Foong SiQi Staghorn Fern

🌿 The Foong SiQi Staghorn Fern (Platycerium bifurcatum 'Foong SiQi') is a captivating epiphytic fern belonging to the family Polypodiaceae. Native to the tropical and subtropical rainforests of Australia, New Guinea, and parts of Southeast Asia, this fern naturally grows attached to tree trunks and branches, absorbing moisture and nutrients from the air and rain. With its distinctive antler-shaped fronds and unique shield fronds, this variety offers a sculptural presence that brings a touch of the wild into your home. It's an intermediate-level plant, requiring some attention to humidity and mounting, but rewarding you with dramatic growth and an unmistakable prehistoric charm. Here's a fun fact: staghorn ferns have two types of fronds—the flat, brown shield fronds that attach to surfaces and protect the roots, and the green, antler-shaped fertile fronds that grow outward and produce spores on their undersides.
FOLIAGE AND GROWTH HABIT
This fern has an epiphytic growth habit, meaning it naturally grows on other plants rather than in soil. The Foong SiQi variety produces broad, antler-shaped fronds that arch gracefully outward, creating a striking display. The fronds are a rich green colour with a slightly leathery texture and are covered in fine silvery hairs that give them a soft, velvety appearance. The shield fronds start out green and gradually turn brown as they mature, forming a protective base that hugs whatever surface the fern is mounted on. Over time, multiple layers of these shield fronds build up, creating a nest-like structure that holds moisture and organic matter.
FLOWER DETAILS
Staghorn ferns do not produce flowers. As ferns, they reproduce through spores rather than seeds. The fertile fronds develop brownish spore patches on their undersides as they mature, which is a natural part of the plant's reproductive cycle. While there are no blooms to admire, the architectural beauty of the fronds themselves provides year-round visual interest and a conversation-starting focal point in any room.
CARE INSTRUCTIONS
🌞 Light: Bright, indirect light is ideal. This fern tolerates some morning sun but avoid harsh afternoon rays. Aim for 4-6 hours of filtered light daily. It can adapt to medium light but growth will slow.
💧 Water: Water by soaking the root ball and shield fronds thoroughly once a week in warmer months, every 10-14 days in winter. The best method is to unmount and soak in a basin for 10-15 minutes, then allow to drain completely. Mist the fronds lightly between waterings to maintain humidity.
🌡️ Humidity: Prefers 50-70% humidity. In dry homes, mist regularly or place near a humidifier. Brown frond tips indicate low humidity.
🪴 Soil: This fern doesn't grow in traditional soil. Mount it on a wooden plaque, cork bark, or wire basket filled with sphagnum moss and organic matter like coconut coir or orchid bark.
🏺 Potting: Best mounted rather than potted. Use a sturdy wooden board (12-18 inches), secure with fishing line or wire. Remount every 3-4 years as the plant outgrows its base, or add fresh moss around the roots annually.
🌱 Growth rate: Moderate. Expect 2-4 new fronds over 6 months under good conditions. In one year, the plant can double in size. Mature specimens can reach 2-3 feet across with fronds extending outward.
👩‍🌾 Fertilizing: Feed monthly during spring and summer with a diluted balanced liquid fertilizer (10-10-10) at quarter strength. Apply during watering or mist onto fronds. Reduce to every 6-8 weeks in fall and winter.
🐾 Pet friendly: Yes, this fern is non-toxic to cats and dogs, making it a safe choice for homes with curious pets.
WHERE TO PUT IT
The Foong SiQi Staghorn Fern makes a stunning statement piece in living rooms, bathrooms, or bright hallways where its sculptural form can be appreciated. Mount it on a wall or hang it in a basket where air can circulate freely around the fronds. Bathrooms with windows are especially ideal due to naturally higher humidity. Avoid placing it in dark corners, near heating vents, or in spaces with stagnant air, as poor air circulation and low light will cause the fronds to decline and the plant to struggle.