With their unique antler-like fronds, Elkhorn and Staghorn ferns create a striking display reminiscent of a lush, tropical forest. Their warm and friendly presence adds a sense of natural beauty and tranquillity, making them perfect additions to your indoor or outdoor oasis.
Planting Calendar
Elkhorn or Staghorn ferns can be planted throughout the year.
Prepare
Staghorn fern makes a great ornamental adornment for a wall indoors or outdoors. They can also be grown on a tree trunk or branches.
Position
These tropical plants need good air circulation, bright indirect light, warm temperatures, moderate humidity and consistent moisture. Providing sufficient humidity can be a challenge indoors and may require frequent misting when ambient humidity is low. If the light and air circulation is appropriate, a bathroom is an ideal place with its periodic humidity from the shower.
Soil
When growing indoors, Staghorn should be planted into a free draining indoor plant mix.
Plant
As epiphytes, staghorn ferns do not grow in soil, but attach to trees when growing in nature. Staghorn ferns are typically grown mounted on wooden boards or bark slabs, in wire baskets, or on other supports that provide the essential perfect drainage and are more convenient for plant management than a living tree (as well as better showing off their distinctive looks and beauty than in a container). Some sort of growing medium – often sphagnum or peat moss – is provided for the roots coming from the basal fronds to grow into. The fern is secured to the support by monofilament fishing line, wire, plastic mesh or other materials wrapped over/through the dead, brown shield-shaped basal fronds (not over the soft, green fronds or they will be badly damaged or killed) to hold it in place until well established. As new basal fronds are produced, they will hide the fastening material as they grow over the old fronds.
Care
Watering
Staghorn ferns absorb water through their fronds as well as the roots so be sure to soak the basal fronds and the growing medium. Allow some drying of the growing medium in between watering's. Staghorn ferns rot easily if overwatered. Rainwater is best if it is available. Established plants are fairly drought tolerant so can withstand fairly long periods without water. More moisture is needed when growing in summer and less in cold weather.
Feeding
Feed with Liquid plant food at half strength. Staghorns that are growing outdoors can be fed by giving them banana peels. Place the banana peels in the upright portion of the basal fronds or between the fern and its mount. About 4 peels a month is all they need.
Protecting
Staghorn fern has few pests but may become infested with scale insects or mealybugs.
Spraying
Should pests become a problem spray with Groventive Garden.
Pruning
The tan or brown, shield-like basal fronds shouldn’t be removed even if they look dead until they fall off naturally, as they help anchor and protect the plant. Withered fronds can be pruned off.
Expert Tip
Don’t try to wipe off the tiny whitish-grey, furry scales on the fronds that makes them dusty-looking as that covering helps slow transpiration. Withered fronds can be pruned off.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I propagate a Staghorn fern?
Staghorn fern can be propagated from the spores but because that is such a slow process they generally are propagated by division, carefully cutting off small pups with a sharp knife, making sure each piece has some fertile and sterile fronds and roots. New divisions should be kept warm and moist until established, which may take a long time.
How often should I water my staghorn fern?
Staghorn ferns absorb water through their fronds as well as the roots so be sure to soak the basal fronds and the growing medium. Allow some drying of the growing medium in between watering's. Staghorn ferns rot easily if overwatered. Rainwater is best if it is available. Established plants are fairly drought tolerant so can withstand fairly long periods without water. More moisture is needed when growing in summer and less in cold weather.
Can staghorn ferns be grown indoors?
Staghorn ferns can be grown indoors as long as they receive enough indirect light and humidity.
How can I prevent pests on my staghorn fern?
Inspect regularly for pests like scale and mealybugs. Treat infestations with insecticidal soap or neem oil and keep the plant healthy to prevent issues.
Do staghorn ferns need fertiliser?
Feed with Liquid plant food at half strength. Staghorns that are growing outdoors can be fed by giving them banana peels. Place the banana peels in the upright portion of the basal fronds or between the fern and its mount. About 4 peels a month is all they need.