It seems the '70s have returned. Only it’s not the kitschy disco balls that we’re seeing complement the swanky fabrics and minimalist designs…we’re seeing the return of the mounted staghorn fern.
“I think a lot of the popularity of the fern comes from the fact that you can mount it on the wall,” says David Kesler, Creative Director at the Floral Design Institute of Portland. “The whole vertical garden thing is so hot and we’re now seeing interior gardens that are growing vertically. We have been mounting arrangements on walls for years and years; long before vertical gardens came about. With staghorn ferns, you can actually just culture it on a plank and it grows, and then you just hang that plank on a wall and voila, you have a wall treatment!”
The Vegetarian Version of Taxidermy
These unique evergreens grow wild on the trunks of trees, so deciding to mount them indoors was a natural choice for early indoor gardeners. Staghorn ferns were once popular in the '70s for the way their fronds resemble elk or deer horns, especially when mounted on a plank of wood. Deemed the vegetarian version of taxidermy, it’s no wonder these were popular with the early environmentalists and nature lovers who wanted to add a naturally rustic touch to their home décor.
“Mounted staghorn ferns are easy to take care of,” Kelser adds. “They pretty much absorb moisture through the air, so you only have to water occasionally. They are architecturally beautiful and they are a very structural plant.”
Where to Find Staghorn Ferns in Portland
Local businesses like Wildwood Restaurant in Northwest District and Ned Ludd in King have taken an eye to these ferns and added them to their modern motifs by having them mounted in entry ways and as focal points behind the bar.
Always at the heart of a trend, design team Alissa Pulcrano and Leela Brightenburg were the master minds behind the Wildwood installation. “At bright designlab we consider them the ‘vegetarian deerhead’ and believe there should be one over every mantle ... very sustainable!” they say. “We have a really good line on them so if anyone needs them we can (most likely) provide many different types and sizes. I am planning to pick up some this weekend for my own residence!”
Other floral designers around town have begun mounting these ferns as well, making the once rare plant a bit easier to come by in Portland. Floral designers like Solabee Flowers and Botanicals in Kenton and Emerald Petals in Boise have began mounting these ferns for customers, and Pistils Nursery in Boise has an enormous display hanging two feet down from their ceiling that stretches two feet wide. The nursery has an assortment of staghorn ferns available in pots and attached to moss that can be easily mounted at home, and they are in the process of ordering already mounted ferns so Portlanders can simply buy and hang the fun little plant.
Staghorn Fern Care
When it comes to caring for the fern, indoors is typically best. Aside from the modern minimalist look that the plant offers in an indoor environment, staghorns typically don’t like temperatures below 55 and prefer a bit of a dryer climate, so keeping them inside is a great way to ensure their success.
Mounted staghorn ferns tend to thrive, mainly because they naturally grow on wood. “I like to keep plants together that grow naturally when I do floral design,” says Kesler. “So when I’m working with staghorn, it grows naturally on the trunks of trees, so I like to keep it that way.”
