Platycerium veitchii ‘Silver’ [mounted]

silver staghorn fern
Silver staghorn fern tolerates more sun and drought. Shield fronds grow tall thin fingers above the antler-like fertile fronds. Attaches to rocks, wood; expands as side pups appear.
synonyms Platycerium bifurcatum subsp. veitchii
height 2–4ft
width 1–2ft
tolerates Drought, Heat
water
needs		 Low – Moderate
water
info		 This lithophytic (clings to rocks) fern is one of the most drought-tolerant and should go completely dry between waterings without skipping a beat. It’s easier to kill this species with kindness—excessive watering—than with neglect.

Silver staghorn ferns evolved their sconce-like shape to funnel rainwater into their root zone, where accumulated leaf litter holds moisture and releases nutrients. Outdoors, simulate this by watering from above. Alternatively, you can dunk it in a bucket of water and allow the plant to drain completely before returning it to its place.

If you are in a cool climate, use restraint in watering as lingering dampness in the crown can lead to rot.
hardy
to		 27F
exposure Part Shade – Full Sun
indoor
outdoor		 Outdoor
drainage Orchid Bark, Requires Perfect Drainage
fertilizing All Purpose 1/2 Strength, Low Needs
origin Queensland, Australia
california
native		 No
sunset
zones		 13, 15–H2

Sunset Zones Map

Outdoor Exposure Guide

OUTDOOR EXPOSURE GUIDE

Full Sun
Six or more hours of sun beams directly landing on the plant's leaves.

Part Shade
Three to five hours of sun beams directly landing on the plant's leaves.

Part Sun
One to two hours of sun beams directly landing on the plants leaves.

Full Shade
The plant is never fully lit by sun beams, but is in a bright spot or has dappled sunbeams playing over the leaves throughout the day.

Deep Shade
The plant never has dappled light on the leaves, and is in a place that feels dim, even on a nice sunny day.

SUNSET ZONES MAP

Growing Notes

Grow mounted on a wood panel, a tree trunk, or on a significant vertical rock surface.
This fern’s preference for infrequent watering and sunny, bright exposures can be unnerving if you’re accustomed to most ferns’ love of regular, frequent irrigation and shade.
Its close cousin, Platycerium bifurcatum, also prefers to dry out a bit between waterings but this species likes to go drier.
Its tolerance of high light exposure can also surprise gardeners who expect a tropical epiphyte to thrive in deeper shade.
Larger plants will develop secondary growths that can eventually be divided from the primary mass to establish in other parts of the garden or to share with friends.

Special Interest

The picturesque fingers extending upward from the shield fronds, especially on plants grown hard, with higher light and longer dry spells, sets this species apart.

More Info

Members of the genus Platycerium can be found as epiphytes (growing on other plants, mostly the trunks and branches of trees and shrubs) and as lithophytes (growing on rocks, often on vertical faces). This species tends more often to grow on rocks in the sun for at least part of the day.