Follow these staghorn fern care tips for best results:
- Move the plant away from drafty areas or cold windowsills where it might get too cold.
- Purchase staghorn fern care fertilizer for staghorn fern care and follow the package instructions.
- Water your staghorn fern sparingly, making sure you water it from the bottom every time to avoid root rot. Allow soil to dry between watering cycles if possible. ...
How to revive a dying staghorn fern?
How to save a dying staghorn fern
- Dry the soil. Watering too often can cause Water-logging and eventually lead to fungal infection. Stag horn ferns can be killed by a fungal infection.
- Fertilizer. Adding a small amount of fertilizer can help you save a dying staghorn fern. ...
- A greenhouse effect. Another good way to save a dying staghorn fern is to use the greenhouse effect. ...
How to treat problems with staghorn ferns?
The best way to keep a staghorn fern healthy is to replicate its natural growing conditions as closely as possible. Stop watering the staghorn fern immediately if you notice black spots on the fronds, and move the plant to an area with good air circulation. This is a symptom of a fungus called Rhizoctonia, caused by too much moisture.
How to grow a staghorn fern indoors?
Staghorn Fern Care
- Light. Staghorn ferns prefer to be kept in a location that boasts consistent, shaded light. ...
- Soil. Though young ferns may be started in a moist traditional potting mixture, staghorn ferns should be mounted once they progress towards maturity.
- Water. ...
- Temperature and Humidity. ...
- Fertilizer. ...
How big does a staghorn fern get?
Staghorn ferns can grow to well over 100 pounds (45 kg), which makes them impractical for mounting. To avoid needing to remove your fern from the wall, prune it periodically as the fronds begin to overwhelm the board.
What is the coldest temperature a staghorn fern can tolerate?
In general, staghorn ferns are hardy in zone 8 or above and considered to be cold tender or semi-tender plants and should not be exposed to temperatures below 50 degrees F.
How do you care for a potted staghorn fern?
If your staghorn fern is potted or grown in soil, you'll need to water it less often. Just keep the soil moderately moist. As your plant's basal fronds grow, they'll go from bright and green to brown, dry, and papery. Be sure to leave the basal fronds on the plant, as they help protect the roots and regulate moisture.
Can a staghorn fern live indoors?
They do great outdoors in temperate climates but also make fine houseplants with a little effort. This is all about how to grow a Staghorn Fern indoors, even though are homes are nothing like the rainforest. Staghorn Ferns can be grown in a pot, in a wire basket as well as on a wire frame.
Should I remove brown leaves from staghorn fern?
Remove these fronds near their base if the entire frond is dead or damaged, or just cut back to the nearest healthy portion of the foliage if only part of the frond is dead or damaged. Leave the dead and damaged basal fronds on the plant because they provide food for the fern as they decompose.
Why are the tips of my staghorn fern turning brown?
Underwatering. In warmer or sunnier environments, Staghorn Ferns typically need a little more water, and underwatering is a risk. Watch for brown spots at the tips of your fronds or wilting leaves, both of which indicate that your Staghorn is not receiving enough water.
How do you feed a banana to a staghorn fern?
In the case of at least one plant, the staghorn fern, adding whole banana peels is just as effective as composting them first. You can “feed” a whole peel or even a whole banana to the plant by placing it on top of the plant, among its fronds.
Are coffee grounds good for staghorn ferns?
Banana skins, coffee grounds and tea bags are excellent slow release fertilizers that you can place behind your Staghorn or Elkhorn plants.
Should I mist my staghorn fern?
Staghorn ferns absorb water through their fronds, as well as their roots. This means that they respond well to misting and appreciate humid spaces. More humidity = less watering.
How often should you water a staghorn fern?
Proper watering is an essential component of a staghorn fern's success. They'll need frequent watering, but the base should be allowed to dry out in between—about once a week in warmer climates or during the summer months, and once every two to three weeks in cooler months.
What is the best fertilizer for staghorns?
A: You can use organic fertilizers such as diluted fish emulsion, applied every two to three weeks in spring and summer, if ferns are in containers, or monthly if grown in the garden. Kelp also is good. Or you can use small amounts of a balanced fertilizer such as an 8-8-8.
How do you bring a stag horn back to life?
Here's what I would suggest. Fill the hole with sphagnum peat moss (looks like fibrous, tan moss) or homemade compost. Add a small amount of a slow-release fertilizer, such as Osmocote or Nutricote, into the hole as you add the moss or compost. This will provide nutrients and encourage growth.
Can you cut a staghorn fern in half?
Splitting staghorns is much easier to do than it may seem at first. If you have a big plant, it can look as if it is a complicated mass of roots and fronds, but if you can separate an offshoot, it should come off easily. You can then remount it and enjoy a new, separate staghorn fern.
How often should you water a staghorn fern?
