Part plant, part living sculpture. Platycerium bifurcatum, the Staghorn Fern, produces two types of frond: flat, shield-like basal fronds that grip the mounting surface, and long, forked, antler-shaped fertile fronds that arch outward. The fertile fronds are covered in a fine, silvery-white fuzz that gives them a soft, feltish appearance. It is naturally epiphytic, growing on tree trunks in the wild, and looks its best mounted on a board rather than in a traditional pot.
Live Arrival Guarantee
All plants are covered by our 7-day live arrival guarantee. We pack every order in protective, sustainable packaging designed to keep your plants safe in transit, and every plant is checked before it ships. On the rare occasion something is not right on arrival, we will make it good, provided the plant is still in its original nursery pot.
Your quick reference for choosing the right plant size. We group our plants by the diameter of their nursery pots which gives you a consistent way to understand scale.
5–8cm
Mini
Small but full of charm. These compact plants are perfect for desks, windowsills, and small shelves, or for building out a collection over time. Ideal if you enjoy watching your plants grow from the beginning. Approx. height: 10–20cm
9–11cm
Small
A step up in presence, great for side tables, shelves, or styling in clusters. Easy to move around and perfect for adding greenery without taking up too much space. Approx. height: 25–35cm
12–14cm
Medium
Our most versatile size. Works beautifully on shelves, desks, and plant stands, offering a fuller look without dominating a space. A great balance between impact and flexibility. Approx. height: 25–50cm
15–18cm
Large
More established plants with fuller foliage and stronger structure. Ideal for creating soft focal points in a room. Great for corners, beside furniture, or as standalone features. Approx. height: 40–70cm
19+cm
Extra Large
Big, impactful plants designed for floors and open spaces. These are your statement pieces and are perfect for anchoring a room or transforming a corner with instant greenery. Approx. height: 60cm–1.3m
Pots that fit this plant
We recommend
How to care for Staghorn Fern
Give me bright light out of the midday sun and water me when the top of my soil feels dry.
In their words
What our customers say
EP
Emily P.
Arrived just like the photos - maybe even fuller. Healthy, well-acclimated, and straight into my collection with no issues.
JR
James R.
Flawless leaves, stunning variegation, and clearly cared for by experts. It’s already a talking point in my home office.
SL
Sophie L.
Hard to find rare plants that are pet-safe. Ours arrived in perfect condition and looks amazing without any worry.
Get to know me
About Staghorn Fern
Platycerium bifurcatum is an easy-care houseplant. It needs bright indirect light, watering once the top 2 to 3cm of compost has dried out, a little extra humidity and a minimum temperature of 10°C. It is listed as non-toxic to cats and dogs.
This plant grows best in bright, indirect light or dappled shade. Keep it away from direct sun, which can scorch its delicate leaves. For healthy growth and vibrant foliage, place it near a north-facing or east-facing window where it will receive plenty of filtered light.Read moreShow less
This plant grows best in bright, indirect light or dappled shade. Keep it away from direct sun, which can scorch its delicate leaves. For healthy growth and vibrant foliage, place it near a north-facing or east-facing window where it will receive plenty of filtered light.
Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Water your plant when the top 1/3 to 1/2 of the soil feels slightly dry, and always ensure the pot has good drainage. Avoid soggy soil or standing water, and do not let the plant dry out completely, as steady moisture is essential for healthy growth.Read moreShow less
Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Water your plant when the top 1/3 to 1/2 of the soil feels slightly dry, and always ensure the pot has good drainage. Avoid soggy soil or standing water, and do not let the plant dry out completely, as steady moisture is essential for healthy growth.
Humidity
Average homeHigh humidity
Prefers a little extra humidity
This plant will tolerate normal household humidity, but performs best with slightly higher levels. Like all tropical plants, good humidity levels help support healthy growth and keep the foliage healthy. If you have a particularly dry home, grouping plants together can help to increase humidity.Read moreShow less
This plant will tolerate normal household humidity, but performs best with slightly higher levels. Like all tropical plants, good humidity levels help support healthy growth and keep the foliage healthy. If you have a particularly dry home, grouping plants together can help to increase humidity.
Keep above 10°C · Happy at normal room temperature
This plant grows best in warm temperatures between 18°C and 26°C. Keep it away from cold draughts and avoid temperatures below 15°C, as cooler conditions can stress the plant and affect healthy growth.Read moreShow less
This plant grows best in warm temperatures between 18°C and 26°C. Keep it away from cold draughts and avoid temperatures below 15°C, as cooler conditions can stress the plant and affect healthy growth.
Feeding
Feed monthly with a balanced fertiliser from spring to autumn, and let it rest over winter.
Soil & Substrate
As an epiphyte, this fern does best mounted on a board with a pad of sphagnum moss behind the basal fronds. If growing in a pot, our Fern Premium Potting Mix provides the open, free-draining structure it needs.
Listed as non-toxic to cats and dogs. Plants still are not food, so a determined chewer may get an upset stomach.
