Staghorn Fern Care: The Lively Guide for Stunning, Healthy Plants

Staghorn ferns are some of the coolest plants I’ve ever grown. I’m excited to share everything I know about caring for them.

These amazing plants don’t grow in soil like most houseplants. Instead, they grow on trees in nature and can be mounted on wood or grown in hanging baskets.

The key to staghorn fern success is giving them bright, indirect light, high humidity, and proper watering that mimics their natural rainforest home. These plants are actually pretty forgiving once you understand what they need.

My staghorn fern has become one of my favorite plants because it looks so unique and different from anything else in my home. Established plants can handle some drought, so you don’t have to worry if you forget to water them sometimes.

Key Takeaways

• Staghorn ferns need bright, indirect light and high humidity to thrive indoors
• Water them about once a week in summer and every 2-3 weeks in winter
• These plants can be mounted on wood or grown in hanging baskets instead of regular pots

Getting to Know the Staghorn Fern

Staghorn ferns have two different types of fronds that do different jobs. These ferns come from warm places around the world.

Types of Fronds and Their Roles

I love how staghorn ferns have two types of fronds that look totally different. It’s like they’re two plants in one!

The shield fronds are the flat, round ones at the base. They look like pancakes stuck to whatever the fern grows on.

These fronds turn brown as they get older, and that’s normal. Shield fronds do important work:

• Hold the fern tight to trees or boards
• Catch water and food
• Protect the roots

The fertile fronds are the fun ones that look like deer antlers. These are the green, forked fronds that stick out.

They make the fern look so cool hanging on my wall. Fertile fronds have their own job:

• Make spores for new baby ferns
• Do most of the photosynthesis
• Give the fern its famous look

Both types of fronds work together. I never cut off the brown shield fronds because my staghorn fern needs them to stay healthy.

Origins and Natural Habitat

Staghorn ferns come from warm, humid places around the world. I think of them as tropical travelers that ended up in my living room.

These ferns grow wild in places like Australia, Africa, and South America. They don’t grow in soil like regular plants.

Instead, they grow attached to trees in their native sub-tropical conditions. In nature, staghorn ferns are epiphytes.

That means they grow on other plants without hurting them. They grab onto tree bark and collect water from rain and humidity in the air.

Wild staghorn ferns get:

• Filtered sunlight through tree leaves
• High humidity from tropical air
• Nutrients from decomposing leaves

This is why my staghorn fern lives mounted on a board instead of in a pot. I’m trying to copy how it would live in the wild.

Choosing the Right Spot for Your Staghorn Fern

Finding the perfect spot for your staghorn fern means getting the light and warmth just right. These plants love bright spaces but hate direct sun, and they need warm, humid air to stay healthy.

Lighting Needs

I always tell people that staghorn ferns need bright, indirect light to do their best. Think of how they grow in nature—on trees in forests where sunlight filters through leaves above them.

Best spots in your home:

• Near an east window
• Close to a north window
• A few feet back from a south window

Direct sun will burn your staghorn fern’s leaves. The leaves turned brown and crispy when I put it right in a sunny window.

Your fern can handle brighter light if you keep it well-watered, but I still avoid direct rays. A bright bathroom or kitchen often works great.

Ideal Temperature and Humidity

My staghorn ferns love it warm and humid, just like their tropical home. They want temps between 65-80°F during the day.

Temperature tips:

• Keep above 60°F at night
• Avoid cold drafts from windows
• Don’t put near heating vents

High humidity is a must for staghorn ferns. I aim for 50-70% humidity around my plants.

Ways to boost humidity:

• Use a humidifier nearby
• Place on a pebble tray with water
• Group with other plants
• Hang in your bathroom

I mist mine every few days, but not too much. Too much water sitting on the leaves can cause problems.

Mounting and Potting Methods

Staghorn ferns grow best when mounted on wood or in hanging baskets with the right materials. I always use sphagnum moss as my go-to growing medium because it holds moisture perfectly.

Mounting on Wood or Trees

I love mounting my staghorn ferns on pieces of oak or cedar wood. Young plants can start in pots but should be moved to mounts as they grow.

