Good elephant ear staghorn fern care starts with warmth and humidity. This species, P. elephantotis, has broad fan-shaped fronds that look like elephant ears. Unlike the forked antler fronds on a common staghorn, these wide fans give your plant a bold tropical look. You need to keep it warmer and more humid than the common staghorn most people own.
Here are a few elephant ear fern growing tips if you're new to this species. This fern comes from warm African forests. It does not handle cold the way a common staghorn does. P. bifurcatum can survive brief dips near freezing. Your P. elephantotis will start to suffer below 60°F (15.5°C). Keep it far from cold drafts and air conditioning vents at all times.
I grew one of these on my living room wall for two years and learned about its warmth needs the hard way. When I first got it I placed it near a drafty window during winter. The frond tips turned black within a week. After I moved it to a warm interior wall the plant bounced back with a fresh shield frond within two months. That taught me placement matters more for this species than for any other staghorn I've owned.
Platycerium elephantotis care differs from standard staghorn care in a few key ways. You need to keep your humidity above 60% at all times. That's higher than the 50% minimum that common staghorns tolerate. Mist your plant daily in dry rooms or set up a humidifier nearby. Your ideal temp range sits between 65-85°F (18-29°C) with no sudden drops at night. Give your fern bright filtered light to keep the fronds healthy.
You water this fern the same soak-and-dry way as other staghorns. But you need to keep the moss a bit more moist between soakings. Soak your mount once a week and mist between soakings when the moss feels dry. Feed with a half-strength balanced fertilizer once per month from spring through early fall. Stop feeding in winter when your plant's growth slows down.
Mount your elephant ear staghorn on a board or basket that gives those wide fronds room to spread. A 12-inch or larger board works well for young plants. Pack plenty of sphagnum moss behind the root ball to hold moisture. Hang it on a warm interior wall away from vents and drafts. Give it steady warmth, good humidity, and regular water. Your plant will produce those dramatic fan-shaped fronds that make it one of the most striking staghorns you can grow.
Read the full article: Staghorn Fern: 8 Species, Mounting, and Care
