Do Staghorn Ferns Need Acid?

Strikingly Different

• The scientific name of this plant means "broad horn" or "twice-forked" which is the perfect way to describe these striking ferns. The ferns feature two different types of fronds. The first resembles antlers that grow out of the top of the plant, which gives the staghorn fern its common name. The second set of fronds wrap around the branched fronds. Both types of fronds are covered with tiny hairs, which protect the plants from insects, helps them conserve moisture and gives them a distinctive silvery hue.

Acidic Conditions

• Not only do staghorn ferns differ in appearance from other ferns, but also they are epiphytic plants. They do not take water and nutrients from the soil, but instead get them from the air. This doesn't mean that they don't need acid, however. They actually thrive in slightly acidic conditions. A good way to give a staghorn fern some acid is to add 1/2 teaspoon of vinegar to a quart of water, according to an article published in the "Los Angeles Times." Use that water when it's time to water your staghorn fern.

Other Growing Conditions

• In the wild, staghorn ferns grow on tree trunks. For this reason, many home gardeners mount their ferns on large pieces of bark, or grow them in wire baskets lined with sphagnum peat moss and hung sideways. Sphagnum peat moss has a pH level of about 4.0, which is firmly in the acidic range, and it can also hold up to 20 times its weight in water, according to the Iowa State University Extension. To water your staghorn fern, dunk the entire thing in the vinegar and water once a week, so that the sphagnum peat moss can absorb the water, and then let it drain. Lukewarm rainwater or other soft water is best. Staghorn ferns also benefit from a daily light misting of their fronds.

Climate and Temperatures

• Staghorn ferns grow best in warm temperatures and in bright but indirect light, such as light filtered through the leaves of trees. They are native to tropical areas around the world, including the Philippines, parts of Southeast Asia, Australia, Africa and parts of America, according to the University of Florida IFAS Extension. Outdoors, staghorn ferns thrive in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 9 through 11, although this can vary by species. The common staghorn grows best in USDA zones 9 through 12. Staghorn ferns prefer daytime temperatures that average around 75 degrees Fahrenheit, with nighttime drops to around 50 degrees Fahrenheit, although the common staghorn can tolerate brief temperature dips as low as 24 degrees Fahrenheit.