Scientific Name
Platycerium superbum (proud, broad-horned plant)
Common Name
Giant Staghorn Fern, Staghorn Fern
Origin
Native to Australia, specifically rainforests in Queensland and New South Wales.
Description
This unusual variety of staghorn fern is perfect if you love the staghorn's aesthetic and are looking for more of a challenge than the usual P. bifurcatum. It stands out with its huge leaves, which grow up and then down, broadening and folding over itself. This staghorn loves a high-humidity environment but is sensitive to overwatering, so take care when watering that it's ready and won't get soggy. These ferns are epiphytes in the wild, growing onto tree trunks. This variety's leaves have adapted to spread over a tree trunk, and will look great mounted or hanging in your home, where you can enjoy the unusual shape of the foliage. Choose this plant to really add interest to your home!
Light
The superbum likes brighter light than the average staghorn, so make sure it's in a bright spot, although still with not more than a couple of hours of morning or evening sun at most. It will benefit from a little extra sun in autumn and winter.
Water
Staghorn ferns do not like to sit in soggy soil; they are naturally epiphytic, so their roots are used to being on the outside of a tree rather than in the ground. Make sure at least the top third dries out in between waters. It will bounce back much easier from under-watering than over-watering!
Humidity
Likes fairly moist air; will appreciate an occasional mist, and don't put it near a radiator.
Soil
A mix designed for orchids or anthuriums will serve your staghorn fern well; added bark will help its roots stay ventilated. Repot every few years in spring as the plant grows. It will also do well mounted in sphagnum moss to better display its magnificent foliage and mimic its epiphytic habitat.
Food
Feed every six weeks with a houseplant fertiliser; don't overdo it on these delicate roots!
Temperature
Ideally likes temperatures of 10-26°C, but it can withstand temperatures as low as -1°C.
Pet-safe
Yes, but too much nibbling won't be good for pets, small humans or the plant!
Sprouts Top Tips
To make sure its roots don't sit soggy, hydrate them by soaking in lukewarm water for several minutes every week or so and then gently shaking to empty any crevices. This species can be susceptible to overwatering, and due to this and the shape of the leaves, bottom watering will be the best way to water it.
Plant arrived in very poor condition, had been wrapped in soggy wet tissue causing the leaves to go brown and soggy . Had to cut half of them off and unsure if this will now survive. I won’t order from here again.
Thanks for your review - we have contacted you twice to work out what happened in this instance as this is not the quality we would expect from one of our plants so we wanted to work out what had happened, but we have not received a reponse back. We do offer a 7 day plant guantee and recommend our customers getting in touch as soon as a plant is delivered if there is an issue so we can put this right. Thanks
A lifestyle, gift, and plant shop, based in Bristol. Trying to make a difference to our customers, employees, suppliers, and community by following the three P’s of business; people, planet, profit; in that order.
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Sprouts of Bristol
2 Kingsdown Parade
Bristol
BS6 5UD
Store Hours
Open everyday 10am - 6pm
Apart from bank holidays
10am - 6pm
Had a desire box was ok but one plant not potted.. others very small.. rescue box from else’s where bigger plants and stronger looking
Had to grab this one as the pastel green was so pretty. There is a water resivour at the bottom to stop plants sitting in water so its perfect for orchids but at the moment I'm using it for another plant.
Wanted one of these for ages so I had to jump at the size and price of this plant. Stunning large leaves and has already grown loads
Lovely little plant beautifully packaged. Arrived in perfect condition at a great price. Thank you so much :)
I bought a 'medium' and what arrived was a very generously sized plant which I was very happy with . Plant was in good condition, and was very carefully wrapped for shipping.