Platycerium bifurcatum ‘Netherlands’, also known as the staghorn fern, is a striking houseplant that immediately catches the eye with its unique shape. The staghorn fern has two types of leaves: round shield leaves at the base, which help retain moisture and nutrients, and elegant antler-like fronds that grow outward.


In the wild, staghorn ferns grow on tree trunks in the tropical forests of Australia, New Guinea, and Southeast Asia. They live as epiphytes, drawing nutrients from the air, rain, and organic material around them, which makes them easy to grow even with minimal soil.


The staghorn fern prefers bright, indirect light, avoiding direct sunlight. It thrives at temperatures between 15 and 25°C. Fertilization is rarely necessary, but during spring and summer you can feed it once a month with a light dose of houseplant fertilizer to encourage growth.