Platycerium veitchii 'Lemoinei' French Staghorn Fern - 4 Pot, Green

The Platycerium veitchii 'Lemoinei,' commonly known as the French Staghorn Fern, is a cultivar of the species Platycerium veitchii. This native Australian staghorn grows on sun-exposed boulders and rocks and is heat-loving. In its native location, it has to survive droughts of 2 months or more without rain. As with many drought-tolerant plants, its foliage is slightly glaucous with waxy hairs that protect it, and it should be watered sparingly in winter. The fern is excellent for use on plaques and in wooden or wire baskets.

The Platycerium veitchii 'Lemoinei' is prized for its unique fronds, which feature a distinctive wavy or undulating shape along the edges. This cultivar is often preferred for its larger and more pronounced undulations compared to the standard species. Platycerium veitchii 'Lemoinei' typically grows as an epiphytic fern, attaching itself to trees or other surfaces for support.

The fern is native to tropical regions of Southeast Asia, where it thrives in humid, shaded environments with filtered sunlight. Staghorn Ferns, including 'Lemoinei,' are popular ornamental plants grown for their striking foliage and architectural quality. This cultivar can be grown indoors as a houseplant or outdoors in tropical or subtropical climates, provided it receives adequate humidity and indirect light.

When grown indoors, Platycerium veitchii 'Lemoinei' should be mounted on a piece of wood or other support and placed in a location with bright, indirect light. Proper watering is essential for the health of 'Lemoinei,' as it requires regular watering to keep the mounting medium moist but not waterlogged.

Platycerium veitchii 'Lemoinei' can be propagated by division or by spores produced on the undersides of the fronds, allowing for the expansion of its population. With its unique frond shape and attractive appearance, Platycerium veitchii 'Lemoinei' makes a stunning addition to any indoor or outdoor garden.

The fern is native to north-east New South Wales (north of Nabiac) and Queensland in Australia. It can also be found in parts of Indonesia and Malaysia. In propagated form, the plant is grown successfully as far south as Victoria. During the 1990s, the fern was also discovered on the Hawaiian Islands, where it is now considered a "problem species."

Platycerium is a bracket epiphyte naturally occurring in and near rainforests but is now also widely cultivated as an ornamental plant for gardens. In both naturally occurring and propagated forms, these ferns develop a humus-collecting "nest" of non-fertile fronds and can grow up to 1 metre wide. The ferns also develop hanging fertile fronds that can reach up to 2 metres long. Both fertile and non-fertile fronds are broad and branching and grown to resemble the horns of a stag or elk, thus the common names stag horn or elk horn.

In the wild, the nest structure captures falling leaves and other detritus, which then decomposes to provide the plant with nutrients. The ferns are known to favor a slightly acidic environment, and to encourage growth in propagated plants, some growers recommend adding used tea leaves or banana peel directly to the plant's "nest."

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