Growing Staghorn Ferns 25 Years and Counting

October 1, 2025
Larry Hurley
House Plants, Inspiration, Public Gardens
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Larry Hurleys 25 year old Staghorn Fern hanging under a tree — Larry Hurleys 25 year old stag horn fern

This week’s photos are of Staghorn Ferns. Staghorns (in particular, Platycerium bifurcatum) are epiphytic tropical ferns native to rainforests in New Guinea, Indonesia and northeastern Australia. As epiphytes, they live attached to tree trunks and branches.

They are an easy-to-grow houseplant. Mine is about 25 years old, and getting sort of large. In the summer I hang it under a spruce tree, where it gets watered about once every other week. iIn the cold months it lies in a large plastic plant saucer taking up a three foot counter in our lower level, by a sink and a window. Once a week I pour some water on it, and maybe some dilute fertilizer. They thrive on neglect; or at least survive.

Here in Madison, Wisconsin, there is a nice public garden, Olbrich Botanical Gardens. One of their outdoor displays mimics the classic northwoods hunting shack which might have a display of deer antlers or stuffed deer heads. (Deer hunting is a big deal in our state, right up there with Cheese and Packers.)

In a whimsical homage to our hunting heritage, Olbrich decorates the wall with Staghorn Ferns.

Madison, Wisconsin, , Olbrich Botanical Gardens Staghorn Fern display

Larry Hurley

Larry Hurley worked at Behnke Nurseries from 1984 until the business was composted in 2019, primarily with the perennial department in growing, buying and sales.

Before landing at Behnke’s, he worked as a technician in a tissue culture lab, a houseplant “expert” at a florist shop, and inventory controller at a wholesale nursery in Dallas. With this and that, ten years passed.

When his wife Carolyn accepted a position at Georgetown University, Larry was hired at Behnke’s for the perennial growing department and garden center at Behnke’s Largo location.

In 2021, Larry and Carolyn moved back to Wisconsin to be closer to family and further from traffic. After 37 years in a shaded yard in Maryland, he is happy to have a sunny lot where he can grow all sorts of new perennials, if only he can keep the rabbits at bay. He also enjoys cooking, traveling, and the snowblower.