Staghorn ferns are stunning, exotic plants that add style and personality to any plant lovers’ room or workspace, but you’ll find a Staghorn fern plant rare and challenging to come by. They may be the priciest plants expensive right now, but what makes them so unique? Staghorns are epiphytic plants that grow on trees and other surfaces.
But why are Staghorn Ferns so expensive? Australian native staghorn ferns have broad trunk and fronds that emerge at various angles. A central vein is on top of each of the approximately ten leaflets that make up each frond. In our guide, you can find out why there are such large Staghorn fern prices.
By the end, you’ll see many things that go to make up costs that are hugely more than your average house plant. You’ll also see that getting a Baby Staghorn fern is worth keeping as it could be valuable compared to other ferns’ cost. (Read Why Are Under Counter Can Openers So Expensive)
Why Are Staghorn Ferns So Expensive
The beautiful ferns of this plant species are remarkable. However, you’ll find this plant species tend to be costly, and here are the primary reasons for this.
It Is A Rare Plant
Staghorn plant prices are high for this exotic plant. If you’re wondering why are staghorn ferns so expensive? The primary cause is that they don’t grow in farmed environments such as a cultivated environment like a garden center or nursery, which drives up their cost.
The staghorn fern is more challenging to locate than the other ferns and conventional house plants. It takes time for them to mature into full-grown plants, which must be grown in a greenhouse. These ferns are expensive besides being rare. Fewer ferns are available for purchase than more popular houseplants because they aren’t mass-produced.
They Are Challenging To Propagate
Staghorn ferns acquire their lovely shape and graceful appearance thanks to the soil and environment in the natural habitat they originate from.
You will have trouble propagating the plant if you try to grow it outside of these areas. But, you may ask, are Staghorn Ferns rare? They take a very long time to develop and establish your home, unlike Boston Ferns, so there are not as many growing.
To save the hassle of propagating, many people have these plants installed by qualified landscapers or designers, which raises the price compared to most other house plants.
Before you can prune each portion on its own, it may take three years. Staghorn ferns are, therefore, in short supply. In addition, because of the growing demand, these ferns are becoming more expensive.
Staghorns Make a Popular Interior Plant
Staghorn ferns are pricy because they are expensive to grow and uncommon, but, there is another reason. Staghorn ferns are among the most popular indoor plants for growing them. You can cultivate these lovely plants wherever in your house.
Staghorn ferns are a popular choice for indoor plants because of how simple they are to maintain and how well they can tolerate a variety of environmental factors.
These beautiful plants don’t have a season, which contributes significantly to their price. However, they thrive all seasons and year after year if you provide enough indirect sunlight and humidity. (Read Why Are Aluminum Lawn Chairs So Expensive)
High Levels of Disease Resistance
Besides its uncomplicated beauty, Staghorn Ferns are among the hardiest plants on the planet. In some regions of their natural habitat, they can persist even in deforested areas where other plants cannot.
They also resist pests, plant diseases, and drought conditions that can kill many other fern. These ferns are a perfect addition to your home if it has poor air quality or is dry, as they can thrive with little water and exposure to the sun. Their disease resistance makes them desirable for usage in nursing homes or hospitals and contributes to their high cost.
Used to Purify Indoor Air
The reason that Staghorn Ferns are natural air cleaners is one reason they are so expensive.
They eliminate dust mites, pet dander, mold spores, pet odor from interior spaces, and dangerous chemicals like formaldehyde and benzene from brand-new furniture and building materials.
So these plants are excellent for enhancing the air quality within your home.
The more Staghorn Fern foliage you have around your home to filter the air, the less likely it is that these dangerous dust particles will come in contact with your skin. Your home’s air becomes safe to breathe.
Used for Medicinal Use
Staghorn fern has been used as a garden plant for a long time, but its more recent application in Eastern medicine may help to explain why its price has skyrocketed.
Despite the lack of scientific support, practitioners have advised using Staghorn Fern to treat conditions like high blood pressure and hair loss. It is also supposed to have tonic characteristics with high medicinal value.
These plants were named because they might treat epilepsy, now known as “staggers.” In China, staghorn ferns were also employed as a contraceptive.
Fertilizer Use
During the growth period, Staghorn Ferns need more specific fertilizers than most plants. As a result, they’re hard to get and require a lot of fertilizer. Mixing is also challenging.
Staghorn ferns are expensive and difficult to maintain, which makes rare plants expensive.
But the fern’s beauty is worth the cost. The plant is worth buying. You must maintain the plant carefully.
Where Does Staghorn Fern Grow?
Native to Africa, staghorn ferns are usually found there. Australia and Southeast Asia also have ferns.
These ferns prefer shaded areas, and the plants can survive with little to enough water from other trees; thus, they cling to them.
Staghorn ferns thrive well in native areas, like many other ferns. They need little water or food, only shade. Hence, ferns are more common in Africa. (Read Inexpensive Privacy Fence Ideas)
How Do You Care For A Staghorn Fern?
The lovely staghorn fern is grown and cared for with interest as interior plants.
The Platycerium genus contains roughly 18 fern ferns, some of which are recognized as Staghorn ferns (Platycerium bifurcatum, for example). In contrast, others are more difficult to cultivate and are typically only cultivated by enthusiasts or collectors.