A good rule of thumb is to water once per week in dry, hot times of year, and once every two to three weeks during cooler months. Start with this schedule, and adjust as necessary depending on your space. Staghorn ferns absorb water through their fronds, as well as their roots.
How much sun does a staghorn fern need?
Light: This fern likes bright indirect light, as it's used to having sun filtered through tree canopies. Use a sheer curtain or blinds to keep the direct sunbeams from damaging its fronds, allowing it to get 4-7 hours of light.
What is the best fertilizer for staghorns?
A: You can use organic fertilizers such as diluted fish emulsion, applied every two to three weeks in spring and summer, if ferns are in containers, or monthly if grown in the garden. Kelp also is good. Or you can use small amounts of a balanced fertilizer such as an 8-8-8.
Are coffee grounds good for staghorn ferns?
Banana skins, coffee grounds and tea bags are excellent slow release fertilizers that you can place behind your Staghorn or Elkhorn plants.
How to keep staghorn ferns moist?
If your home has very dry air it might not be happy in there. Try placing the plant in one of the more humid areas of the house, like the bathroom, or run a humidifier to keep the moisture levels up. Temperature.
How cold should a staghorn fern be?
The staghorn fern is totally happy indoors at room temperature and although it can take a little bit of cold it’s probably best not to let things drop below 50 °F/10 °C. Keep that in mind if you want to grow it outdoors.
What is a staghorn fern?
Although there are multiple staghorn fern species out there, the one that we generally come across in plant stores and garden centers is Platycerium bifurcatum. This species is naturally found in Australia as well as New Guinea and the Indonesian island of Java.
How to wrap a fern root ball?
Tip: Don’t like the burlap look? You can also gently wrap the root ball in moss. Hammer two nails into the board on either side of where the fern is going to be. Place the moss-covered root ball in between these nails and then use fishing line to secure it.
How to make ferns escape from a nail?
Loop the line around a nail, cross it over the root ball, loop it over the other nail and go back and forth until the fern can’t escape.
Do staghorn ferns produce seeds?
Like other ferns, the staghorn fern doesn’t produce seeds. Ferns are among the most ancient plant types out there and they still reproduce the ‘old-fashioned’ way, through spores. These spores are tiny and grow on the edges of the plants’ fronds, looking like little more than a layer of dust. They can be harvested to grow new staghorn ferns ...
Do staghorn ferns need soil?
In its natural habitat, the staghorn fern grows in rainforests in an epiphytic manner, meaning it clings to trees in a non-parasitic way. It doesn’t need soil around its roots, which only really serve an anchoring purpose: water and nutrients are absorbed mainly through the fronds instead. Like other ferns, the staghorn fern doesn’t produce seeds. ...
How to get rid of staghorn fern?
Soaking your staghorn fern. Soak your staghorn fern in a sink or basin of water for 10-20 minutes, or until the roots are fully saturated.
How to keep a staghorn fern from misting?
If your staghorn fern is in a space where it receives lots of ambient humidity, like a bathroom, you’ll probably be able to reduce your misting and watering. More light or heat = more watering. During the summer, be especially attentive to your stag.
What is the second type of staghorn fern?
The second type of staghorn fern frond is called the shield frond. These are the round, hard plate-like leaves that surround the base of the plant. Their function is to protect the plant roots, and take up water and nutrients. These fronds start out green, but eventually turn brown and dry up. This is a totally normal part of the staghorn fern life-cycle -- in fact, this is one of the most common misconceptions in staghorn fern care. A brown shield frond does not mean your staghorn fern is dying, and dried shield fronds should never be removed!
How many species of staghorn fern are there?
There are about 12,000 fern species, and ferns are amongst the most ancient plants.
What are staghorn fern leaves called?
Fern leaves are actually called fronds , and staghorn ferns have two types. The first, and most prominent, is the “antler” frond - these are the large, bifurcated leaves that shoot out of the center of the plant, and from which staghorn ferns get their names, since they resemble the antlers of deer or moose.
Why is my staghorn fern not growing?
Under and over-watering are the most common causes of staghorn fern failure. There is no hard and fast rule as to how often a staghorn fern will need watering - the amount of light, humidity and heat they receive in your home will dictate your watering schedule. However, here are a few rules that tend to work well for us:
What is the final part of a staghorn fern?
The final part of the staghorn fern is the root ball. Since stags are epiphytes, their root systems are fairly minimal, and help the plant attach to its home. Because the roots are so minimal, staghorn ferns need extensive drainage and are particularly susceptible to root rot.
How to start a staghorn fern from a pup?
Ferns don’t produce seeds like most plants, so the best way to start a new staghorn fern is from its pups. Use a sharp, sterile knife to cut the pup from the parent plant. Wrap the end of the cut in damp sphagnum moss and tie it onto a piece of wood or bark loosely. Provide the same care of staghorn ferns that you would for an adult fern.
