Moderate Fern Safe for pets

Staghorn Fern

Platycerium bifurcatum

An original epiphytic fern with forked fronds resembling antlers, often mounted on boards as living wall decor.

The essentials at a glance

Watering

Every 7 days
Light

Bright indirect light
Humidity

50–70 %
Temperature

12–28 °C

How to care for your Staghorn Fern

Everything you need to keep your Staghorn Fern healthy: watering, light, humidity, feeding, repotting and pruning.

Platycerium bifurcatum is a spectacular epiphytic fern native to the coastal forests of Australia and New Guinea. Its unique silhouette is distinguished by two types of fronds: forked fertile fronds shaped like antlers, and round basal fronds forming a protective shield against the mount. Often attached to a board of wood or cork to replicate its epiphytic lifestyle, it makes one of the most original living wall decorations. Less demanding than the maidenhair fern, it adapts well to interiors when provided with good humidity.

Watering your Staghorn Fern

Every 7 days

Board-mounted: soak the moss and roots in water for 15–20 minutes then allow to drain thoroughly. Potted: water when the substrate surface is almost dry. Reduce in winter.

How to know it needs water

Moss or substrate dry to the touch
Board-mounted plant very light
Fertile fronds beginning to soften slightly

How much light a Staghorn Fern needs

Bright indirect light

Bright indirect light. Tolerates partial shade. Avoid intense direct sun which scorches the fronds. An east or west-facing position near a window is ideal.

Direct sun tolerated: 0 to 1 h a day
Orientations that suit it: East, West, North-east, North-west, North

Humidity and misting

50–70 %

Moderate to high (50–70%). Appreciates ambient humidity but tolerates dry air better than most other ferns. Mist the fronds regularly, especially when board-mounted or in a basket. Avoid excessively wetting the basal fronds which should remain dry on the surface.

Feeding and fertiliser

Every 30 days

Fertilize monthly in spring and summer. Organic fertilizer (decomposed banana peel) can be tucked behind the basal fronds. Do not fertilize in winter.

Recommended feed: Diluted liquid foliage plant fertilizer, applied during soaking or watering. · 1-1-1

Repotting your Staghorn Fern

Every 36 months

Ideally mounted on a board or in a hanging basket with sphagnum moss and bark. Potted: very airy orchid-type substrate (bark, sphagnum, charcoal). Never remove the brown basal fronds — they protect the roots.

When: Spring
Potting mix: Orchid mix
Mix in: pine bark, sphagnum moss, coco fibre

The tell-tale signs

Plant overflowing its mount significantly
Basal fronds very thick and compacted
Sphagnum moss completely degraded (board-mounted)

Pruning your Staghorn Fern

Only for completely dried fertile fronds (antler-shaped). Cut dead fertile fronds at the base. NEVER remove or cut the basal (shield) fronds, even brown ones — they protect the roots and store nutrients.

Through the year

Watering is not set once and for all: it follows the light and the growth. Allow 8 days between waterings in the depth of winter, against 6 in the growing season.

Active growth · Days between waterings

Good to know

Platycerium has two distinct types of fronds: the fertile antler-shaped fronds that handle photosynthesis and reproduction, and the basal shield fronds that cover and protect the roots by accumulating nutritious debris.
In Australia, its country of origin, wild specimens of Platycerium bifurcatum can reach impressive sizes, forming masses weighing over 100 kg attached to large trees in coastal forests.

Frequently asked questions about the Staghorn Fern

How do you care for a Staghorn Fern?

Water it every 7 days. Give it bright indirect light. Ideal humidity: 50–70 %. Ideal temperature: 12–28 °C. Board-mounted: soak the moss and roots in water for 15–20 minutes then allow to drain thoroughly. Potted: water when the substrate surface is almost dry. Reduce in winter.

How often should you water a Staghorn Fern?

Every 7 days Board-mounted: soak the moss and roots in water for 15–20 minutes then allow to drain thoroughly. Potted: water when the substrate surface is almost dry. Reduce in winter. How to know it needs water : Moss or substrate dry to the touch ; Board-mounted plant very light ; Fertile fronds beginning to soften slightly.

How much light does a Staghorn Fern need?

Bright indirect light Bright indirect light. Tolerates partial shade. Avoid intense direct sun which scorches the fronds. An east or west-facing position near a window is ideal. 0 to 1 h a day

Is the Staghorn Fern toxic to cats and dogs?

No, the Staghorn Fern is not listed as toxic to cats and dogs. That is still no reason to let your pets chew on it.

Why are my Staghorn Fern leaves turning yellow?

Yellowing most often comes from too much water: the mix stays wet and the roots suffocate. Check that the pot drains, empty the saucer, and let the mix dry before watering again. Too little light or a cold draught cause the same symptom.

When should you repot a Staghorn Fern?

Repot every 36 months, ideally in spring. Ideally mounted on a board or in a hanging basket with sphagnum moss and bark. Potted: very airy orchid-type substrate (bark, sphagnum, charcoal). Never remove the brown basal fronds — they protect the roots.