Plant species: Platycerium bifurcatum

Plant genus: Platycerium

Plant family: Polypodiaceae

Native plant: Java, Lesser Sunda Islands, New Caledonia, New South Wales, Norfolk Island, Queensland, Sulawesi.

Plant later introduced to: Canary Islands, Colombia, Hawaii, KwaZulu-Natal, Northern New Zealand, Taiwan

Soil drainage: High water retention, we recommend a substrate mix composed of organic substrate, perlite, vermiculite, sphagnum moss.

Soil pH: Acidic

Fertilizers: Does not require constant fertilization considering the substrate contains organic matter. The fertilizer should be diluted to avoid burning the roots.

Air humidity: It is perfectly acclimated to indoor environments, with air humidity between 40% and 60%.

Temperature: 18-27 degrees Celsius

Light: Indirect light to shade

Plant height with pot included: 25-50 cm

Pot diameter: 12 cm

Platycerium bifurcatum is an epiphytic plant that grows on the trunks and branches of trees. Each plant is composed of a mass of plantlets. A plantlet consists of a nest leaf 12-30 cm wide, attached to the bark of the host tree. The nest leaves of neighboring plantlets overlap one another, becoming sterile, brown, and papery with age. Fertile fronds are 25-90 cm long, emerging from each plantlet. Each frond divides into two segments several times along its length. Spores are produced on the underside of the end segments of each frond. The spore-producing areas are tan-brown and have a velvety texture.

Note! To check the moisture level of the substrate, inserting your finger into the pot to a depth of 2 cm is the best tool for measuring soil moisture. If the substrate feels wet, keep the watering can away for one or two days, and if it feels dry, water it.

Note 2! When it comes to watering, we must consider the pot in which the plant is placed, as well as the amount of substrate and its aeration level. For example, do not pour a liter of water into a pot with a diameter and height of 12 cm, as this will drown the plant's roots. It is best to discard excess water from the collector tray half an hour after watering.

Good luck with the care! And don't forget to give us updates about your plant, using the hashtag #greenmirrors and tagging @green.mirrors in your Instagram posts! We promise to share them in our stories :)

Tags: Platycerium, Platycerium bifurcatum, rare plants, unusual plants, decorative foliage plants, air-purifying plants, indoor decorative plants