Plant Care Guide

Staghorn Fern

Botanical Name: Platycerium bifurcatum,   plat· ee· SIR· ee· um  by· fur· KAY· tum

Common Names: Staghorn Fern, Elkhorn Fern, Common Staghorn Fern, Platycerium Alcicorne

Staghorn Ferns are tropical epiphytes, meaning that they grow on the surface of trees and derive their needs from the air, rain, and debris around them. The Staghorn Fern is named after its leaves, which resemble the forked antlers of a stag. These beautiful fern leaves are called fronds and feature antler fronds that extend tall from the center of the plant and shield fronds that form a protective circle around the root base.

Light Requirements 

Bright, indirect light is ideal.

Water Requirements 

Enjoys a deep watering once the soil has mostly (or completely) dried out. Tip: It is always better to underwater than to overwater. 

Troubleshooting and Tips

If the antler fronds begin to brown or blacken at the base, this is a sign of over-watering. Reduce watering to once monthly until the plant shows signs of recovery. 

If the antler fronds begin to brown at the tips or wilt, this is a sign of under-watering. Increase watering as needed. 

If the shield frond - the round, hard plate-like leaves that surround the base of the plant - turns brown don't worry. This is a normal part of the staghorn fern life cycle. These fronds start green, but eventually turn brown and dry up. Eventually, a new shield frond will grow on top. Dried shield fronds should never be removed!

Pet Friendly

Yes.

Taking care of plants is not a one size fits all kind of thing.  Knowing what your plant likes and doesn't like takes time. Our guide is here to help you, but it is not the end-all of guides. So if you find that something isn't working, change it up! Remember, every home provides a different environment and climate for your plant.