Platycerium
( plat - ee - SIR - ee - um )
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At-A-Glance InformationCommonly called Staghorn Ferns or Elkhorn Ferns, this genus of plants is native to tropical and temperate climate areas in South America, Africa, Southeast Asia, Australia, and New Guinea. Plants in this genus are mostly epiphytic, attaching themselves to trees and other plants or structures, and form large root balls from which green fronds emerge. These ferns can grow to be 2-3 feet wide and are slow growing, adding about 4 feet in 10-20 years' time. Use these striking plants as focal points, living wall art (indoors or outdoors), or as shade garden specimens.
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Platycerium Species and Varietals
The genus Platycerium includes 18 species, and is a member of the plant family Polypodiaceae. The plants in this genus are closely related to those in Microsorum (Kangaroo Paw Fern). They grow well in USDA hardiness zones 9-12 as outdoor plants, and are commonly grown indoors or in greenhouses in cooler regions. To find your zone, click here: Zone Map.
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Platycerium alcicorne (Staghorn Fern, African Staghorn Fern, Elkhorn Fern) This ornamental fern species is cultivated widely, and is native to Madagascar, the Seychelles and Comoros Islands, Mozambique and Zimbabwe. They can grow to reach a height and spread of 1 to 3 feet, and produce antler-shaped fertile fronds that cascade outward and downward. This species is considered invasive in Hawai'i and Florida (United States). |
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Platycerium bifurcatum (Elkhorn Fern, Staghorn Fern, Common Staghorn Fern) This species is native to Java, New Guinea, New South Wales, Queensland, and Lord Howe Island. These plants reach about 35 inches in height and 31 inches wide, and produce grey-green fronds. Hardy to 41 degrees Fahrenheit, this plant is commonly kept as an houseplant or greenhouse specimen. This species is considered invasive in Hawai'i and Florida. |
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Platycerium coronarium (Crown Staghorn Fern, Stag's Horn Fern, Disc Stag's Horn Fern) This species of Staghorn Fern is found in Southeast Asia, and reaches just under 10 feet tall and 5 feet wide at maturity. The lower spore-bearing leaves on these ferns have a thinner look to them than other Staghorn fern fronds do, and dangle below the root ball in a pendulous manner. This species is considered invasive in Hawai'i. |
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Platycerium grande (Giant Staghorn Fern, Capa de Leon, Dapong Repolyo, Air Cabbage, Lion's Cape) This critically endangered species of Staghorn fern is native to the Philippines. Overcollection of these plants has led to a dramatic wild population decrease in recent years, a problem exacerbated by the difficulty of propagating these plants via spores. This species is considered invasive in Hawai'i. |
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Platycerium hillii (Hill's Staghorn Fern, Staghorn Fern, Elkhorn Fern) An Australian native plant, this species of Staghorn fern produces green to grey-green foliage from a basal mound of epiphytic roots. It reaches 3 to 6 feet tall and wide when fully mature. This species is considered invasive in Hawai'i. |
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Platycerium superbum (Staghorn Fern, Giant Staghorn Fern) This species of Staghorn is native to Australia and is widely cultivated as an ornamental garden plant in temperate and tropical regions of the world. These plants are grown as indoor houseplants or greenhouse specimens in many cooler regions of the world, as well. Fronds are green. This species is considered invasive in Hawai'i and Florida. |
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Platycerium veitchii (Silver Elkhorn Fern, Silver Staghorn Fern, Veitch's Staghorn, Antelope Ears, Antler Fern) This large, rare Staghorn fern species is easy to grow and is native to Queensland, Australia. The fronds in these species are green with a silver or greyish tint to them. This species is considered invasive in Hawai'i and Florida. |
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Caring for Platycerium
Platycerium, or Staghorn Ferns, do well in bright, filtered, or dappled shade. Fronds will sunburn if exposed to direct sunlight. They should be mounted on a rot-resistant wooden board or bark slab with a moist, long-fiber sphagnum moss bed behind the root ball. The root ball can be securely attached using monofilament fishing line or cotton twine. Ensure that the Staghorn Fern is situated in an area where temperatures remain between 60 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit and humidity levels range from 50% to 80%. Their roots absorb moisture directly from the air in their humid natural environments, but in cultivation they are commonly soaked. Submerge the fern in a basin of room-temperature water for 15 minutes, ensuring the dense root ball or sphagnum moss absorbs the water evenly. In summer, they are soaked every 1 or 2 weeks, and in winter every 2 to 3 weeks. Alternatively, Staghorn Ferns can be misted regularly, though this takes more frequent effort and care must be taken to not mist the round shield fronds at the base of the fern, as trapped water between the layered fronds can promote fungal rot.
Do not wipe or scrub off the tiny whitish-grey furry hairs (trichomes) on the green fronds, as this natural coating helps the plant slow transpiration. Do not remove the tan or brown shield-like basal fronds. This is a natural occurrence; they protect the root mass, anchor the fern, and collect organic debris for nutrients. Remove completely dead or damaged fertile fronds (antlers) for aesthetics during any point during the active growing season in spring and summertime. These ferns are long-lived perennials, and can last in the landscape for 20 to 50 years or more with proper care. They will produce offsets from their base that can be divided and remounted elsewhere, providing new Staghorn Ferns for the landscape indefinitely.
