Genus · Polypodiaceae
Platycerium
2 species tracked in Horta’s catalog, and the named cultivars growers keep. Walk down to a species for its full care record, or into a cultivar for its traits and provenance.
Species in this genus
The ones growers meet most — each links to its own page.
Platycerium bifurcatum
Elkhorn Fern
An epiphytic staghorn fern from humid forests of Australia and the western Pacific, where it grows mounted on bark rather than in soil. Its roots want airflow and drain fast, so they rot if kept wet; water when the mounting medium or root mass feels dry to the touch and has lost most of its weight, then let it approach dryness again. Give it warmth, bright indirect light, and good air movement rather than direct sun.
Platycerium superbum
Staghorn Fern
Platycerium superbum is an epiphytic staghorn fern from the subtropical and tropical forests of eastern Australia, where it perches on tree trunks rather than rooting in soil. Mount it on a board or grow it in a fast-draining, airy medium and water by soaking the root mass, then let it approach dryness before watering again — water when the mount or medium feels light and nearly dry rather than on a fixed schedule. It wants bright indirect light, good airflow, and steady humidity, and will rot if left sitting wet.
About the genus
A genus-level overview — shared traits, history, the botany that ties these plants together — is on its way. For now, the species and cultivars above and below carry the genus.
Kept true by its growers
Platycerium keeps evolving — species move, cultivars appear, IDs get corrected. If you can place an unplaced plant or add a species we’re missing, the whole genus gets truer.
Overview derived from 2 tracked species · the contribute flow arrives with the next slice.