How to Mount a Potted Staghorn Fern

Staghorn ferns, Platycerium species, are unique among ferns because of their unusual appearance. They have two types of fronds: basal fronds, or circular collars, which clasp the growing substrate, and foliar fronds, which are lobed or strap-shaped. In their native jungle habitats, staghorn ferns are epiphytes – plants that grow on tree trunks and branches, in the absence of soil, without parasitizing host trees. They are irrigated by rainwater and fertilized by leachate from decaying leaves and decomposing insects. This growth habit makes them perfectly suited for mounting on wood and growing inside the home. As tropical plants, staghorn ferns can be grown outside year-round in tropical climates only.

Potted staghorn fern
Round, slab or branch from water-resistant wood
Large self-leveling sawtooth hanger or a wire hanger
Long-fiber sphagnum peat moss
Hammer
Eight 1/2-inch headed steel nails
Clear fishing line

Instructions

- 1
  Choose a mounting material, preferably a water-resistant wood. Use a round, slab or branch of cypress, cedar or redwood. Allow for the fern’s growth by selecting a mount that is at least three times larger than the fern’s basal frond, or circular collar. On the back side of your mount, affix a large self-leveling sawtooth hanger or a wire hanger.
- 2
  Remove the staghorn fern from its pot. Dislodge the potting medium slowly, being careful not to tear the fern’s roots. Rinse the fern’s roots thoroughly.
- 3
  Make a nest of damp, long-fiber sphagnum peat moss in the center of your mount that is larger than the fern’s collar. Hammer eight 1/2-inch headed steel nails equidistant around the edges of the moss, to a 1/4-inch depth.
- 4
  Spread out roots of the fern radially so that they look like wheel spokes. Place the fern gently in the center of the sphagnum moss nest.
- 5
  Take clear fishing line and knot it around one of the nails. Draw the line over the fern toward the nail directly opposite, gently placing it on top of the fern’s collar. Wind the line around the nail several times, removing the slack in the line to hold the fern against the moss.
- 6
  Take the free end of the line and wind it several times around the next nail. Draw the line over the fern toward its opposite nail, removing the slack to hold the fern against the moss.
- 7
  Continue making this star pattern until all nails are secured with fishing line. Make a double knot in the fishing line around the last nail to secure the end. Trim fishing line close to the first and last nails. Drive all nails flush with the mount so that the fishing line does not pull free.
- 8
  Pull edges of the moss over the nail heads. Press moss firmly in place. Hang mount in a location with bright light, but no direct sunlight.

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