Origins
Native to the tropical and subtropical regions of Australia, Southeast Asia, and the Pacific Islands, Platycerium bifurcatum grows on tree trunks and branches in warm, humid forest canopy. It is the most widely cultivated and easiest to grow of all the staghorn ferns.
Yes. This plant is listed as non-toxic to cats and dogs, so it's a good choice for homes with pets. Even so, plants aren't food, so a keen chewer could still get an upset stomach. If you're worried, speak to your vet.
We aim to avoid using pesticides where possible, but we can't control the whole supply chain.
If the plant is going into a vivarium, terrarium or aquarium with live animals, rinse the leaves and roots well, remove any soil and let the plant dry out before adding it. We'd also suggest keeping it away from animals for a month first.
Can I see a photo of the exact plant I'll receive?
We're not able to send photos of individual plants or let you choose a specific one, as plants are selected by our team when your order is packed. Our photos show the variety and the kind of plant you can expect, and yours may vary a little in height, shape or fullness.
If a size has a code next to it, such as 9cm / B2, you're buying the exact plant pictured.
Does my plant come with a pot?
Your plant will arrive in its nursery grow pot — the plastic pot it's been growing in. We don't include a decorative pot as standard, and there's a good reason for that: it means you get to choose one that fits your space and style, rather than being stuck with something that doesn't suit your home.
It also means you're not paying extra for a pot you might not want. The nursery pot is perfectly fine to keep your plant in for a while, just pop it inside a decorative cover pot or cache pot and you're good to go. When you're ready to repot (usually after a growing season or when roots start poking out the bottom), you can move it into something more permanent with fresh soil.
If you're not sure what size cover pot to go for, check the pot selector tool listed above, you'll want a decorative pot that's a centimetre or two wider than that to give it a comfortable fit.
How big will my plant be when it arrives?
Every plant on our site includes the pot size (e.g. 12cm) and, where possible, an approximate height. That's the most reliable way to set your expectations, photos can sometimes make a plant look larger or smaller than it really is.
If you're thinking "that sounds quite small for the price," here's something worth knowing: younger, smaller plants almost always adapt better to your home than larger ones. They adjust faster to your light and humidity, put out new growth more quickly, and tend to establish stronger root systems long-term. A plant that grows into your space will usually outperform one that was already big when it arrived.
That said, every plant is an individual. The one you receive may vary slightly in height, shape, or fullness compared to the photo, that's the nature of living things, not a quality issue. We select healthy, well-established specimens, and if you ever feel your plant doesn't match what you were expecting, just get in touch and we'll take a look.
What makes your plants different from the supermarket or garden centre?
There's a big difference between a plant that's been sitting under on a retail shelf and one that's been looked after and cared for by people who specialise in exactly this.
Our plants are grown in house or sourced from specialist nurseries, many of them varieties you simply won't find at your local garden centre or supermarket. Before anything leaves us, it's checked over by our horticultural team to make sure it's healthy, well-rooted, and ready to thrive in your home. We're not shifting volume off a pallet, we're choosing plants we'd want to keep ourselves.
When you buy from a supermarket, you get a plant and a generic care label. When you buy from us, you get the knowledge that comes with it, detailed care guidance, a team you can actually contact if something isn't going right, and the confidence that what's arriving has been looked after properly from the moment it was grown to the moment it reaches your door.
We're a specialist nursery first, not a retailer that happens to sell plants. That's the difference, and you'll see it the moment you open the box.
What should I do when my plant arrives?
First things first, unbox it as soon as you can. Plants don't love being in dark boxes any more than you would, and the sooner yours is out and breathing, the better.
Remove all the packaging carefully, give the soil a check with your finger, and water lightly if it feels dry. Then find it a spot with appropriate light, but avoid putting it straight into harsh direct sun or next to a radiator. Think of it like arriving somewhere new after a long journey: it needs a moment to adjust.
It's completely normal for your plant to look a little tired or droopy after transit. This is called transit stress, and most plants bounce back within a week or two. You might see a yellow leaf or some drooping, don't panic, and resist the urge to overwater or start repotting straight away.
Our advice for the first couple of weeks: leave it in its nursery pot, water it only when the top layer of soil feels dry, and let it acclimatise to your home's light, temperature, and humidity. Once it's settled in and showing signs of new growth, you can think about repotting or moving it to its permanent spot.
Every plant we sell comes with a care guide on the product page so you'll know exactly what it needs going forward. And if anything doesn't look right, get in touch with our team, we're always happy to help.
Will my plant survive being shipped?
Yes! and we go to serious lengths to make sure of it. Every plant is hand-packed by our team with protective wrapping and secure, custom-designed boxes to keep it stable and safe in transit. We've shipped hundreds of thousands of plants across the UK and our packaging methods have been refined over years to handle the bumps and jolts of delivery.
During colder months, we monitor weather forecasts and offer heat packs where needed to protect against frost. In extreme conditions, we may hold your order for a day or two rather than risk sending it out, we'd rather you wait an extra day than receive a stressed plant.
