Platycerium
Platycerium bifurcatum
common staghorn fern
- Latin
- Platycerium bifurcatum
- Chinese
- 二叉鹿角蕨
- Japanese
- ビフルカツム
- English
- common staghorn fern
Platycerium bifurcatum, the common staghorn fern, is an eastern Australian epiphyte and the most forgiving species in the genus. Rounded shield fronds, repeatedly forked fertile fronds and a steady supply of pups let it build large clumps over the years. Trade forms such as 'Netherlands' and 'Mt. Lewis' descend from it. A beginner's plant worth growing well.
Care notes
Native habitat
Platycerium bifurcatum grows along the east coast of Australia, from southern New South Wales to northern Queensland and Lord Howe Island, on tree trunks and occasionally rock in coastal hills and low mountains. Warm days, cool nights, and a mount that dries quickly after rain. That is why the common staghorn fern tolerates almost any bright room, and why it has naturalised in places as far apart as Hawaii, New Zealand and Taiwan.
Light
Bright, filtered light to a few hours of gentle sun; this is one of the most light-tolerant species in the genus. Morning sun is fine. Behind glass in summer, screen the midday hours. In too little light the fertile fronds stretch, droop and fork less.
Water and humidity
Let the mount go light and dry, then soak it. Roughly weekly in summer, every two to three weeks in winter. 50–70% humidity is enough; airflow matters more than misting, and daily misting is the usual cause of a rotten crown.
Medium and mounting
Temperature and seasons (temperate, indoor)
Happiest between 15 and 30 °C. In a temperate home it lives indoors from autumn to spring and can summer outside in shade. Sources put the safe minimum around 5 °C; established plants have shrugged off brief dips near freezing, but sporelings and freshly mounted plants should not be tested. Reduce water in winter, not light.
Common problems
- Shield fronds turning brown and papery: normal ageing, leave them on.
- Scorched frond tips: too much direct sun or dry, moving air from a heater.
- Scale insects under the shield rim and between pups: scrape off, improve airflow.
- Board overrun by pups: remount onto something larger or divide.
Collector notes
Frond expression. The retail staple 'Netherlands' has short, broad, densely forked fertile fronds and is the sensible first plant. 'Mt. Lewis' has narrow fronds with raised veins and is the most searched bifurcatum form; its identity is debated, and a 2021 study matched it to the older 'Venose Frond' clone, so treat the name as a trade selection rather than settled botany.
Clumps and crowns. The value of this species is not rarity but scale. A five-year colony with stacked shields has a presence no rare species can match.
FAQ
Is the 'Netherlands' staghorn the same as Platycerium bifurcatum?
Yes. 'Netherlands' is a trade selection of *Platycerium bifurcatum* with shorter, broader, densely forked fertile fronds. It is what most garden centres sell as a staghorn fern. It is not a separate species, and its care is identical to the wild type.
What is Platycerium 'Mt. Lewis' and how does it differ from ordinary bifurcatum?
'Mt. Lewis' is a bifurcatum-group selection with narrow, elongated fertile fronds and conspicuously raised veins, giving a leaner outline than 'Netherlands'. Its origin is debated; a 2021 study matched it to the older clone 'Venose Frond'. Treat it as a trade selection, not a distinct species.
How cold can a common staghorn fern take?
It is among the hardiest species in the genus. Most references give a safe floor of about 5 °C, and established plants have survived brief dips near freezing. Keep it dry-ish and out of cold wind in winter; sporelings and freshly mounted plants should come indoors.
How do I tell Platycerium bifurcatum from P. hillii?
Bifurcatum has grey-green fertile fronds with a felt of stellate hairs, deeper forks and a drooping habit. Hillii is glossy dark green, nearly hairless, with shallow, short forks and a more upright stance. Both pup freely, and hybrids between them are common.
When can I remove a pup from a common staghorn fern?
Wait until the pup has formed its own shield frond, has two or three fronds and roots gripping the medium, usually a year or more after mounting. Late spring to early autumn gives the best success. Or leave it: a clump is often the better display.
Currently available
Plants of this species you can take home now.