Can staghorn ferns stand the Cold?
Staghorn ferns and cold weather do not work, though a few varieties can tolerate very short periods of temperatures down to 30 F. (-1 C.). Staghorn ferns also need a partly shaded or shaded location. Shady areas of the garden can sometimes be cooler than the rest of the garden, so keep this in mind when placing a staghorn fern.
What temperature is too cold for ferns?
On the coldest end of the scale, hardy ferns can survive temperatures down to minus 50 degrees Fahrenheit. However, hardy ferns in USDA zones 2 through 6, tend to be semi-evergreen. In most cases, it is safe to leave many hardy ferns outdoors all winter long. A few, however, are only cold-hardy to USDA zones 6 or 7.
How fast do staghorn ferns grow during the summer?
Staghorn Fern Care
- Light. Staghorn ferns prefer to be kept in a location that boasts consistent, shaded light. ...
- Soil. Though young ferns may be started in a moist traditional potting mixture, staghorn ferns should be mounted once they progress towards maturity.
- Water. ...
- Temperature and Humidity. ...
- Fertilizer. ...
How to grow a staghorn fern indoors or outdoors?
YOU MAY ALSO ENJOY:
- Repotting Basics: Basics Beginning Gardeners Need To Know
- 15 Easy To Grow Houseplants
- A Guide To Watering Indoor Plants
- 7 Easy Care Floor Plants For Beginning Houseplant Gardeners
- 10 Easy Care Houseplants For Low Light
See more
Are staghorn ferns freeze tolerant?
Most staghorn ferns thrive in warm to hot temperatures and will start to fail at about 55 F. (13 C.). They will die at or above freezing temperatures if they don't have adequate protection.
Can staghorn ferns live outside?
Staghorn ferns can be grown outdoors year-round in tropical areas, US growing zones 9 and 10. They can be grown on trees, rocks or in hanging baskets. Mount your fern somewhere that is light but shielded from direct sunlight. Take a handful of sphagnum moss and make it into a ball that is 4 to 6 inches in diameter.
Can ferns survive 30 degree weather?
Boston ferns planted in the ground may survive temperatures as low as 30 degrees, although the top growth will be killed to the ground.
Where do you put a staghorn fern outside?
Optimal staghorn fern outdoor conditions are a part shade to shady location with plenty of humidity and temperatures that stay between 60-80 degrees F. (16-27 C.). Although young staghorn ferns may be sold in pots with soil, they cannot survive very long like this, as their roots will quickly rot.
Are coffee grounds good for staghorn ferns?
Q. Are coffee grounds good for staghorn ferns? In limited amounts, coffee grounds can help boost soil acidity and organic content of the growing media.
How cold is too cold for ferns to be outside?
Boston ferns thrive in temperatures in the 60s and 70s but can tolerate an occasional blast of cold air of 40 to 50 degrees for a few hours. Once a month in spring and summer, feed them a water-soluble houseplant fertilizer. In spring, large plants can easily be divided and repotted.
What temperature is too cold for ferns to be outside?
One of the oldest plants in the world, Boston Ferns like bright but indirect sunlight and optimum temperatures of 60°F – 75°F /15°C – 24°C but will tolerate temperatures as low as 50°F /10°C.
How much cold can ferns tolerate?
On the coldest end of the scale, hardy ferns can survive temperatures down to minus 50 degrees Fahrenheit. However, hardy ferns in USDA zones 2 through 6, tend to be semi-evergreen. In most cases, it is safe to leave many hardy ferns outdoors all winter long. A few, however, are only cold-hardy to USDA zones 6 or 7.
What temperature should I plant a staghorn fern?
Ideal daytime temperatures for this plant will be somewhere in the region of 80° F, dropping to around 60° F overnight. There are 18 varieties of Staghorn Fern, and most of these are not cold hardy, though there are some exceptions. The Platycerium alcicorne and the Platycerium hillii can tolerate occasional low temperatures of 40° F, ...
How to keep a staghorn fern healthy?
The brown sterile leaves of the plant absorb moisture from the air as a means of supplying itself with water, so very dry air will not benefit the Staghorn Fern. One easy way to increase the humidity in your home is to use an electric humidifier, which releases tiny water particles into the air. This would be particularly beneficial if you have several humidity-loving houseplants.
What is a sterile fern?
The sterile leaves are also referred to as shield leaves, as they grow around the root ball, protecting it. When the Staghorn Fern is grown as a houseplant or outside in a garden, the way you water it will depend on the growing medium you have used. In most instances, the plant will be growing on sphagnum moss.
How do you know if a staghorn fern needs water?
In order to understand the watering requirements of the Staghorn Fern, you need to understand a little about the science of the plant and how it absorbs moisture and nutrients. The Fern has two types of leaves: fertile and sterile. On a mature Staghorn Fern, it is easy to quickly distinguish between the two because the fertile leaves are the long antler-shaped green leaves, while the sterile leaves are the brown and dry looking leaves at the base of the plant.
What is the best medium for a staghorn fern?
Many people choose to mount their Staghorn Fern on a wooden board or hang it from a wide basket. In these instances, sphagnum moss is generally the best growing medium. Fix it to your board or basket with wires, and then, securely attach your plant on top of this.
Why don't you remove brown leaves from a staghorn fern?
They fulfill a very important purpose to the survival of the plant, so it’s vital that you don’t remove the brown leaves. The primary function of the fertile leaves is reproduction. They produce spores from which new Staghorn Ferns can be grown. The sterile leaves are how the plant feeds itself and protects itself.
What is a staghorn fern?