First, I gather a big handful of damp sphagnum moss. I shape it into a round mound on my wooden board.

Next, I gently loosen the roots with my fingers and spread them flat. The basal fronds need to touch the moss directly.

I secure everything with plastic strips or old pantyhose. Never use copper wire because it hurts the plant.

My favorite mounting materials:

• Oak boards (they last longest)
• Cedar planks
• Tree fern fiber
• Cork bark slabs

The mount needs to be big enough for the fern to grow. I always pick a board that’s twice the size of my plant’s current spread.

Potting in Baskets or Containers

Wire baskets work great for staghorn ferns too. I line my baskets with at least one inch of wet sphagnum moss.

I hang the basket sideways so the fern grows out the front. This looks really cool when baby plants called pups start growing out the sides.

The basket needs good drainage. I poke extra holes if needed.

Basket setup steps:

1. Line with thick sphagnum moss
2. Add loose peat moss mix in center
3. Place fern with roots spread out
4. Pack more moss around edges
5. Secure with wire or strips

I water my basket ferns by soaking them in the sink once a week. I let them drip dry before hanging them back up.

Best Materials: Sphagnum Moss, Peat Moss, and Oak

Sphagnum moss is my number one choice for staghorn ferns. It holds water but drains well too.

I always buy the long-fiber type because it lasts longer. Peat moss mixed with bark works for baskets.

I use about half peat moss and half chunky bark pieces. This mix stays loose and airy.

Oak wood makes the best mounts in my experience. It doesn’t rot as fast as other woods.

Cedar works great too and smells nice.

Material comparison:

Material	Best For	Pros	Cons
Sphagnum moss	All methods	Holds moisture, drains well	Needs replacing yearly
Peat moss mix	Baskets only	Cheap, easy to find	Can get too wet
Oak boards	Mounting	Lasts long, looks nice	More expensive

I never use regular potting soil. It holds too much water and the roots will rot.

Staghorn ferns need chunky, airy materials that drain fast.

Watering Your Staghorn Fern

I know watering staghorn ferns can feel tricky at first. These plants need both misting and deep soaking, and timing is everything to keep those fronds happy and healthy.

How Often to Water

I water my staghorn ferns once per week during hot, dry times and cut back to once every two weeks when it’s cooler. Your plant will tell you what it needs based on your home’s conditions.

Summer watering: Once a week
Winter watering: Every 1-2 weeks

More light means more water. If your staghorn sits in a bright spot, it will dry out faster.

Less light means less water—I always water less in winter when the days are shorter. Humidity changes everything too.

My bathroom staghorn needs less water because of all the steam from showers. Dry rooms need more frequent watering.

I check the moss around the base of my plant. When it feels dry to touch, it’s time to water.

The plant should feel light when you lift it.

Techniques: Misting vs. Soaking

I use two different methods to water my staghorn ferns. Both are important because the fronds absorb water differently than the roots.

Misting the fronds:

• Use a fine spray bottle
• Mist the whole plant
• Focus on the undersides of the antler fronds
• Spray the round shield fronds at the base

Soaking the roots:
I soak the root ball face-down in my sink for about 5 minutes. You can also hold it under running water until the roots are fully wet.

Always let your plant drip dry before hanging it back up. Water sitting on the mount can cause problems.

Signs of Overwatering and Underwatering

I’ve learned to read my staghorn’s signals over the years. The fronds will show you exactly what’s wrong.

Overwatering signs:

• Antler fronds turn brown or black at the base
• Black spots on shield fronds
• Musty smell from the root area

If I see these signs, I cut back to watering once a month until the plant recovers.

Underwatering signs:

• Antler fronds turn brown at the tips
• Fronds start to wilt or droop
• Plant feels very light when lifted

When this happens, I increase my watering right away. The good news is that staghorn ferns can bounce back from being too dry better than being too wet.

Feeding and Fertilizing

Staghorn ferns need regular feeding during their growing season to stay healthy. You can use liquid fertilizers monthly or try natural options like banana peels.

