Common staghorn fern (elkhorn fern) Platycerium bifurcatum
Common staghorn fern (elkhorn fern) (Platycerium bifurcatum) is an evergreen perennial groundcover in the Polypodiaceae family, native to Eastern Australia (Queensland, New South Wales), New Guinea and Lord Howe Island. It grows 50 cm–1 m (20 in–3.3 ft) tall and 50 cm–1 m (20 in–3.3 ft) wide, wants part sun to part shade and moderate water, and is hardy to about -2 °C (28 °F). Space plants about 60 cm (24 in) apart.
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Common staghorn fern (elkhorn fern) at a glance
| Type | Perennial groundcover, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Polypodiaceae |
| Mature height | 50 cm–1 m (20 in–3.3 ft) |
| Mature spread | 50 cm–1 m (20 in–3.3 ft) |
| Spacing | 60 cm (24 in) centre to centre |
| Sun | Part sun to part shade, at least 2 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Moderate; drought tolerance low, waterlogging tolerance none |
| Soil pH | 5–7 |
| Cold hardiness | About -2 °C (28 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 9) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 36 °C (97 °F) |
| Wind tolerance | Low |
| Pollinator value | None |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Native to | Eastern Australia (Queensland, New South Wales), New Guinea and Lord Howe Island |
| Common in gardens of | 🇦🇺 Australia, 🇺🇸 United States, 🇧🇷 Brazil, 🇿🇦 South Africa, 🇬🇧 United Kingdom, 🇩🇪 Germany, 🇹🇭 Thailand |
Is Common staghorn fern (elkhorn fern) toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not known to be toxic
- Dogs: not known to be toxic
Not poisonous to cats or dogs.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Common staghorn fern (elkhorn fern)
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like part sun to part shade and moderate water.
Questions about Common staghorn fern (elkhorn fern)
- How far apart should I plant Common staghorn fern (elkhorn fern)?
- About 60 cm (24 in) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 50 cm–1 m (20 in–3.3 ft).
- Does Common staghorn fern (elkhorn fern) need full sun?
- Part sun to part shade: at least 2 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Common staghorn fern (elkhorn fern) need?
- Moderate water. Drought tolerance is low and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Common staghorn fern (elkhorn fern)?
- It tolerates about -2 °C (28 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 9.
- Is Common staghorn fern (elkhorn fern) poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is not known to be toxic; for dogs not known to be toxic; for people not known to be toxic. Not poisonous to cats or dogs.
- What grows well with Common staghorn fern (elkhorn fern)?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Common staghorn fern (elkhorn fern). Group it with plants that like the same sun (part sun to part shade) and water (moderate).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade A (A: strong evidence).
- Plants of the World Online (taxonomy, native range), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
- PlantNET: the NSW Flora Online, National Herbarium of New South Wales, Botanic Gardens of Sydney
- UF/IFAS Extension tropical and subtropical fruit and landscape publications, University of Florida
Notes and assumptions
- An epiphyte with two kinds of fronds: round, papery shield fronds that clasp a tree or board and catch leaf litter, and grey-green forked fronds hanging like antlers. Mount it on a board or tree trunk; it takes light frost if dry.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- Crown staghorn fern Platycerium coronarium
- Creeping thyme Thymus serpyllum
- Hosta Hosta spp.
- Lamb's ear Stachys byzantina
- Stonecrop (sedum) Hylotelephium spectabile
- Sweet woodruff Galium odoratum
- Lady's mantle Alchemilla mollis
- Lungwort (pulmonaria) Pulmonaria officinalis