{"product_id":"fern-elephant","title":"Fern 'Elephant'","description":"\u003cul class=\"tabs\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"#tab1\" class=\"active\"\u003eDescription\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"#tab2\"\u003eElephant Ear Care Guide\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"#tab3\"\u003eFAQ\/Common Issues\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c!--Start tab content--\u003e\n\u003cul class=\"tabs-content\"\u003e\n\u003cli id=\"tab1\" class=\"active\"\u003e\n\u003cimg height=\"16\" width=\"16\" data-src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2198\/4603\/files\/Cactus_26a62e4c-2f57-4ecf-97de-fc345c4a381c_480x480.png?v=1600401339\" class=\"lazyload\" alt=\"\"\u003e \u003cspan data-sheets-root=\"1\"\u003e  Fern 'Elephant' (Platycerium elephantotis), also called Elephant Ear Staghorn Fern, is a rare epiphytic fern native to tropical rainforests of central and west Africa. It belongs to the Polypodiaceae family and grows naturally on tree trunks, absorbing moisture and nutrients from the air and rain rather than soil.\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cimg alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2198\/4603\/files\/Flower_a2da558c-5726-458a-a06c-1a5f7fedc366_480x480.png?v=1600397290\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e \u003cspan data-sheets-root=\"1\"\u003e  The broad, undivided fronds are what set Elephant Ear apart from other staghorn ferns — each one can span over two feet wide, with a smooth, slightly velvety surface and gentle wavy edges. The fronds are a deep green with a soft matte texture, growing outward in a fan-like form from a central shield frond that flattens and browns naturally against its mount. It is an epiphytic fern, so it can be grown wall-mounted on a board or in a hanging basket.\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cimg alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2198\/4603\/files\/Growing_2961efa3-9828-496c-8a2c-fa57f0dd8914_480x480.png?v=1600399365\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e \u003cspan data-sheets-root=\"1\"\u003e  As a fern, Elephant Ear does not produce flowers. It reproduces through spores, which appear as dark brown patches on the underside of mature fronds. It purifies indoor air and naturally humidifies the space around it as moisture releases through the fronds.\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cimg alt=\"\" class=\"lazyloaded\" data-src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2198\/4603\/files\/Lotus_07a2c657-f263-49f7-9bb9-69b9f3b0f4df_480x480.png?v=1600397267\" height=\"16\" width=\"16\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2198\/4603\/files\/Lotus_07a2c657-f263-49f7-9bb9-69b9f3b0f4df_480x480.png?v=1600397267\"\u003e \u003cspan data-sheets-root=\"1\"\u003e  Hang Elephant Ear near a kitchen or bathroom where ambient moisture stays high — it responds well to that consistent humidity. It is sensitive to being moved once settled, so choose a spot and leave it. Keep it away from air conditioning vents and heating units, as dry airflow dries out the fronds quickly. This plant is pet friendly, and it is a genuinely rare find in cultivation, sought after by collectors of epiphytic and tropical ferns.\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli id=\"tab2\"\u003e\n\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2198\/4603\/files\/Sun_65296975-26d8-49a3-83b6-b7b0ed15ae73_480x480.png?v=1600397323\" width=\"16\" height=\"16\" data-src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2198\/4603\/files\/Sun_65296975-26d8-49a3-83b6-b7b0ed15ae73_480x480.png?v=1600397323\" class=\"ls-is-cached lazyloaded\" alt=\"\"\u003e \u003cspan data-sheets-root=\"1\"\u003e  Fern 'Elephant' grows best in bright indirect light, away from south-facing windows that scorch the fronds.\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2198\/4603\/files\/Water_d9b740b9-bfce-41c4-ae3e-16bf9678c77f_480x480.png?v=1600397177\" width=\"16\" height=\"16\" data-src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2198\/4603\/files\/Water_d9b740b9-bfce-41c4-ae3e-16bf9678c77f_480x480.png?v=1600397177\" class=\"ls-is-cached lazyloaded\" alt=\"\"\u003e \u003cspan data-sheets-root=\"1\"\u003e  It needs watering every one to two weeks, allowing the mount or soil to approach dryness before the next soak.