Growing Platycerium Indoors
Platycerium grown indoors require bright, indirect sunlight and should be protected from harsh, direct sun. A spot that is 2-3 feet away from an unobstructed east or heavily filtered south/west facing window is ideal. They should be mounted on a rot-resistant wooden board or bark slab with a moist, long-fiber sphagnum moss bed behind the root ball. The root ball can be securely attached using monofilament fishing line or cotton twine. Ensure that the Staghorn Fern is situated in an area where temperatures remain between 60 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit and humidity levels range from 50% to 80%. To water, submerge the fern in a basin of room-temperature water for 15 minutes, ensuring the dense root ball or sphagnum moss absorbs the water evenly. In summer, they are soaked every 1 or 2 weeks, and in winter every 2 to 3 weeks. Alternatively, Staghorn Ferns can be misted regularly, though this takes more frequent effort and care must be taken to not mist the round shield fronds at the base of the fern, as trapped water between the layered fronds can promote fungal rot. Indoors, Staghorn Ferns can be expected to survive for decades before needing to be replaced.
Do not wipe or scrub off the tiny whitish-grey furry hairs (trichomes) on the green fronds, as this natural coating helps the plant slow transpiration. Do not remove the tan or brown shield-like basal fronds. This is a natural occurrence; they protect the root mass, anchor the fern, and collect organic debris for nutrients. Remove completely dead or damaged fertile fronds (antlers) for aesthetics during any point during the active growing season in spring and summertime. These ferns are long-lived perennials, and can last in the landscape for 20 to 50 years or more with proper care. They will produce offsets from their base that can be divided and remounted elsewhere, providing new Staghorn Ferns for the landscape indefinitely.
Growing Platycerium Indoors
Platycerium grown indoors require bright, indirect sunlight and should be protected from harsh, direct sun. A spot that is 2-3 feet away from an unobstructed east or heavily filtered south/west facing window is ideal. They should be mounted on a rot-resistant wooden board or bark slab with a moist, long-fiber sphagnum moss bed behind the root ball. The root ball can be securely attached using monofilament fishing line or cotton twine. Ensure that the Staghorn Fern is situated in an area where temperatures remain between 60 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit and humidity levels range from 50% to 80%. To water, submerge the fern in a basin of room-temperature water for 15 minutes, ensuring the dense root ball or sphagnum moss absorbs the water evenly. In summer, they are soaked every 1 or 2 weeks, and in winter every 2 to 3 weeks. Alternatively, Staghorn Ferns can be misted regularly, though this takes more frequent effort and care must be taken to not mist the round shield fronds at the base of the fern, as trapped water between the layered fronds can promote fungal rot. Indoors, Staghorn Ferns can be expected to survive for decades before needing to be replaced.
Propagation
Platycerium, or Staghorn Ferns, are best propagated through division of existing plants. Spores can be used to propagate as well, though doing so requires more specialized knowledge, previous experience, and a suitable medium. To learn more about propagating ferns via spores, see the Propagation module. To propagate your fern, follow the directions below:
Propagating Platycerium by Division
Platycerium ferns will produce offsets, or 'pups' around its base that can be severed from the parent plant and mounted elsewhere. This type of propagation is relatively simple; you will need a clean knife and a new mounting board. Division is best done in spring or early summertime when temperatures are consistently above 50 degrees Fahrenheit and plants are in their active growth period. To propagate by division, follow these steps:
Propagating Platycerium by Division
Platycerium ferns will produce offsets, or 'pups' around its base that can be severed from the parent plant and mounted elsewhere. This type of propagation is relatively simple; you will need a clean knife and a new mounting board. Division is best done in spring or early summertime when temperatures are consistently above 50 degrees Fahrenheit and plants are in their active growth period. To propagate by division, follow these steps:
- Using a serrated knife or small garden saw, separate an offset from the parent plant. Pups should be about 4 inches wide and have developed their own small, round shield fronds and some antler-like foliar fronds. Cut deeply and cleanly into the dense mass of the mother Staghorn, slicing through the root ball and old fronds to remove the pup. Try to get a generous amount of the underlying root and basal shield material.
- Mount the pup on a rot-resistant wooden board or bark slab with a moist, long-fiber sphagnum moss bed behind the root ball. The root ball can be securely attached using monofilament fishing line or cotton twine.
- Place the propagated Staghorn Fern in an area that remains between 60 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit and where humidity levels range from 50% to 80%. They should get bright, indirect light. Keep the basal moss ball moist while the pup develops new fronds.
Problems and Pests
Certain Platycerium species are considered invasive in some regions; see the species descriptions above for more information. Check with local authorities before planting. Platycerium plants are susceptible to the following issues and pests:
- Mealybugs
- Scale Insects
- Spider Mites
- Fungal Rot (Rhizoctonia)
Gallery
Platycerium are often grown on tree trunks outdoors.
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Platycerium sporelings.
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Staghorn ferns are often mounted and hung on walls as living art.
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