Michigan State University Extension
Ornamental Plants plus Version 2.0 - 00001130
01/01/98
Type: house plant
Comments: Staghorn Fern is one of the more unusual and challenging house plants. It grows without its roots in soil and produces 2 types of fronds. One type is the branched frond that gives the plant its name. The other round, flat frond forms a collar around the branched fronds. The round frond may be 3 to 4 inches across on young plants but 3 to 4 feet across on older plants. The plant is mounted on a slab of redwood, pine, or cork. The flat round frond is the basal frond and is wired onto the slab. A mixture of peat moss, oak leaves and chopped sphagnum moss is put between the basal frond and the wood slab. Keep the plant moderately moist. Little fertilizer is needed but once a year place fresh potting mixture between the slab and the basal frond. Ideal temperatures are between 60 degrees and 80 degrees. Avoid spraying the leaves.
Propagation: Propagation is by plantlets produced at the base of the plant.