The most widely grown of all the staghorns. A hardy species from the east coast of Australia up to New Guinea, it can withstand outdoor winter conditions in much of Florida and warmer areas of the south and west with brief dips to freezing. The flat shield or sterile fronds form a smooth, rounded mound on the surface of a tree or on a slab, from which the long, deeply incised or ‘finger-like’ fertile fronds emerge. The fertile fronds can be up to 3 feet long and the clump as a whole can reach truly giant proportions.

In Florida massive clumps, suspended from chains around tree limbs, can be seen in many gardens. Easily grown on wood plaques, solid or slatted, in orchid baskets, on driftwood or nearly any substrate that is sturdy enough. Open shade is best but some direct sun is okay, water enough to keep moist but not wet. Let dry some between watering.

Asplenium antiquum ‘Japanese Birdnest‘  This is one of the most widely grown forms of birdnest ferns due to it’s compact size, beautiful form with many narrow leaves in a in a gracefully arching rosette. Suitable for shaded gardens, growing as an epiphyte in trees or on mounts, indoor culture or terrarium use when small.

Neither a moss nor a fern, this handsome little creeping plant from Africa is a delight for the terrarium. It also makes a great windowsill plant, and thrives in shaded gardens as a groundcover. Loves abundant moisture and grows into dense mats of delicate stems with leaves of varying shades of green with golden yellow tips to the branches.

The ‘Netherlands’ clone of Platycerium bifurcatum is a selected cultivar of this species that has become the most widely produced. Developed to be hardier, with stiffer leaves and more forgiving of ‘eratic’ watering, especially the nemsis of most ferns; overwatering. Physically it looks like the common form, but with a bit more silvery color and deeper incised fronds that reach about two feet long.

Like the typical form it can withstand outdoor winter conditions in much of Florida and warmer areas of the south and west and is exceedingly easy to grow. Please note that our 4 inch potted plants are big enough to mount to a plaque or basket and are a best choice as a starter for that purpose.

An attractive Chinese species with iridescent bluish foliage that reflects shades of reddish in strong light. A fast grower that forms a spreading dense carpet. Prefers warm, moist and bright conditions. An outstanding terrarium plant or garden groundcover.