How long do staghorn ferns live?
Care of staghorn ferns relies on careful humidity, light, and temperature control. The ferns can live many years with good care and will get several hundred pounds in their natural habitat. Homegrown ferns are generally much smaller but they can be in the family for decades.
How many different species of staghorn ferns are there?
There are 17 different species of staghorn fern ( Platycerium alcicorne) – which in addition to common staghorn fern, go by a number of other common names that include elkhorn fern and antelope ears. Each one has antler-like foliage as well as a flat, basal leaf. The flat leaves are infertile and turn brown and papery with age. They overlap onto a mounting surface and provide stability for the fern. The foliar fronds may droop or be erect, depending upon the variety of fern.
What is a staghorn fern?
Image by cynoclub. Staghorn ferns ( Platycerium spp.) have an out-of-this-world appearance. The plants have two types of leaves, one of which resembles the horns of a large herbivore. The plants grow outdoors in warm-season locations and indoors elsewhere.
Can staghorn ferns grow indoors?
Growing staghorn ferns is easy. If they get low to medium light and moderate moisture, they will thrive. In fact, whether grown indoors or outside, provide moderate moisture and a humus-rich medium when growing staghorn ferns. Outdoor plants should be located in partial shade or low light conditions for the best growth, ...
Do staghorn ferns have flowers?
Staghorn ferns produce spores as reproductive organs, which are borne on the edges of the lobed, antler-type fronds. They do not get flowers and they are generally not rooted in soil.
Do ferns have flat leaves?
The flat leaves are infertile and turn brown and papery with age. They overlap onto a mounting surface and provide stability for the fern. The foliar fronds may droop or be erect, depending upon the variety of fern. Staghorn ferns produce spores as reproductive organs, which are borne on the edges of the lobed, antler-type fronds.
How hot does a staghorn fern grow?
Staghorn ferns grow well in average home temperatures between 60 and 80 degrees. During temperate summers, they appreciate the heat and humidity outdoors, but be sure to avoid direct sunlight. Move them back inside when night temperatures drop into the 50s.
What is a staghorn fern?
Staghorn ferns, occasionally referred to as “stag head fern,” are so called for their resemblance to antlers. The stag plant is typically mounted to a wooden plaque and displayed by hanging on a wall. The plants grow best in warm, humid conditions, indoors or out.
What is the best material for staghorn ferns?
As epiphytes , staghorn ferns prefer a coarse, well-draining growing medium that is high in organic matter. Instead of growing them as potted plants, most growers mount them on wood planks, or plaques. Cedar makes an excellent staghorn fern mounting board because it is naturally rot resistant. The medium of choice is dried sphagnum moss.
What is an elephant ear fern?
Elephant Ear Staghorn fern ( P. elephantotis) displays rounded, almost cabbage-like fronds without the forking seen in other Platycerium species.
Why are my staghorn fern leaves turning brown?
If staghorn fern brown leaves are a problem, it is probably a watering issue. Stag plants are sensitive to both overwatering and under-watering. When fronds begin to turn dark at the base, it’s a symptom of overwatering. Brown frond tips and wilting are signs of under-watering.
How to keep staghorns healthy?
High humidity is vital for good staghorn plant health. Keep the plant away from heat vents, fireplaces, and other arid zones. Mist the fronds daily to boost the ambient humidity. If the fronds begin to brown at the tips, but the root ball is still moist, mist more frequently. Consider moving the plant to a bathroom, or even the shower, for a humidity boost.
How long does it take for a fern seed to grow?
They can be harvested and started in sterilized seed starting mix. There are several ways to do it, but all are somewhat complicated and it takes at least a year before the baby plants are large enough to transplant.
How to protect staghorn fern from frost?
Keep in mind, staghorn fern will need protection from any freezing temperatures. Mounting your staghorn somewhere protected, like under a tree or on a porch, will help protect it from frosts. However, gardeners in North and Central Florida should bring their ferns inside when extremely cold temperatures are expected, if possible.
How many species of staghorn fern are there?
Staghorn fern is a member of the Polypodiaceae family; there are presently eighteen known species, as well as many varieties and hybrids of this plant.
Is staghorn fern easy to grow?
While some species of staghorn fern can be a bit difficult to care for, these two species are low-maintenance and commonly grown. Other easy-to-grow species of staghorn fern are P. alcicorne and P. hillii.
Can staghorn ferns survive in cold weather?
Staghorn fern flourishes in warm, humid climates and should be protected from cold conditons. It's generally considered a tender plant; most species can't tolerate temperatures below 55°F. However, Platycerium bifurcatum and Platycerium veitchii can withstand temperatures as low as 30°F. While some species of staghorn fern can be a bit difficult to care for, these two species are low-maintenance and commonly grown. Other easy-to-grow species of staghorn fern are P. alcicorne and P. hillii.