Choosing a Fertilizer

I always use liquid fertilizer for my staghorn ferns. It’s easy to control and won’t burn the roots.

Best fertilizer types:

• Balanced liquid fertilizer like 10-10-10
• 20-20-20 mix works great too
• Always dilute to 1/4 strength

When to feed:

• Feed monthly in spring and summer
• Stop feeding in winter
• Young plants need more food than old ones

I mix the liquid food with water and pour it on like I’m watering. Mature ferns only need feeding once or twice a year.

Creative Nutrient Boosts (Like Banana Peels)

My favorite trick is using banana peels. I just slip them under the shield leaves of my staghorn fern.

How I use banana peels:

• Cut peels into small pieces
• Tuck them under the brown shield leaves

They break down slowly and feed the plant. Replace them every few months.

Banana peels give lots of phosphorus and potassium, but they don’t have much nitrogen. So I add a little liquid fertilizer sometimes too.

Other natural options:

• Coffee grounds mixed into mounting moss
• Crushed eggshells for calcium
• Diluted fish water from aquariums

The banana peel method copies how staghorn ferns eat in nature. Dead leaves fall and rot around their roots in the wild.

Propagation and Division

I love making more staghorn ferns from my existing plants. The easiest way is to separate baby plants called pups that grow naturally from the main plant.

Separating Pups and Offsets

I wait until my staghorn fern grows small baby plants around its base. These pups need to be big enough to survive on their own.

I use a clean, sharp knife to cut the pup away from the mother plant. I make sure each pup has its own roots and at least 2-3 small fronds.

What I need:

• Sharp, clean knife
• Sphagnum moss
• Non-copper wire
• New mount (wood or tree bark)

I soak the sphagnum moss in water first. Then I place the moss on my new mount and set the pup on top.

I tie everything in place with wire. The baby staghorn fern will grow its flat fronds over the wire to hold itself tight.

Encouraging Healthy Growth After Division

I keep my newly divided staghorn ferns in bright shade for the first few weeks. Direct sun can stress them out while they get used to their new home.

I mist the moss every few days to keep it damp but not soaking wet. Too much water can rot the roots.

My care checklist:

• Light: Bright indirect light only
• Water: Mist 2-3 times per week
• Temperature: Keep above 60°F
• Humidity: 50-70% is perfect

I watch for new fronds to appear. New growth usually starts in 4-6 weeks if I did everything right.

Common Issues and Easy Fixes

Most staghorn fern problems come from watering mistakes or environmental stress. I’ve found that catching these issues early makes fixing them much easier.

Dealing with Browning Fronds

Brown fronds are the most common problem I see with staghorn ferns. Yellow patches on leaves often come from overwatering, which can quickly turn brown if not fixed.

Overwatering Signs:

• Soft, mushy fronds
• Brown spots spreading fast
• Bad smell from the plant

When I notice these signs, I stop watering right away. I check if the mounting material feels soggy and let it dry out completely.

Sunburn Damage: Direct sunlight can cause yellow patches that turn brown. This looks different from water damage because the brown spots are crispy, not soft.

I move my fern away from windows during summer. In winter, I can put it closer since the sun is weaker.

Natural Aging: Sometimes older fronds just turn brown and die. This is normal if only 2-3 old fronds change color each year.

Managing Pests and Diseases

I don’t see many pests on my staghorn ferns, but scale insects and mealybugs can show up. They look like small white or brown bumps on the fronds.

Treatment Steps:

1. Wipe bugs off with rubbing alcohol on a cotton swab
2. Spray with insecticidal soap weekly
3. Keep the fern away from other plants until clean

Fungal Problems: Too much moisture causes fungal issues. I see dark spots or fuzzy growth on the fronds when this happens.

Good air flow prevents most fungal problems. I make sure my fern isn’t crowded against walls or other plants.

If fungal spots appear, I cut off affected fronds right away. I also reduce watering until the plant recovers.

Solving Growth Problems

Drooping leaves usually mean watering problems. Both too much and too little water cause the same droopy look.

Underwatering Signs:

• Fronds curl up tight
• Bottom leaves droop first
• Mounting material feels bone dry

I soak the entire mount in water for 20 minutes when this happens. Then I water more often but with less water each time.

