Elkhorn Fern

Elkhorn Fern (Platycerium bifurcatum) is the Australian native epiphyte that grows on trees rather than in soil. Overlapping shield fronds clasp the surface it sits on, and antler shaped fronds spill outward to about 80cm tall and a metre across as the clump builds. Mounted on a board it turns a shaded wall, fence or tree trunk into a feature, and it is not toxic to cats or dogs.

Why you'll love it

• It grows on a wall, not in a bed. Mounted on a board or tied to a tree, it uses vertical space that nothing else can.
• Native and pet friendly. An east coast Australian species, safe around cats and dogs, and at home in a garden of local plants.
• Slow and forgiving. Drought tolerant once established, and a missed watering does no lasting harm.
• It clumps up over time. New pups form around the edge, so one plant becomes a broad colony you can divide and share.

Where it works best

Feature planting on trees and walls. Mount it on a hardwood board on a shaded south or east facing wall, or tie it to a rough barked tree where it will attach itself.

Balconies and courtyards. A shaded courtyard wall is close to its natural position, and it takes up no ground at all.

Indoors and in pots. It grows in a hanging basket in bright indirect light. Use an open bark based mix, never standard potting mix.

Growing elkhorn fern in Australia

Position and climate. Bright shade or filtered light, the same conditions it gets under a rainforest canopy. Direct sun burns the fronds. It suits tropical, subtropical and warm temperate gardens and takes light frost only, so cool districts need it under a verandah or indoors.

Mounting rather than planting. Set it on a hardwood board with sphagnum moss or coir behind the shield fronds, then tie it on with soft twine until the roots grip. Once attached, leave it alone.

Water. Soak the whole mount weekly in warm weather and every two or three weeks over winter, then let it dry between soakings. Constant wet is what kills them, not drought.

Feed. Very little. A weak liquid feed once in spring and once in summer, or a handful of compost tucked behind the shield fronds, is all it needs.

What to expect when it arrives

This fern is grown in three sizes: tube stock, 140mm pots in packs of ten and 200mm pots in packs of six. Every one arrives potted rather than mounted, so plan to mount it yourself in the first season. Tubes are small and the slowest route, though they are the value choice for several. The 140mm and 200mm plants have shield fronds already and mount straight onto a board.

Ferns travel well because the fronds are leathery, though a bent tip is normal. Water on arrival and keep it out of direct sun. Growth is slow, so expect one or two new fronds in the first season. Delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Every plant is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• Getting fern growing conditions right
• Browse ferns for shaded positions
• More Australian native plants
• Plants that are safe around pets

Common questions

What is the difference between an elkhorn and a staghorn?

An elkhorn forms a clump of many small plants with narrow divided fronds, while a staghorn grows as one large plant with a single crown. Elkhorns are the easier of the two to establish.

How do I mount one on a board?

Lay a pad of sphagnum moss on a hardwood board, sit the root ball on it with the shield fronds against the wood, and tie it firmly with old stocking. Cut the ties away once the roots grip, usually within a year.

How often does it need watering?

Soak the mount weekly through the warm months and every two to three weeks in winter, letting it dry in between. Blackened bases mean it is staying too wet.