Platycerium superbum - Giant Staghorn Fern

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!

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.

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.