Bird's Nest Fern vs Staghorn Fern
Choose by mounting, not care: the bird's nest sits in a pot as a rosette, the staghorn hangs on a board and is watered by soaking. Both are pet-safe.
Bird's Nest Fern needs low to medium light (2/5) - fine a few metres back from a window. Staghorn Fern wants medium indirect light (3/5), near a bright window, out of direct sun. Bird's Nest Fern is a moderate grower and gives you cuttings or a full pot sooner. Staghorn Fern is slow, which means less pruning and repotting but a longer wait.
What they share: both are pet-safe, both are rated medium, both take moderate watering, both are happy in the same humidity and both stay medium.
Choose
Bird's Nest Fern if…
- ✓your spot is the dimmer of the two - it manages on low to medium light
- ✓you want visible growth and free cuttings quickly
- ✓the look is what you are after: Unique wavy fronds growing from central rosette. Easier than most ferns.
Choose
Staghorn Fern if…
- ✓you have a bright window to give it (medium indirect light)
- ✓you would rather not prune and repot often
- ✓the look is what you are after: Unique antler-shaped fronds. Often mounted on wood or in baskets.
Bird's Nest Fern vs Staghorn Fern: side by side
| Attribute |
Bird's Nest Fern
|
Staghorn Fern
|
|---|---|---|
| Plant type | Fern | Fern |
| Difficulty | medium | medium |
| Light | ●●○○○ 2/5 Low to medium light |
●●●○○ 3/5 Medium indirect light |
| Water | ●●●○○ 3/5 Moderate |
●●●○○ 3/5 Moderate |
| Humidity | ●●●●○ 4/5 Above average |
●●●●○ 4/5 Above average |
| Pet safe | Safe | Safe |
| Mature size | Medium 30-90 cm (1-3 ft) |
Medium 30-90 cm (1-3 ft) |
| Growth rate | Moderate | Slow |
| Air purifying | Yes | Yes |
| Native to | Southeast Asia | Australia |
Key differences between Bird's Nest Fern and Staghorn Fern
Bird's Nest Fern copes with less light
Bird's Nest Fern needs low to medium light (2/5) - fine a few metres back from a window. Staghorn Fern wants medium indirect light (3/5), near a bright window, out of direct sun.
Bird's Nest Fern fills out faster
Bird's Nest Fern is a moderate grower and gives you cuttings or a full pot sooner. Staghorn Fern is slow, which means less pruning and repotting but a longer wait.
They come from different habitats
Bird's Nest Fern originates in Southeast Asia; Staghorn Fern in Australia. Matching the original habitat is the quickest way to guess what each one wants indoors.
How to tell Bird's Nest Fern and Staghorn Fern apart
The bird's nest grows in a pot as a rosette of wavy, undivided fronds. The staghorn is an epiphyte usually mounted on a board, watered by soaking, and hung on a wall. Choose by how you want to mount it, not by care.
Care at a glance
Bird's Nest Fern
Asplenium Nidus
Unique wavy fronds growing from central rosette. Easier than most ferns.
Care in one line: Low to medium light, keep moist, don't water center.
Full Bird's Nest Fern care guide →
Staghorn Fern
Platycerium, Elkhorn Fern
Unique antler-shaped fronds. Often mounted on wood or in baskets.
Care in one line: Bright indirect light, soak weekly, mount or hang.
Full Staghorn Fern care guide →Bird's Nest Fern vs Staghorn Fern: common questions
What is the difference between Bird's Nest Fern and Staghorn Fern? +
The bird's nest grows in a pot as a rosette of wavy, undivided fronds. The staghorn is an epiphyte usually mounted on a board, watered by soaking, and hung on a wall. Choose by how you want to mount it, not by care. On care, bird's Nest Fern needs low to medium light (2/5) - fine a few metres back from a window. Staghorn Fern wants medium indirect light (3/5), near a bright window, out of direct sun.
Which is easier to care for, Bird's Nest Fern or Staghorn Fern? +
Neither - both are rated medium. The practical difference is bird's nest fern copes with less light.
Is Bird's Nest Fern or Staghorn Fern safe for cats and dogs? +
Both are safe. Bird's Nest Fern and Staghorn Fern are each non-toxic to cats and dogs, so either works in a home with animals.
Which needs less light, Bird's Nest Fern or Staghorn Fern? +
Bird's Nest Fern. It scores 2/5 for light and fine a few metres back from a window. Staghorn Fern scores 3/5 and near a bright window, out of direct sun.
Which needs more water, Bird's Nest Fern or Staghorn Fern? +
Neither - both score 3/5. For each one, water when the top 2-3 cm is dry, roughly weekly.
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