That said, plants are living things, and the occasional transit wobble can happen. If your plant arrives damaged or isn't in the condition you'd expect, just get in touch within 7 days with a photo, and we'll make it right, whether that's a replacement or a full refund. No fuss.
The short version: we treat every box like it's going to someone who really cares about what's inside, because it is.
Staghorn ferns are easier than their architectural shape suggests. This guide covers mounting, watering, light, feeding, and the Platycerium cultivars worth growing indoors.
Every order is hand-packed in eco-friendly, protective packaging - refined through thousands of deliveries to ensure your plant arrives healthy, hydrated, and looking its best.
Backed by our Live Arrival Guarantee.
Perfect for Gifting
From rare collector’s pieces to easy-care favourites, our plants arrive fully potted and ready to enjoy. Add a personalised note at checkout for a thoughtful finishing touch.
Delivered fresh, beautiful, and gift-ready.
Sustainability at Heart
All plants are ethically sourced from trusted growers, never wild-collected. Every order ships carbon-neutral in minimal-waste packaging.
Good for your home - and the planet.
Verified reviews
Rated by real customers
Customers praised this fern as "big, beautiful, healthy" with excellent quality and size. Reviews highlight "fantastic quality" packaging and quick delivery. Plants arrive in "mint condition" and are described as "prehistoric" statement pieces perfect for mounting. One shopper found it "too little," but most were thrilled with sizing and value.
Big, beautiful, healthy and in great condition!
So well packaged. Came in mint condition as always! Always great quality.
Beautiful good size small plant, fantastic quality
5 stars: 27 (96%)
4 stars: 0 (0%)
3 stars: 1 (4%)
2 stars: 0 (0%)
1 star: 0 (0%)
R
Rowan Thompson (United Kingdom)
Bought my Platycerium Bifurcatum from Growtropicals a few months ago, and it’s still going strong, great size plant and it’s now living its best life mounted on some cork bark.
L
Lucifer m.
Amazing plant
Love the size and so well packaged. Came in mint condition as always with grow tropical! Always great quality. It looks so prehistoric it’s going to look lovely when I get it mounted.
A
Amy-Louise A.
Beautiful good size small plant,
Beautiful good size small plant, fantastic quality I am hoping I can grow this into a real statement piece.
plant love
M
Margarita K.
Lovely!!!
Lovely!!!
N
NATHAN T.
Best place for plants
Best Quality
Good size's
Plant love
B
Bernadeth H.
Happy
So cute can't wait they thrive my home
S
STEVEN F.
My crested geko and me
My crested geko and me thank you for the brilliant plants thank you
P
Pawel
Big, beautiful, healthy and in great condition!
P
Pawel
Big, beautiful, healthy and in great condition!
L
L K.
Brilliant quality! Beautiful.
Brilliant quality! Beautiful.
O
Ollie G.
Lovely plants have been sent
Lovely plants have been sent out in premium packaging which arrived very quickly. If anything, the packaging could be slightly reduced in size or change up for something more sustainable? Polystyrene is great but could use card shredding for parts of the package?
Thank you an excellent and enjoyable experience
w
william b.
High quality supplier
Healthy plants, very well packaged, quick delivery, I would recommend highly.
S
Sharon C.
I received one beautiful,well packaged
I received one beautiful,well packaged platycerium bifurcatum. . lovely healthy leaf’s and as usual pest free. . thanks house of kojo:blush:
J
Jan B.
Plant is a very healthy
Plant is a very healthy specimen, great size to grow on. Will most definitely be buying from them again.
J
Jessica K.
Lovely, quality plant. Arrived promptly
Lovely, quality plant. Arrived promptly and was easy to mount.
H
Helen B.
Huge healthy plant love it
Huge healthy plant love it
S
Steve M.
Very healthy plant, good price
Very healthy plant, good price and well packed.
J
Jan C.
Really unusual fern, a real
Really unusual fern, a real conversation piece. Doesn’t seem overly fussy.
N
Natalie L.
Great quality plant, packed well
Great quality plant, packed well and delivered quickly
S
Seosamh C.
Lovely plant, exactly as described.
Lovely plant, exactly as described. Well packaged and promptly delivered. Very satisfied
C
Cornelia G.
It's a little one, so
It's a little one, so I'll see how it grows.
C
Conrad W.
Healthy and large
Large beautiful plant extremely healthy great packaging
K
Kerry P.
Perfect size
Not ready for a large one .So this is perfect .
B
Bettina M.
Well worth the money large
Well worth the money large healthy plant .
Thank you
S
Serge
Quick dispatch, beautiful plant and very well protected in packaging!
S
Serge
Quick dispatch, beautiful plant and very well protected in packaging!
B
Bobbie L.
had this plant on my
had this plant on my wish list for a while now, finally caved and so happy i did. i chose the 6cm to be on the sage side as it’s a new plant and wow!!! lovely little plant, full for its size. well packaged. will be buying from this seller again.