Can staghorn ferns survive freezing temperatures?
Keep in mind, staghorn fern will need protection from any freezing temperatures. Mounting your staghorn somewhere protected, like under a tree or on a porch, will help protect it from frosts. However, gardeners in North and Central Florida should bring their ferns inside when extremely cold temperatures are expected, if possible. ...
Is staghorn fern a tropical plant?
Staghorn Ferns. Once an uncommon plant find, staghorn fern ( Platycerium spp.) is now quite popular and widely available. Beginner (or easily-distracted) gardeners in Florida should consider growing this fascinating tropical plant. Staghorn fern thrives in Florida's heat and humidity; it grows quite well in South Florida ...
Can you overwater a fern?
As far as irrigation is concerned, be sure not to overwater your plant. Since it can be hard to tell how moist or dry the planting medium is, it's best to wait until your fern wilts slightly before watering. Where a wilting fern will where quickly recover with water, an overwatered fern will rot and die.
How do you know if a staghorn fern needs water?
In order to understand the watering requirements of the Staghorn Fern, you need to understand a little about the science of the plant and how it absorbs moisture and nutrients. The Fern has two types of leaves: fertile and sterile. On a mature Staghorn Fern, it is easy to quickly distinguish between the two because the fertile leaves are the long antler-shaped green leaves, while the sterile leaves are the brown and dry looking leaves at the base of the plant.
Why don't you remove brown leaves from a staghorn fern?
They fulfill a very important purpose to the survival of the plant, so it’s vital that you don’t remove the brown leaves. The primary function of the fertile leaves is reproduction. They produce spores from which new Staghorn Ferns can be grown. The sterile leaves are how the plant feeds itself and protects itself.
What is a sterile fern?
The sterile leaves are also referred to as shield leaves, as they grow around the root ball, protecting it. When the Staghorn Fern is grown as a houseplant or outside in a garden, the way you water it will depend on the growing medium you have used. In most instances, the plant will be growing on sphagnum moss.
What is the best medium for a staghorn fern?
Many people choose to mount their Staghorn Fern on a wooden board or hang it from a wide basket. In these instances, sphagnum moss is generally the best growing medium. Fix it to your board or basket with wires, and then, securely attach your plant on top of this.
Why are my staghorn ferns' leaves brown?
On younger plants, the sterile leaves start out pale green, but as they age, it is normal for them to become brown and look almost dead. They fulfill a very important purpose to the survival of the plant, so it’s vital that you don’t remove the brown leaves. The primary function of the fertile leaves is reproduction. They produce spores from which new Staghorn Ferns can be grown. The sterile leaves are how the plant feeds itself and protects itself. In its natural habitat, the brown leaves would catch falling debris and foliage from other plants, which, over time, would decompose and release nutrients that would be absorbed by the plant.
What is a staghorn fern?
The Staghorn Fern is an unusual plant, being both an air plant and a fern, though it bears little resemblance to most ferns. In its natural environment of tropical forests, the plant grows on tree trunks or rocks, absorbing moisture from the humid air and collecting nutrients from the falling leaves of overhead trees.
How to treat a plant with sterile leaves?
You could use a few ice cubes each week as a watering method; as they melt, they will gradually water the plant, ensuring that the soil never becomes too wet. As the sterile leaves also absorb moisture, you can spray them with a water mist to water the plant, but be careful not to mist the fertile leaves. Sitting water on the fertile leaves can block their pores and interfere with the production of spores.
Where do staghorn ferns grow?
Native to Southeast Asia, Polynesia and Australia, staghorn ferns are winter hardy in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 9 through 12. The fern produces two distinct frond types: basal and foliar. The basal fronds grow at the base of the plant, overlapping each other and gripping the growing surface. The foliar fronds grow upright in the “staghorn” formation, with several lobes per frond, giving the plant its name. While P. bifurcatum is the most prominent species, there are at least 10 under common cultivation.
Is a staghorn fern a low maintenance plant?
One of the more interesting ferns to grow due to its differentiated fronds, staghorn fern (Platycerium spp.) is a relatively low-maintenance, evergreen plant for inside the home or greenhouse, or outside where temperatures are warm enough. Although its watering requirements -- winter and otherwise -- are somewhat specific, they are not difficult to master.
Can staghorn ferns be dry?
Staghorn fern rootballs must never be allowed to dry out, but over watering is still a significant problem. Because the medium should be dry all the way through before you water, check by testing the moss at the bottom of the root ball, where water will collect, or by checking the rootball itself, which may still be holding moisture even when the outer layer of growing medium is entirely dry. When the medium is dry, water from the top of the rootball, Occasionally you should submerge the rootball entirely, then allow it to drain.
