Platycerium Bifurcatum | Staghorn Fern

Origin: Tropical Australia

Height: Trails up to 3 ft (90 cm) 

Light: Stag horns fern grows best in bright, indirect light. Strong summer sun will damage its fronds.

Water: Water thoroughly, allowing medium to dry out between waterings. Water potted plants from below for 15 minutes. For mounted ferns, plunge the root portion into room-temperature water for 15 minutes, then drip-dry. It is better to err on the dry side -- mature plants are more tolerant of drought than soggy medium, which can cause root rot.

Humidity: Prefers moist air. Dry indoor air will cause brown tips. Mist the fronds regularly with room-temperature water to keep the humidity high. However, don't allow the base of the fern to stay wet, which may cause it to rot. If humidity drops dramatically in winter, use a cool-mist room humidifier.

Temperature: Average room temperatures 65-75°F/18-24°C are ideal. Staghorn fern will tolerate a minimum of 55°F/13°C. 

Soil: Sphagnum moss or medium specially made for epiphytes such as bromeliad or orchid mix.

Fertilizer: Feed monthly in summer with a balanced (such as 10-10-10 NPK) foliar fertilizer or add fertilizer to water and plunge the rootball portion into the water for several minutes.