Platycerium bifurcatum is the variety of staghorn fern that is most usually found in plant shops and garden centers, even though there are other varieties.
Here are a few ways you can care for your plants.
Plant Near Large Trees:
Given that these ferns need support, you can plant the fern close to any big tree. The tree with which the fern is entangled will be its water source and nutrients.
Grow in Hanging Basket:
You can grow them in a hanging basket, wire baskets, or frame. In this manner, the shield-like fronds will dry quickly and guard the plant’s roots.
Despite the fern plant’s reputation as a low-maintenance plant, Staghorn ferns need some considerations when caring for the staghorn plant:
Adequate Watering:
To modify the amount of watering given to the plant, it is crucial to examine the roots and the color of the leaves—Water Staghorn ferns when the soil dries.
However, water more frequently in hot weather if you’re growing your fern outdoors because they will dry out more quickly.
Light:
Keep your staghorn fern healthy by providing it with bright, indirect light.
If you look to own Staghorn fern plants, you’ll find they can’t live on artificial light and have to sit near a window to survive, yet not sitting in direct sunlight.
Feeding:
More fertilizer should apply to young staghorn ferns than to older ferns. Fertilizing an established staghorn fern twice weekly should be plenty.
One natural way to feed them potassium is adding banana peels under their leaves, which add nutrients as they break down.
Soil/Potting Mix
The finest potting soil for growing Staghorn ferns should contain charcoal or some other porous material.
The fern should only be watered when the potting mix dries out. It should be well-draining but not soggy.
Humidity
Staghorn ferns need to be kept moist yet in a warm environment. Their optimum habitats are humid ones. Their leaves will wrinkle and become brown in a dry environment. By sprinkling them with water or setting them on a pebble tray, you may boost the humidity in the area.
You’ll also find these are not frost-hardy plants, and your Staghorn ferns require warmth and will need to be indoors once it gets cold.
Common Problems Of Staghorn Ferns
Staghorn fern children are usually not adversely impacted by pests or diseases, but they may contract spider mites or the fungus mark if surrounding houseplants are infested. A Staghorn fern that has been infected will have a dark discoloration caused by either excessive humidity or migrating fungal spores.
Use neem oil or other natural fungicides to treat the infected fern. Aphids and scale insects like mealybugs are also pests of the staghorn fern. Spray the plant gently with insecticidal soap to get rid of these pests. Black leaf spot, also known as Rhizoctonia, is a fungal disease susceptible to it. Trim the plants’ afflicted areas, then squirt a light fungicide all over them to treat them.
Do Staghorn Ferns Need Mounting?
Adult plants need to be affixed to a board or hung in a hanging basket; however, immature staghorn ferns can be grown in pots. Staghorn ferns are epiphytic plants, like air plants, so in their native habitats, they grow on other plants or tree trunks, unlike other house plants.
In the tropics or warmer regions of the US, staghorn ferns grow to enormous sizes and protrude from trees. Their fronds take up water and nutrients, and their roots keep them planted, unlike contemporary plants that need planting.
What soil do you need to grow staghorn ferns?
These exotic-looking plants can be grown in containers but not in soil. Staghorn ferns prefer a well-draining organic medium. Mix orchid bark and cactus potting mix 50/50 or add sphagnum moss is ideal for helping mimic their natural environment. (Learn How Deep Are Gas Lines Buried)
How much do staghorn ferns cost?
Staghorn ferns are a rare and expensive plant species. The unusual plant requires careful attention, is hugely expensive compared to similar plants, and can reach up to a few hundred dollars per plant.
How big do staghorn ferns get?
Staghorn ferns grow swiftly or slowly, depending on the species and culture. The most popular variety, great Staghorn, is considered the easiest to grow. Its fronds (forked antlers) can grow to 6 feet long.
How fast do staghorn ferns grow?
The pace of growth of a staghorn fern tropical plant varies according to the species and culture; none grow particularly quickly.
Because epiphytic ferns grow so slowly, prominent examples are expensive and easy targets for burglars.
What are staghorn fern pups?
Small plantlets grown as staghorn fern pups have the potential to grow into mature plants. This is because, under the dry shield, ferns are linked to the plant’s lower side.
How do you get rid of staghorn ferns?
The primary means to grow staghorn ferns is through Staghorn Fern propagation.
Removing staghorn fern pup from this epiphytic fern is easy and high.
The cutoff point should be a minimum of 4 inches (10 cm) across the pup.
Cut the pup with some roots connected away from where it is stuck beneath the brown shield fronds using a sharp knife.
Conclusion
Staghorn ferns are among nature’s most exquisitely designed plants. But unfortunately, they are not as inexpensive to keep or as easy to care for as one may believe like many plants.
These ferns need to be kept in an environment that can meet their needs for a medium with high humidity and regular water flow. They are uncommon and well-liked houseplants as well. These factors collectively explain why Staghorn ferns are so expensive.
These ferns frequently cost more than most people would prefer to spend on a plant. Fortunately, there are economical approaches to preserving them. The young fronds of your Staghorn Ferns should remain proper year-long with the proper lighting and ventilation.
