Exotic plants often get a bad rap for being high-maintenance divas. But let me introduce you to the Staghorn Fern—a surprisingly easy-going indoor plant that brings a major tropical vibe to your home. If you’re looking to level up your gardening game, don’t just stick it in a standard hanging basket. Instead, try “mounting” it for a truly stunning look.
–A Classic Epiphyte
If you grow a Staghorn Fern in a traditional pot, you’ll notice pretty quickly that it starts cascading over the edges. That’s why they’re so popular in hanging planters. However, in their natural habitat throughout the Southern Hemisphere’s tropics, these beauties are actually epiphytes. This means they thrive by growing on other plants (like trees) rather than in the dirt. You can lean into this natural habit to create some really cool, creative displays in your living room.
–Creating Visual Interest
In the wild, Staghorn roots usually anchor themselves right into tree bark. Since most of our indoor trees don’t have the thick, rugged bark needed to host a “hitchhiker,” you’ll want to find a nice piece of driftwood, a wooden board, or a large slab of cork bark to mount your fern on. If the bark has a deep crevice, you can sometimes tuck the plant right in. For flatter surfaces, you’ll need to secure it manually with some twine.
–How to Get it Done
Ready to try mounting your fern? Here are a few pro-tips to keep in mind:
- Stick to natural fibers (like jute or cotton twine) for tying the plant down.
- Don’t tie the thread too tight! You just want enough tension to hold it steady while the roots find their footing.
- Once the root system has firmly attached itself to the wood, you can carefully snip and remove the twine.
Pro Tip:
Our indoor air is way drier than the humid tropics. To make sure your Staghorn stays hydrated, tuck a little bit of moisture-wicking sphagnum moss around the base of the plant before you tie it down. It acts like a little sponge for your fern!
