap the root ball in moss, and “loop” it so it hangs on the wall. Check back for a full tutorial–I will post one soon!
How To Water A Staghorn Fern
Staghorn ferns absolutely LOVE humidity, so make sure you have a humidifier running in the general vicinity of your plant to keep the leaves looking their best. To water, you’ll want to soak the root ball in the sink for 20 minutes once ever 7-10 days (depending on the conditions of your home).
After the fern has soaked for 20 minutes, allow it to drip dry before re-mounting it on it’s stand.
If you notice that the leaves are beginning to crispen, you should water your plant more often.
Additionally, if you notice that the fern roots are blackening and look slimy, your plant is probably being over watered. Cut the deadened roots off ASAP to prevent any additional rot.
When To Fertilize A Staghorn Fern
Believe it or not, staghorn ferns are heavy eaters. Most can be fertilized once a month with any kind of water soluble fertilizer. Here is the DIY fertilizer that I use for my staghorn ferns!
