Why will I love it?
The staghorn fern, Platycerium bifurcatum, is an otherworldly-looking plant native to Java, New Guinea and Australia. It’s a fern that grows epiphytically – without soil – on the trunks and branches of trees. Many of us try to replicate this at home, mounting the plant on a piece of wood or displaying it as a hanging plant.
Light or shade?
Indirect bright light.
Where should I put it?
An ideal plant for kitchen or bathroom, as it appreciates high humidity.
How do I keep it alive?
Water every two to three weeks in winter and once a week in the warmer months, and be sure to soak the compost. It is happy at room temperature but can sustain temperatures as low as 5C. Mist frequently to increase the humidity.
Did you know?
The genus name Platycerium is derived from the Greek words platys, meaning flat, and ceras, meaning horn, referring to the shape of the fronds. Its unusual form consists of two types of frond: “antler” fronds, the large bifurcated leaves that shoot out of the centre of the plant; and “shield fronds” – round, stiff, plate-like leaves that surround its base. The shield fronds start off green but eventually dry up.
