🇦🇺 Habitat and Ecology
​Platycerium hillii, commonly known as Hill's Staghorn Fern or the Northern Elkhorn Fern, is a distinct epiphytic fern native to Northeast Queensland, Australia. It is also recorded as being introduced into New Guinea. In its natural habitat, it thrives in tropical rainforests and lowland vine forests, often found growing in beach scrubs and along creeks in wet areas. It typically grows as an epiphyte on tree trunks and branches, or occasionally as a lithophyte on rocks.
​🌿 Description and Distinguishing Features
​This fern is an evergreen perennial epiphyte prized for its lush, deep green foliage and compact, tidy growth habit.
​Shield Fronds (Sterile): The basal fronds are rounded or kidney-shaped (reniform) and grow tightly pressed against the host tree or mount, overlapping to form layers of old fronds. Unlike common staghorns, the upper margins of these shields are entire or only shallowly wavy/lobed, lacking the deep forks or "crown" shape seen in other species. They typically turn brown with age but remain firmly appressed.
​Fertile Fronds: The upright, fertile fronds are characteristically broad and wedge-shaped, widening significantly towards the apex. They are a dark, vibrant green and are typically less deeply forked (bifurcated) than related species, often having broad, rounded lobes. The spores are produced in patches on the underside of the tips.
​Differentiation: Platycerium hillii is most frequently confused with Platycerium bifurcatum.
​Versus P. bifurcatum: P. hillii has wider, greener fertile fronds that are less deeply divided/forked. Its shield fronds are rounded and tightly appressed to the mount, whereas P. bifurcatum shields often have lobed tops that flare out to form a "catch basin" or nest for debris.
​💧 Cultivation and Care
​Platycerium hillii is a robust fern that adapts well to indoor cultivation, provided it receives adequate humidity and warmth.
​Light: Requires bright, indirect light. It thrives near a north or east-facing window but must be protected from direct, harsh sunlight, which can scorch the fronds.
​Substrate: As an epiphyte, it must be grown in a soilless, coarse medium. It is best mounted on a board with sphagnum moss or grown in a wire basket filled with a mixture of sphagnum moss, orchid bark, and coco coir.
​Watering: Water moderately, keeping the root ball slightly moist but not waterlogged. Allow the medium to dry slightly between waterings to prevent rot. Because the shield fronds are so tight, soaking the mount or pot is often more effective than top-watering.
​Temperature: It prefers warm temperatures year-round.
​Optimal Range: 18-27 C (64-81 F).
​Minimum Temperature: Not below 10 C (50 F).
​Humidity: High humidity (60-80%) is ideal. Regular misting or a humidifier is recommended in dry indoor environments.
​✨ Unique Features
​This species is a collector's favorite for its compact, rounded shield fronds and broad, dark green fertile fronds that create a stunning, sculptural wall display. Its tight growth habit makes it look neater and more "organized" than the more unruly P. bifurcatum, perfect for modern interiors.
​🏷️ Specifications
​Plant Size: as seen in the second photo. Imported October 2025.
Plant Family: Polypodiaceae
Plant Passport: A Platycerium hillii B 140084 C [buyer to use number of the plant label] D GB