Hello! I'm a
Staghorn Fern, also known as Stag’s Horn Fern or Platycerium bifurcatum, is an excellent plant for desks, shelves or as a hanging plant.
Latin name
Platycerium bifurcatum
Pronunciation
(“plat-ee-SERRY-um bye-fur-KART-um”)
Common name
Platycerium bifurcatum
Origin
Eastern Australia and Polynesia (P. bifurcatum), tropical East Africa (P. alcicorne). Other species of Platycerium grow in the wet tropics of Malaysia and South America
The name Platycerium comes from Greek roots: Platys, meaning broad, and Kero, meaning horn – and this is a great example of the botanical name giving a very clear description of the plant. Large examples truly look like stag’s horns and when displayed on a vertical surface (attached to bark, for example) resemble hunting trophies.
In their natural habitat, Stag’s Horn Ferns grow on tree trunks. They have two different types of frond (not true leaves). The flat, round fronds at the base grow to keep a grip on its host tree and can grow up to 60cm across. The horn-shaped fronds that grow outwards are deeply divided and can grow up to 45cm. The horn-shaped fronds carry the spore cases and are the reproductive part of the plant. The younger fronds often have a downy appearance, which diminishes as they mature, but they are rarely a deep glossy green. Do not be tempted to try and polish of the downy surface, thinking it is dust – that will damage the plant.
Non-toxic to pets and humans. It is a safe and pet-friendly plant for households with cats, dogs and children.
caring for your plant
Light
Medium – medium-high.
Watering
Keep the growing medium moist and mist the foliage regularly with tepid water.
Pruning
Do not prune. Remove dead fronds with a sharp knife close to the base of the plant, but be careful not to damage any of the other parts of the plant.
Feeding
A little weak solution of fertilizer added to the water every month or so is all that is needed.
pest & diseases
Generally pest free.
Our plants are grown in Ecoponic, an alternative to soil. Officially known as a vulkaponic substrate, it replaces traditional compost with a clean, mineral-based medium that helps protect peatlands.
According to the IUCN UK Peatland Programme, “A loss of only 5% of UK peatland carbon would be equal to the UK’s annual greenhouse gas emissions.” As well as storing carbon, the natural wetlands where peat is found are critical to the survival of plants and wildlife. Ecoponic also improves plant health and uses water more efficiently.
Find out more about Ecoponic here.
Buy one of my cousins from the nursery
Plantopedia is brought to you as part of our Engage & Bloom workplace experience program.
explore more
Why not continue your journey through the plant world. Explore more plants, their stories, habitats and the benefits they bring to spaces.
