Staghorn Fern ‘Netherlands’ (Platycerium bifurcatum)

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Plant Details

Category: Houseplants

Light: Bright Light

Bloom Season:

Height: 6-12" /

15-30cm

Space: /

Zones: 9, 10, 11

Lowest Temp: 20° to 30°F /

-7° to -1°C

Colors: Grown for foliage

Basic Care

Best in fertile, well-drained soil kept evenly moist.

Water

Water every 5 to 7 days depending on light and temperature.Water freely during active growth. Mist frequently.

Soil

Anchor to tree bark, boards, or plant in a moss basket.

Feed

Once every month during growing season.

detailed care guide →

Creeping

Ornamental Foliage

Containers

Features

Ferns are top choice for bringing the outdoors in! These unique foliage plants fit with any décor be it classic, modern, country or eclectic. In Australia, this plant grows on the bark of trees high above the ground and is considered to be an Epiphyte. As the name would suggest, Staghorn Ferns are prized for their distinctly shaped fronds that are reminiscent of antlers. ‘Netherlands’ has flat, pale green fronds with pronged tips. Can be grown outdoors in the summer and brought back inside when temperatures are expected to fall below 50°F (10°C). Can be grown outdoors year-round in frost-free climates.

Uses

May be anchored to tree bark and boards. Superb for growing in a moss basket. Perfect for all kinds of containers. Makes a lovely gift!

Staghorn Fern ‘Netherlands’ (Platycerium bifurcatum) Care Guide

If the plant was purchased in a pot, then it is probably already in a quality potting mix and requires little more than watering and grooming. Epiphytes rarely need to be repotted.

Epiphytes grow on other plants. They can be grown in a light, well-drained mix of bark, composted peat and perlite, or, rather than growing in a pot, epiphytes’ roots can be wrapped in sphagnum moss and the entire plant can then be mounted onto wood or other surfaces.

When repotting, start with a good quality, sterile bark mix. Select a container with a drainage hole or be prepared to drill holes for drainage if there are none.

Prepare the container by filling with potting mix up to 2? (5cm) from the rim of the planter. Make a small hole in the soil slightly larger than the root ball either by hand or using a trowel. Insert the plant into the hole and press soil firmly around the roots and just covering the root ball. Once potted, water thoroughly to settle the soil and give the plant a good start.

Epiphytes prefer the bark mix to dry in between thorough watering. Check the bark mix moisture with your finger. If the top inch (3 cm) of bark is dry, it’s time to water. Apply water at the soil level if possible to avoid wetting the plant. Water the entire soil area until water runs out the base of the pot. This indicates that the soil is thoroughly wet. Discard any excess water that has accumulated in the pot’s saucer.

Epiphytes that are not potted in a container should be misted well at least three times a week, more often if the air is dry. Mist all the foliage so that the water can absorb through the leaves. The plant can also be submerged in water for two to three minutes, once a week for a more thorough watering.

Most epiphytes require little or no pruning. Cascading forms can be trimmed back to maintain a preferred size. To prune, choose a point along the stem where the leaves branch. Cut just above this point so the buds for new growth aren’t removed.

Some plants will re-bloom on their own, but others may have very specific day-length or temperature requirements to flower again. A bit of research may be necessary to determine what is needed to encourage future blooming.

Fertilizers are available in many forms: granulated, slow-release, liquid feeds, organic or synthetic.

Liquid fertilizer is the best for plants that aren’t potted in a container. These types of epiphytes absorb the plant food through the leaves. Select a product with a nutritional balance of 20-20-20 and dilute it to a quarter the recommended strength.

Slow-release fertilizer is the best for potted epiphytes. Select a product with a nutritional balance of 20-20-20 and lightly sprinkle the plant food at the base of the plant.

Too much fertilizer can damage plants so it’s important to follow the package directions to determine how much, and how often, to feed plants.

Companion/Combination Plants

Calathea, Prayer Plant (Calathea fasciata)

Details & Care Guide

Orchids ( )

Details & Care Guide

Staghorn Fern ‘Netherlands’ (Platycerium bifurcatum)

Plant Details