The Staghorn Fern is an unusual plant, being both an air plant and a fern, though it bears little resemblance to most ferns. In its natural environment of tropical forests, the plant grows on tree trunks or rocks, absorbing moisture from the humid air and collecting nutrients from the falling leaves of overhead trees.
Where do staghorn ferns live?
Staghorn ferns, on the otherhand, are native to the tropics -- the species that we most commonly feature, Platycerium bifurcatum, is native to Australia. Staghorn ferns need bright, indirect or diffused light to thrive, though they must be protected from the harsh rays of the direct sun.
How to keep a staghorn fern from misting?
If your staghorn fern is in a space where it receives lots of ambient humidity, like a bathroom, you’ll probably be able to reduce your misting and watering. More light or heat = more watering. During the summer, be especially attentive to your stag.
How to get rid of staghorn fern?
Soaking your staghorn fern. Soak your staghorn fern in a sink or basin of water for 10-20 minutes, or until the roots are fully saturated.
What is the second type of fern?
The second type of staghorn fern frond is called the shield frond. These are the round, hard plate-like leaves that surround the base of the plant. Their function is to protect the plant roots, and take up water and nutrients. These fronds start out green, but eventually turn brown and dry up. This is a totally normal part ...
How many species of staghorn fern are there?
There are about 12,000 fern species, and ferns are amongst the most ancient plants.
What are staghorn fern leaves called?
Fern leaves are actually called fronds , and staghorn ferns have two types. The first, and most prominent, is the “antler” frond - these are the large, bifurcated leaves that shoot out of the center of the plant, and from which staghorn ferns get their names, since they resemble the antlers of deer or moose.
What is the final part of a staghorn fern?
The final part of the staghorn fern is the root ball. Since stags are epiphytes, their root systems are fairly minimal, and help the plant attach to its home. Because the roots are so minimal, staghorn ferns need extensive drainage and are particularly susceptible to root rot.
How cold can a staghorn fern survive?
There are a couple of exceptions, such as the bifurcatum variety that can survive temperatures as low as 30 F. (1 C.). Most staghorn ferns thrive in warm to hot temperatures and will start to fail at about 55 F. (13 C.). They will die at or above freezing temperatures if they don’t have adequate protection. Gardeners in zone 10, for instance, may ...
Why do my plants turn brown in winter?
The plants go dormant in the winter, which means growing slows, a frond or two might drop off and, in the case of some varieties, the basal fronds turn brown. This is normal and the sign of a perfectly healthy plant.
Is a staghorn fern frost hardy?
Printer Friendly Version. Image by hereswendy. Staghorn ferns are beautiful specimen plants that can be great conversation pieces. They are not at all frost hardy, however, so special care needs to be taken by most gardeners to ensure that they survive the winter and get a chance to reach that imposing size they can be known to attain.
Can staghorn ferns be kept outside?
Gardeners in zone 10, for instance, may be able to keep their plants outdoors all winter long if they are in a protected area such as under the roof of a porch or the canopy of a tree. If temperatures are likely to fall near freezing, however, overwintering staghorn ferns means bringing them indoors.
What is the best soil for staghorn ferns?
The soil medium should allow free drainage of water. For Staghorn ferns mounted on wood, sphagnum moss is the best growing medium. For plants growing in pots, never use a standard pot mix. Applying a mixture of orchid bark and cactus soil will work best. Fertilizer is an essential part of a Staghorn fern’s care. In the natural habitat, Staghorn ferns collect vital nutrients from decomposed leaves. Staghorn ferns growing indoors or in the garden should be supplied with dilute liquid feed with a ration of 1:1. The frequency can be adjusted to once a month.
How does dry air affect staghorn ferns?
Besides, dry air promotes loosing of water through transpiration. It is upon the enthusiasts of the plant to devise strategies to raise the humidity to 70-80 percent. The easiest approach to improve humidity is misting the sterile leaves. Alternatively, you can use electric humidifiers or a tray of water and pebbles under the pot.
How often should I water a staghorn fern?
This implies their water requirements are strict – they should be kept moist but never overwatered. The rule of thumb suggests they should be watered once or twice a week.
Is a staghorn fern a perennial?
The Staghorn Fern (Platycerium spp) is a fern non-flowering perennial with two types of leaves; heart-shaped and antler-shaped leaves. With origins from tropical Australia and New Guinea forests, they thrive in warm environments with high humidity. Studies show that the plant prefers growing in shades with filtered, indirect light. An advantage of the Staghorn fern is that it can be grown as an outdoor plant or an indoor plant.
What is a staghorn fern?
Staghorn ferns are a type of fern that has long growing shoots, which are used to search for light, water and nutrients. The staghorn fern will grow rapidly as they search for these things. They have made a popular addition to offices as they can grow and reach hanging baskets or water bowls. There are some varieties that will grow on a shelf.
2. Platycerium alcicorne
This staghorn fern variety is also known as the Fishbone Fern or Sword Fern.
4. Platycerium superbum (The Great Staghorn Fern)
The Great Staghorn Fern is one of the three most cultivated staghorn fern varieties. It is often grown on a shelf or hanging basket from New Zealand to Northern Queensland, where it grows wild in forests.
9. Platycerium holttumianum
This staghorn fern variety is native to Australia and can be found in humid rain forests and tropical areas of Northern Territory, Queensland and New South Wales.
Conclusion
Staghorn ferns are some of the plants that are commonly grown in humid environments or places where they get indirect sunlight and water on a daily basis. They can be found in areas that are native to the United States, New Zealand, Indonesia and Malaysia.
