About
Platycerium veitchii, the silver elkhorn fern, is an epiphytic fern with thick, grey-green fronds covered in a dense layer of white, felt-like hairs giving a striking silvery appearance. Long, slim, finger-like upper fronds and rounded, nest-forming lower fronds. Tolerant of drought and high light levels. An ideal terrarium or mounted fern for a warm, bright position.
About the genus
Platycerium, the staghorn or elkhorn ferns, are evergreen, epiphytic ferns with short rhizomes and two distinct frond types: rounded or heart-shaped, nest-forming sterile fronds and pendent, grey-green, repeatedly forked fertile fronds bearing brown spore patches. Dramatic foliage plants for warm, humid, shaded positions.
Plant details
Suggested usesShade gardens, woodland, containers.
Care notes
CultivationPlant in moist, humus-rich soil in shade.
PruningRemove old fronds in spring.
PropagationPropagate by division, cuttings, or seed.
Pest resistanceGenerally pest-free.
Disease resistanceGenerally disease-resistant.