Dwarf Platycerium wandae - Staghorn Fern - 1L / 14cm / Small
$35.00Platycerium wandae Dwarf
Platycerium wandae Dwarf is a compact form of one of the world’s most spectacular staghorn fern species. Despite its smaller size, it still develops the dramatic shield fronds and broad, antler-like fertile fronds that make Wandae so sought-after, but in a more manageable form suited to indoor growing and smaller mounting displays.
The fronds are coated in a soft silvery fuzz that gives the plant a pale, velvety appearance while helping it tolerate bright conditions and drying winds. Slow-growing and highly collectible, this dwarf form offers the grandeur of classic Wandae without needing enormous space to mature.
Non-toxic to pets.
Comprehensive Care Instructions for Platycerium wandae Dwarf
Lighting Requirements
Indoors: Bright, indirect light is ideal. Gentle morning sun is beneficial, but avoid harsh afternoon exposure.
Outdoors (mild climates): Best in filtered light or bright shade with protection from strong wind and direct summer sun.
Watering Regimen
Mounted Plants:
Soak or thoroughly drench the mount when the moss or growing medium becomes mostly dry. Allow airflow and partial drying between waterings.
Basket-Grown Plants:
Water deeply but ensure the centre crown does not stay wet for extended periods.
Temperature & Humidity
Thrives between 18°C–28°C.
Prefers moderate to high humidity with excellent airflow. Protect from frost and cold, damp conditions.
Fertilizing
Feed monthly during spring and summer with a diluted liquid fertiliser. Apply lightly around the root zone or in soak water.
Pruning & Maintenance
Do not remove shield fronds, even as they age and brown naturally.
Avoid touching or rubbing the silvery trichomes on the fertile fronds.
Repotting or Remounting
Best displayed mounted or in open hanging baskets with very free airflow.
Remount only when the plant significantly outgrows its support.
Pests & Troubleshooting
Generally low maintenance but may attract scale or mealybugs in warm indoor conditions.
Blackening at the base usually indicates excess moisture or poor airflow.
Important Note: Compact Collector’s Form
Platycerium wandae Dwarf delivers the dramatic form of one of the most iconic staghorn species in a more space-friendly package. A slow-growing but rewarding fern that becomes more impressive with every season.
Plant Size Guide
The plant in the photos is an example and an approximate guide only however we try to show an average sized example. Sizes, flowering state and colours change throughout the seasons and variation will occur. In summer & autumn, plants are often larger or the same size as than the example picture but around winter and spring, they can be a little smaller but still at a size similar to the example. We aim to update the pictures to reflect significant differences.
Plant Heights - because the plant's foliage must fit inside our Plant Cartons, the actual height of a plant's central trunk (meristem) will be shorter than the box it fits in.
Small Plants - 14cm wide nursery pot - 1 Litre volume - Plants fit in a 50cm tall box.
Medium Plants - 17cm wide pots either 2L hanging pot or 2.5L nursery pot - Plants fit in a 75cm tall box.
Large Plants - 25cm wide pot, 10L volume. Plants fit in a 100cm tall box.
XL Plants - Plants over 100cm tall in pot sizes specified, 25cm/10L or greater and are hand delivered within Auckland/Northland only.
Dispatch Times
Plant courier orders are processed Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday.
North Island orders are targeted overnight delivery, South Island orders are sent on a 2-day target but these are not a guaranteed delivery timeframe.
Add 1 extra day after a public holiday as well as for rural addresses or remote towns.
Monday - We send orders placed on previous Wednesday, Thursday & Friday.
Tuesday - We send Weekend orders from previous Saturday & Sunday.
Wednesday - We send orders placed from Monday & Tuesday.
XL Plants are delivered only within urban Auckland & Whangarei and this service is for non-urgent orders. This excludes satellite destinations such as Beachlands, Pukekohe, Piha, Helensville etc and Whangarei Heads. We may deliver at any time Sunday, Monday, Wednesday or Thursday in Auckland and you need to have a sheltered accessible position for us to deliver to.
Plants in Transit
Each Small, Medium & Large plant is individually contained within its own protective cardboard Plant Carton which may be joined to other cartons in your order.
Plants typically take just a day or two to arrive, however they are usually fine in their cartons for 1-2 weeks, and many can go longer, so a few extra days are not usually cause for concern.
Whether it takes 1 or 7 days, let your plant recover from its journey by placing in gentle light and adding a little water and it will be back to its best within a couple of days. Let us know if there are any major issues via the contact page.