Cold Damage: Temperatures below 60°F cause leaf drop. I keep my fern away from drafty windows and air conditioning vents.

Slow Growth: If my fern stops growing new fronds, it usually needs more humidity or food. I mist around the plant daily and feed it monthly during growing season.

Root Problems: When fronds keep falling off, I check if the fern needs remounting. Large staghorns need dividing when basal fronds grow past the mount edges.

Creative Display Ideas

I’ve found that staghorn ferns look amazing when mounted on oak trees outdoors or paired with air plants for stunning indoor displays.

Using Trees Like Oak for Outdoor Beauty

I love mounting my staghorn ferns directly on oak trees in my yard. The rough bark gives the fern something to grip onto naturally.

Oak trees work best because their bark has deep grooves. I wrap the fern’s root ball in sphagnum moss first.

Then I tie it to the tree with pantyhose or soft wire. I pick spots about 4-6 feet high so I can water easily.

The fern gets filtered light through the oak leaves. This creates perfect growing conditions.

My outdoor staghorns grow much bigger than indoor ones. They get natural humidity and gentle rain.

I still need to water them during dry spells though.

Pairing with Air Plants for Dramatic Effect

I create creative staghorn fern displays by adding air plants around my mounted ferns. This makes amazing living art pieces.

Air plants attach easily to the same wooden boards I use for staghorns. I hot glue small air plants like Spanish moss around the edges.

The different textures look incredible together.

My favorite air plant combinations:

• Tillandsia xerographica for big, silvery contrast
• Spanish moss for flowing, wild looks
• Ball moss for small, round accents

Both plants need similar care. I mist them weekly and give them bright, indirect light.

I can water them by submerging the whole display in my bathtub once a month. These mixed displays work great in bathrooms or covered porches.

The humidity keeps both plant types happy.

Frequently Asked Questions

I get lots of questions about staghorn ferns from my fellow plant lovers. Most folks want to know about watering schedules and how to spot problems early.

Hey buddy, what’s the trick to keeping a staghorn fern thriving indoors?

I’ve found the secret is copying what these plants love in the wild. They need high humidity and dappled sunlight to be happy.

I keep mine in my bathroom where it gets lots of steam. If you don’t have a steamy room, I spray mine with water every day.

The light should be bright but not direct sun. I put mine near a north window where it gets gentle light all day.

Just curious, how often should one water a staghorn fern?

I water my staghorn fern about once a week in summer when it’s growing fast. In winter, I cut back to every 2 or 3 weeks.

Here’s my trick: I take the whole plant down from the wall and soak it in my sink. I let the moss ball get really wet for about 10 minutes.

Then I let it drip dry before I hang it back up. This keeps my wall from getting messy.

Any recommendations on what to do when staghorn fern leaves start turning brown?

Brown tips usually mean my plant needs more water. Brown spots at the base tell me I’m watering too much.

Don’t touch the brown shield leaves though! Those round brown leaves protect the roots and help feed the plant.

If I see black spots, that might be fungus from too much water. I use neem oil to treat this problem.

I’ve got a staghorn fern outside, how do I protect it from the cold?

I bring my staghorn inside when it gets cold. Most types can’t handle temperatures below 55 degrees.

During summer, I hang mine on my covered porch where it gets some protection. It loves the warm, humid air outside.

When fall comes, I move it back inside to a humid spot. I never leave it outside during winter.

What’s a good spot to hang my staghorn fern at home?

I look for spots that get bright but indirect light. Direct sun will burn the leaves.

My favorite spots are bathrooms, kitchens, or laundry rooms. These rooms have more humidity than other parts of my house.

I hang mine above or next to windows, not right in front of them. North-facing windows work best for me.

Help a friend out, would ya? How can I tell if I’m overwatering my staghorn fern?

I watch for brown spots at the base of the green leaves. This usually means too much water.

The moss ball should dry out between waterings. I stick my finger into the moss to check if it’s still wet.

If my plant gets mushy or starts to smell bad, I know I’ve been watering too much.