---
title: "My staghorn fern’s shield fronds have turned dark and there are new…"
description: "My staghorn fern’s shield fronds have turned dark and there are new ones growing underneath. I’m pretty new to these and I assume that’s a good thing? Should I…"
url: "https://getplanta.com/community/NiZALrtASBeROEC20lQA3w/Tdq5lAMsATFtdbeuMH8XE6"
community: "Fern Friends"
author: "drabbit4u"
published: "2025-08-12T13:48:41.599135Z"
language: "en"
image: "https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/YRHJRfMuM6rJd7bTcA8vCT5zQpYezbFkFwYtDooVYgA/WwETF81tQU-rZ3nerdJg3w.webp?size=large"
---

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# My staghorn fern’s shield fronds have turned dark and there are new…

_Posted by drabbit4u on 2025-08-12_

My staghorn fern’s shield fronds have turned dark and there are new ones growing underneath. I’m pretty new to these and I assume that’s a good thing? Should I just leave it alone and let it do its thing? It seems fairly happy, doesn’t it?

![Attachment 1 of 3](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/YRHJRfMuM6rJd7bTcA8vCT5zQpYezbFkFwYtDooVYgA/WwETF81tQU-rZ3nerdJg3w.webp?size=large)

![Attachment 2 of 3](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/YRHJRfMuM6rJd7bTcA8vCT5zQpYezbFkFwYtDooVYgA/QtSJAM8tR4GORxoMp2KItg.webp?size=large)

![Attachment 3 of 3](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/YRHJRfMuM6rJd7bTcA8vCT5zQpYezbFkFwYtDooVYgA/AHci3hrKT-a9sWhNlN4Ikg.webp?size=large)

## 6 comments

### Hannah commented on 2025-08-12

I’ve been told to let the shield fronds be, even if they look like this, as long as the rest of the plant looks happy, which it does! On another note… where did you get your hanging box, or did you make it? I’ve been looking for a better way to display mine!

#### drabbit4u replied on 2025-08-12

It came that way when I bought it but I have since ordered the same box on Amazon and they’re pretty reasonable. Lowe’s has them too. I appreciate your reply!

### Amy commented on 2025-09-06

Once the shield frond has matured it will eventually turn brown and a new frond will generally grow on top. You have a fern pup growing under the mother plant. If you mount the plant on a flat surface, the pup wouldn’t grow under the parent plant. But your plant looks healthy so I wouldn’t worry. My fern is over 15 years old and it’s growing in all directions. I think it’s normal

#### drabbit4u replied on 2025-09-06

I’d love to see a photo of yours please.

#### Amy replied on 2025-09-07

Not the greatest photos. It suffered a lot of heat damage this summer

![Attachment 1 of 2](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/lWTjWGwwun1muSeAQxsoBCK67Od3_D1F554RFf3AQ7o/pvEOlYYHQTKWirTYzF9isw.webp?size=large)

![Attachment 2 of 2](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/lWTjWGwwun1muSeAQxsoBCK67Od3_D1F554RFf3AQ7o/4WiAU06-QKWIQ1leH_wIIw.webp?size=large)

### drabbit4u commented on 2025-09-10

Beautiful. How long have you had it? I just find them fascinating.

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