\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2198\/4603\/files\/Soil_40a149eb-9d43-4bf0-ac38-159c702c72f2_480x480.png?v=1600397158\" width=\"16\" height=\"16\" data-src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2198\/4603\/files\/Soil_40a149eb-9d43-4bf0-ac38-159c702c72f2_480x480.png?v=1600397158\" class=\"ls-is-cached lazyloaded\" alt=\"\"\u003e \u003cspan data-sheets-root=\"1\"\u003e  Elephant Ear does best in a well-draining mix of coarse orchid bark, perlite, and a small amount of peat or coco coir.\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2198\/4603\/files\/Temperature.png?v=1613688445\" alt=\"\"\u003e \u003cspan data-sheets-root=\"1\"\u003e  It prefers temperatures between 60°F and 85°F and suffers when exposed to cold drafts or dry heated air.\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cimg height=\"16\" width=\"16\" data-src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2198\/4603\/files\/Fertilizer_5853ff19-6010-410a-a082-3abe233cb8d2_480x480.png?v=1600399297\" class=\"lazyload\" alt=\"\"\u003e \u003cspan data-sheets-root=\"1\"\u003e  Elephant Ear is a slow to moderate grower and benefits from a balanced liquid fertilizer applied monthly during spring and summer.\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cimg height=\"16\" width=\"16\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2198\/4603\/files\/Spackle_0b1c313b-e538-42e0-8818-7f0bdf63d530_480x480.png?v=1600397104\" alt=\"\"\u003e \u003cspan data-sheets-root=\"1\"\u003e  It is hardy in USDA zones 9 through 12, where temperatures rarely drop below 25°F. It grows outdoors year-round in Florida, Hawaii, southern California, Texas, Louisiana, and Arizona. It can move outside for summer in zones 7 and 8, then come back indoors before the first frost.\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli id=\"tab3\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan data-sheets-root=\"1\"\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eQ: Is Fern 'Elephant' safe for cats and dogs?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nA: Yes, it is non-toxic and pet friendly for both cats and dogs.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eQ: How do I know when it needs water?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nA: Fern 'Elephant' wilts slightly when it has gone too long without water — the fronds lose their upright posture and soften a little before recovering after a soak.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eQ: Can Elephant Ear grow under office lighting?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nA: It can manage under bright LED office lighting, but growth slows noticeably compared to a well-lit window spot. Rotate it periodically so all sides receive even light exposure.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eQ: How do I mount this plant on a wall?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nA: Elephant Ear is traditionally mounted on a wooden board or slab of cork bark using sphagnum moss packed around the shield frond — a hanging hook on the board lets it sit flat against the wall.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eQ: Why are Elephant Ear fronds turning brown at the tips?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nA: Brown tips usually point to low humidity or exposure to dry air from an AC unit or heater vent — move it away from any direct airflow and mist the area around it or use a humidifier nearby.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eQ: How large does this fern get indoors?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nA: Elephant Ear can reach two to three feet across at maturity indoors, with individual fronds sometimes exceeding two feet in width on a well-established plant.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"House Plant Dropship","offers":[{"title":"6\" Pot","offer_id":47237692293294,"sku":"6_FERN_ELEPHANT","price":35.7,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false},{"title":"4\" Pot","offer_id":47903686426798,"sku":"4_FERN_ELEPHANT","price":17.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false},{"title":"8\" Pot","offer_id":47903686459566,"sku":"8_FERN_ELEPHANT","price":88.3,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2198\/4603\/files\/Elephant_Ear_Staghorn_Fern.png?v=1765271181","url":"https:\/\/succulentsbox.live\/products\/fern-elephant","provider":"Succulents Box","version":"1.0","type":"link"}