Staghorn Fern Platycerium bifurcatum (Elkhorn)
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One of the most gorgeous and satisfying plants to watch grow. The Staghorn Fern (sometimes called Elkhorn fern, but those have thinner fronds). These plants are a type of epiphytic ferns that grow in humid or tropical environments. These ferns make for an amazing ornamental adornment for any wall outside or inside (with proper watering and humidity).
Staghorn ferns can get quite large in the wild if given space. They mainly grow two types of fronds, the leaf you see that will eventually form brown spores at the edges and the shield frond that stays at the base helping the plant grip onto a variety of surfaces. As it grows, some powder or fuzz along the leaf is a normal part of its maturity and a way to retain moisture through its leaves.
The last image shows the plant when it is more mature and grows hanging. As an epiphyte, it doesn't need soil to grow; ideally, it needs to be hung for the best results to achieving the large size shown in the final picture. Needs some humidity to do well.
Available in the following packaging based on your preference:
- Nursery Pot - Standard plastic 4-inch planter pot that can be placed inside a larger pot or left as is until it outgrows it.
- Hanging Basket - A perfect way to display this plant that loves to hang out. This is a plastic basket that has drainage with a hook. The hook may arrive separated, but easy to clip the hooks back on along the pot's edges.
Looking for more plant goodies? Check out our accessories.
For added humidity, our Lyfe Rose Gold Signature Mister will make a perfect addition to your plant shelf for both function and beauty. We also recommend adding our Plant Shield & Shine to your order for routine maintenance and pest prevention.
Our plants are shipped from our indoor greenhouse in South Florida. Please note all our plants are one of a kind and if you want to message us we can send you a picture of the exact one you will receive. The product image here is intended to be the best representation of what you can expect to receive but yours may have slightly less or more growth depending on the crop we have when your order is placed. Any lifestyle pictures are meant to demonstrate how a fully grown or more mature plant looks for you to get a sense of it in your space.
- Botanical Name
- Platycerium bifurcatum
- Common Names
- Staghorn, staghorn fern, ball fern, elkhorn fern, deer horn fern, antler fern
- Plant Type
- Epiphytic ferns
- Mature Size
- Giant! Can get up to 3 foot wide
- Sun Exposure
- Indirect - direct light can scorch leaves
- Soil Type
- Hanging plant that does well initially on a bark or hook sideways for growth
- Soil pH
- Does not require soil to grow, does well hung up with humidity
- Bloom Time
- N/A
- Flower Color
- Fern - Non-flowering, basal and foliar fronds
- Hardiness Zones
- Zone 9-11; grown as in a greenhouse or houseplant in humid or warmer settings
- Native Area
- Tropical rainforests of Java
All our plants ship exclusively with UPS to ensure they arrive timely and in good condition. We ship most of our plants Mondays & Tuesdays to most of the USA to ensure they arrive speedy to your location. If you order on a Tuesday after 12 PM ET it is possible that we would not ship it till the following Monday.
We monitior the weather in each destination location to maximize the shipping time and utilize thermal protection to ensure that the plant is protected. You can add a heatpack or thermal bag to your order if temperatures at night fall below 40 degrees.
You can visit our shipping policy to learn more.
Customer Reviews
Plant was very well packaged and in perfect condition. These folks care a great deal about what they do. Excellent customer service. Will buy from them again. Very happy!
Received a beautiful, healthy plant,
I received a perfectly shipped, beautiful healthy plant. I let it rest in it’s pot keeping it very moist for about 5 days and the replanted it to a hanging basket. It is located against a brick wall over a concrete shelf where all the watering and misting won’t damage anything. And I placed an aloe under it to catch the runoff. Win win!
OMGOODNESS I finally got all three Stag Horns, they are almost home. I am just so excited. I went out and got an odd shaped planter and got a bunch of beautiful oak bark. I look at it every day, trying to get the nerve up to transplant I will get there really I will I keep saying it every night. That I will do it in the morning. I have finally set everything out to “Get it Done”!! I love ❤️ my Stag Horns. They are awesome. Thank you.
Came in such great condition and much larger than I anticipated in the 4in pot.
