Staghorn Fern - 6"
Staghorn Fern - 6"
Here's a fun one: Platycerium bifurcatum, or the Staghorn Fern, which is aptly named for its antler-like leaf shape. It's characterized by its two separate types of leaves: The first are shield fronds, which rest on top of the root ball to cover and protect it while drawing nutrients and water; the second are pronged antler fronds that emerge from the base and can grow over 3 feet long indoors.
Care: The staghorn prefers shady spots that receive filtered light, so keep it away from direct sunlight. Most of our plants require well-draining soil in order to grow properly, but the staghorn fern is a little different in that it is an epiphyte. Epiphytes grow on the sides of other plants in their natural habitat, so your fern should be mounted with some sort of moss, peat, compost, or other material to a board after acclimatizing to your environment. You should water your mounted fern frequently, but allow the base to dry out between waterings. They absolutely crave a humid environment, so it would be wise to place in a bathroom or other humid spot in your home.
The staghorn fern is considered an invasive species in Florida and Hawaii, so please refrain from planting outdoors.