Staghorn Fern

Staghorn Fern Care

Platycerium wallichii

What is the plant

If you are not afraid of plant challenges and want to decorate your home with an exotic plant, buy Indian Staghorn.

Indian Staghorn looks like deer horns. This is an exotic plant native to Asia and Australia, and it is pretty demanding in care; however, having reached adulthood, it pleases with its extraordinary appearance.

Platycerium wallichii can grow up to 3 feet tall and wide (90 cm). This plant has no flowers but has luxurious broad leaves.

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Humidity

High

Lighting

Part Sun

Temperature

17°C - 25°C

Hardiness zone

9b - 12

Difficulty

Easy

How to Care for the Plant

Water
Platycerium wallichii likes frequent watering, but the soil should still dry out a little. Proper watering involves immersing the plant in a water container for 10-20 minutes. If the leaves turn brown, you have overwatered your plant.
Pruning
The best way to propagate Platycerium wallichii is to divide a large plant into several smaller ones that include the leaf and roots. Monitor the air temperature and humidity level.
Fertilizer
Feed it monthly with a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer to stimulate the plant's growth. The best time for this is spring and summer when Platycerium is actively growing.

Disease diagnosis

Check your plant’s health

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Sunlight
Indian Staghorn does not like a lot of sunlight, so it is best to keep them in partial or total shade. Direct sunlight can burn the fragile leaves of the plant, so be careful choosing the place for this Platycerium.
Soil
You can grow this fern in moist soil, but then it must be a mature plant. But we can identify Platycerium as a representative of epiphytes that grow on trees in nature. Therefore, the best option is to place your Indian Staghorn on wood, making a mount from peat, compost, or moss.
Temperature
This plant likes moisture and heat, although it can withstand short-term frosts. If your plant is young, ensure the temperature is between 50-100ºF (10-37ºC).

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Container
Indian Staghorn does not need a traditional pot because they grow better on a piece of wood. Therefore, take care of a convenient wooden stand for your plant.
Fun fact
These plants use the trees only as a support, without parasitizing them.
Additional
All ferns love moisture and should be given humid conditions. In living rooms and family rooms, stand their pots on trays of damp pebbles or clay granules. Ferns also love being misted at regular intervals with tepid, soft water unless the humidity of the whole room is kept high through the use of a humidifier.