Plant Spotlight of the Week: Staghorn Fern
Hi guys! Today we’ll be delving into another edition of our “Plant Spotlight” series. For all of those who have followed and kept up with our blog, From the Potting Shed, we thank you for your continued support. For all of our new readers, thank you for checking us out and we hope you’ll find these posts to be informative and helpful as you continue to grow as a plant parent:) Every Monday you can expect a post about a specific plant for the week where you’ll learn about its origins, things the plant likes, and of course, how to keep the plant alive. Tuesday’s are going to be kept for our traditional blog updates and hot takes on what’s going on at TZS! Now that that’s out of the way, let's get into this week’s post!!
Staghorn Fern
Platycerium, the genus that houses Polypodiaceae, are plants with unique fronds that have earned them the name “elkhorn” or what you may know more commonly as “staghorn” ferns. Native to tropical and subtropical regions of Australia and Asia, this plant grows slowly, but will surely become quite massive as it matures, making it the perfect option for all you plant parents out there looking for a bit of a challenge in your next houseplant. Because these plants are epiphytic (meaning they grow on objects such as plaques or other plants without it being a parasitic relationship) it's important to note that maintaining conditions that mimic the natural environment of this fern is key in preventing any problems from arising.
Care Tips
-Mount, don’t pot. Staghorn ferns grow on the sides of trees or other plants in nature, so as your young epiphytic grows remember to transfer it from the soil it’s in and onto a wooden plaque. I’ll explain how to do this at the bottom of the post.
-Water frequently. Once a week during summer and once every two to three weeks during the fall and winter. When watering these guys, use the same technique you use for your tillandsia. Soak in a sink or container of water for 20 minutes and allow to dry before hanging the plant back up. Browning leaves at the base? Common sign of overwatering. Tips of the fronds beginning to wilt? Common sign of under-watering.
-Hu. Mid. It. Y. You can’t beat it with a stick. For most houseplants you’ll ever deal with, increasing humidity levels should always be at the forefront of how you maintain your plants' environment. The same is true for the staghorn. If you don’t have a humidifier to consistently keep moisture in the air, a spray bottle works just as well. Spritz the plant whenever you walk by it, giving it a better chance to keep its stomata open and respire the moisture in the air.
-Fertilize. Since you won’t be watering a plant that’s sitting in soil packed with nutrients every couple weeks, fertilizing staghorn ferns is vital to promoting growth and maintaining even nutrient levels. Use a water-soluble fertilizer that has an even balance of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and iron.
-Keep fungicide handy. Spider mites and mealybugs love eating away at these ferns. Routine checks and watering will curb this problem.
How To Mount
Secure your fern in a lump of an organic growing medium. I prefer compost or moss as both are well draining.
2. Take the plant and set it on a slab of bark or wooden board and secure it with a fishing line or wire.
3.Once the plant is firmly attached to your choice of plaque, you can hang from a wall and watch as new fronds grow.
Plant tip #1: Do not remove the dried up or brown shield fronds at the base of the fern. These are to be kept in place so that the plant can turn them into mulch.