Crown staghorn fern Platycerium coronarium
Crown staghorn fern (Platycerium coronarium) is an evergreen perennial shrub in the Polypodiaceae family, native to Southern Myanmar and Thailand to Peninsular Malaysia, Singapore, Borneo and the Philippines (high in the canopy). It grows 60 cm–2 m (24 in–6.6 ft) tall and 1–1.5 m (3.3–4.9 ft) wide, wants part sun to part shade and moderate water, and is hardy to about 10 °C (50 °F). Space plants about 1.2 m (3.9 ft) apart.
Plan Crown staghorn fern in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Crown staghorn fern at a glance
| Type | Perennial shrub, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Polypodiaceae |
| Mature height | 60 cm–2 m (24 in–6.6 ft) |
| Mature spread | 1–1.5 m (3.3–4.9 ft) |
| Spacing | 1.2 m (3.9 ft) centre to centre |
| Sun | Part sun to part shade, at least 3 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Moderate; drought tolerance moderate, waterlogging tolerance none |
| Soil pH | 5–7 |
| Cold hardiness | About 10 °C (50 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 12) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 35 °C (95 °F) |
| Wind tolerance | Low |
| Pollinator value | None |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Native to | Southern Myanmar and Thailand to Peninsular Malaysia, Singapore, Borneo and the Philippines (high in the canopy) |
| Common in gardens of | 🇸🇬 Singapore, 🇹🇭 Thailand |
Is Crown staghorn fern toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not known to be toxic
- Dogs: not known to be toxic
Staghorn ferns are listed as non-toxic to cats and dogs (ASPCA).
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 Crown staghorn fern
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like part sun to part shade and moderate water.
See Crown staghorn fern in a botanical garden
It grows in these sample gardens, which you can walk through in 3D:
- UC Botanical Garden, Berkeley (2 plants)
- Singapore Botanic Gardens (5 plants)
Questions about Crown staghorn fern
- How far apart should I plant Crown staghorn fern?
- About 1.2 m (3.9 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 1–1.5 m (3.3–4.9 ft).
- Does Crown staghorn fern need full sun?
- Part sun to part shade: at least 3 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Crown staghorn fern need?
- Moderate water. Drought tolerance is moderate and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Crown staghorn fern?
- It tolerates about 10 °C (50 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 12.
- Is Crown staghorn 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. Staghorn ferns are listed as non-toxic to cats and dogs (ASPCA).
- What grows well with Crown staghorn fern?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Crown staghorn fern. Group it with plants that like the same sun (part sun to part shade) and water (moderate).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade B (B: extension service or peer-reviewed).
- Flora & Fauna Web, National Parks Board, Singapore
- Plants of the World Online (taxonomy, native range), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
- ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List, ASPCA
Notes and assumptions
- Tropical lowland plant: outdoors only where it never frosts (as in Singapore); elsewhere it needs a heated glasshouse.
- Epiphyte: grows on branches in nature; in a garden it is tied onto trees, tree-fern trunks or rock, or grown in very open bark mix.
- Upright "nest" fronds clasp the branch; the fertile fronds hang down 1–2 m in forked ribbons.
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
- Common staghorn fern (elkhorn fern) Platycerium bifurcatum
- Bigleaf hydrangea Hydrangea macrophylla
- Rhododendron Rhododendron
- Boxwood Buxus sempervirens
- Oleander Nerium oleander
- Common ninebark Physocarpus opulifolius
- Camellia Camellia japonica
- Gardenia Gardenia jasminoides