STAGHORN FERN

A staghorn fern looks very much like deer or elk antlers, hence their unusual name. Native to Asia and Australia, the plants are part of the Polypodiaceae family—they grow slowly, but end up being quite large and impressive once mature. There are 17 species of Platycerium, but only one, the staghorn fern, is truly common in home cultivation.

Staghorn ferns are considered somewhat difficult to grow, but their uniqueness and wider availability make them increasingly popular among growers looking for something a bit unconventional to add to their houseplant collection. These ferns are epiphytic, which means they grow on other plants or objects for support but are not parasitic. They have two distinct leaf forms—small, flat leaves (known as shield fronds) that cover and protect the root ball structure and take up water and nutrients; and green, pronged antler fronds that emerge from this base and can reach up to 3 feet in length indoors (and larger in the wild).