How to care for staghorn fern (Platycerium bifurcatum)

Platycerium bifurcatum · Elkhorn fern

Staghorn fern (Platycerium bifurcatum) — an epiphytic fern with two kinds of fronds, rounded shield fronds pressed against its support and grey-green, forked, antler-like fronds up to about 90 cm long. Staghorn fern needs partial shade. Water it about every 7 days while it grows and about every 14 days in the winter rest.

Checked against sources: November 5, 2026

Watering and repotting staghorn fern through the year

It lives indoors all year, so it has no sowing or planting dates: it grows from March to September and rests from October to February (the other way round in the southern hemisphere).

Repot it about every 36 months.

When to plant staghorn fern?

Plant or repot staghorn fern in spring, as it starts into growth; early to midsummer also works. It is a houseplant, so it has no outdoor planting date and no frost decides it: just avoid autumn and winter, when growth slows and fresh compost stays wet too long. After that, move it to a slightly larger pot about every three years, or sooner once roots circle the pot or grow through the drainage holes.

Watering in the growing and resting halves of the year: Watering and repotting staghorn fern through the year.

Sources: RHS: How to repot a plant · Penn State Extension: Repotting houseplants

Quick facts

Type	Houseplant
Latin name	Platycerium bifurcatum
Family	Polypodiaceae
Also called	Elkhorn fern
Light	Partial shade
Frost	does not tolerate frost
Repotting	every 36 months
Grown in	At home

Staghorn fern care by growth stage

At home

Stage	Watering	Temperature	Feeding
Growth	every 7 days	—	balanced (NPK), 14 days into the stage; balanced (NPK), 44 days into the stage; balanced (NPK), 74 days into the stage; balanced (NPK), 104 days into the stage; balanced (NPK), 134 days into the stage; balanced (NPK), 164 days into the stage
Winter rest	every 14 days	—	—

Growing notes

Light

Bright filtered light or dappled sun to partial shade. It tolerates more direct sun when the air is warm and humid, but then needs more water.

Soil

Grown on a slab of bark or wood, or in an open epiphytic mix such as orchid mix or sphagnum moss; drainage must be excellent, and a mix that holds too much water rots the roots.

Care

Soak the shield fronds and the growing medium, then let it dry slightly before the next watering; it rots easily if overwatered, and rainwater is best. Give less water in winter. Normal room temperatures above 13 °C suit it, with good air circulation and humidity from a bathroom or a pebble tray. In the warm months feed monthly with a diluted balanced liquid fertiliser. Do not remove the brown shield fronds until they fall off by themselves, and do not wipe the grey felt from the green fronds. Watch for scale insects and mealybugs. Pups can be detached to make new plants.

Pests and diseases of Staghorn fern

2 problems are recorded for staghorn fern; each has a page with symptoms, treatment and prevention.

Pests

Plant lists it is in

Part of: Houseplants · Houseplants safe for cats and dogs · Houseplants you rarely repot

Sources

Figures checked against these sources.