How do I know if my staghorn fern needs water?

Underwatering. In warmer or sunnier environments, Staghorn Ferns typically need a little more water, and underwatering is a risk. Watch for brown spots at the tips of your fronds or wilting leaves, both of which indicate that your Staghorn is not receiving enough water.

What does an overwatered staghorn fern look like?

Staghorn ferns should be watered when the upright plants look slightly wilted. While brown, dry tissue is normal on staghorn fern's basal fronds, black or gray spots are not normal and may indicate overwatering.

Do staghorn ferns like to dry out?

Humidity. The staghorn fern is a typical jungle plant that does appreciate plenty of humidity. If your home has very dry air it might not be happy in there. Try placing the plant in one of the more humid areas of the house, like the bathroom, or run a humidifier to keep the moisture levels up.

What does a healthy staghorn fern look like?

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.

How often should I soak my staghorn fern?

Staghorn ferns are often grown mounted on wood, which makes them challenging to water. It's best to give the whole plant, including the fronds, a good soaking in your sink one to two times per week, similar to an air plant.

Staghorn Fern Care: How To Grow, Water and Care for Mounted Staghorn Ferns with Sarah Smith

How often should I mist my staghorn fern?

This indoor plant requires more humidity and water than other less sensitive houseplants, but it is well worth the extra time and devotion. It is best to soak these ferns once a week and mist them daily.

What does a dying staghorn fern look like?

If the antler fronds begin to brown or blacken at the base, this is a sign of over-watering. Reduce watering to once monthly until plant shows sign of recovery. If the antler fronds begin to brown at the tips or wilt, this is a sign of under-watering. Increase watering as needed.

How do you revive a dried out staghorn fern?

Fill the hole with sphagnum peat moss (looks like fibrous, tan moss) or homemade compost. Add a small amount of a slow-release fertilizer, such as Osmocote or Nutricote, into the hole as you add the moss or compost. This will provide nutrients and encourage growth.

Should I remove brown leaves from staghorn fern?

Remove these fronds near their base if the entire frond is dead or damaged, or just cut back to the nearest healthy portion of the foliage if only part of the frond is dead or damaged. Leave the dead and damaged basal fronds on the plant because they provide food for the fern as they decompose.

Why does my staghorn fern look droopy?

Incredibly dry soil

If you accidentally let your fern's soil dry out completely, you may see leaves go limp, droop, and possibly start to wrinkle and brown. If the soil is extremely dry all the way through the pot, a good soak is in order.

Why are my staghorn leaves curling?

Curled leaves and brown leaf-edges are the result of too little water and over-exposure to the sun. Staghorn Ferns are best located in bright, indirect settings, and those that haven't acclimatised to the harsh rays will show signs of sun-scorch and environmental shock.

How do you tell if fern is overwatered?

Stunted slow growth accompanied by yellowing leaves is also a symptom. Leaves falling off often accompanies this symptom. If your plants have yellowing leaves and old leaves, as well as new leaves that are falling at the same accelerated rate, you are overwatering.

Do staghorn ferns like shade or sun?

Staghorn ferns need lots of bright but indirect or diffused sunlight. This is best achieved by placing them next to the brightest window in the house. All directions are fine, but west-facing windows might expose the fern to too much direct afternoon sun.

Do staghorns like sun or shade?

How Much Sun Does a Staghorn Fern Need? Staghorn ferns need lots of bright but indirect or diffused sunlight. If you keep them as an indoor plant, place them near a window with bright light. Avoid west-facing windows as this might expose the fern to too much direct afternoon sun.

Where is the best place to put a staghorn?

Now you're ready to hang your staghorn! Stags thrive in bright, indirect light and require a combination of misting and watering to mimic their natural habitat. Hang your mounted plant in a bright room away from harsh rays and water about once a week.

Can you overwater a staghorn?

Since the Staghorn Fern is an epiphyte that naturally grows along tree trunks in the tropics, its roots are smaller than you might expect and are easily overwatered. This can lead to root rot and harm your plant. Keep an eye out for brown or black spots at the base of the antler fronds, which indicate overwatering.

Where should I put my staghorn fern?

Outdoor plants should be located in partial shade or low light conditions for the best growth, while indoor plants need bright indirect light. Staghorn ferns are usually grown mounted on a piece of wood or in a basket. They will need a little mound of peat, compost, or another organic matter piled up under the plant.

What is the best food for staghorns?

They can be fed by placing organic matter such as leaf litter, banana skins or compost at the back of the plant (near where it meets the backing board) or watered with a very diluted dose of SeaMax Organic Fertiliser Liquid. Elkhorns and staghorns may also benefit from watering during very hot, dry periods.

Do staghorn ferns absorb water through leaves?

Staghorn ferns absorb water through their fronds as well as the roots so be sure to soak the basal fronds and the medium. Allow some drying of the growing medium in between waterings; staghorn ferns rot easily if overwatered.

Are coffee grounds good for Staghorn?

Banana skins, coffee grounds and tea bags are excellent slow release fertilizers that you can place behind your Staghorn or Elkhorn plants.

Is Epsom salt good for staghorn ferns?

And they can lose these substances over time through watering. Epsom salt to the rescue! Epsom salt has minerals perfect for fern growth and fern care.

Do staghorn ferns do well in bathroom?

Ferns make great plants for bathrooms as they love humid, shady environments. The Staghorn Fern with its unique, fuzzy foliage and its delicate shape is a fantastic addition to any space. We've said it once and we'll say it again: moisture-loving ferns are an excellent choice for the bathroom!

Why are the tips of my staghorn fern turning brown?

Common Problem: If the antler fronds of your Staghorn Fern are turning brown, this could be because of overwatering. However, if the antler fronds are turning brown at the tips or wilt, this could be because of underwatering. Solution: Staghorn Fern doesn't tolerate overwatering.