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Understanding Our Container Sizes
At Nature Hills, our plants are sold in industry-standard nursery containers. You will notice we use the word "container" rather than "gallon." Container numbers follow a nursery trade size standard, not liquid volume. The number tells you the plant's size category and general maturity level. A larger container means a more established plant with a stronger root system.
Container Sizes
Quart
Plant age: 6 months to 1 year Best for:Ground covers, perennials, ornamental grasses What to expect: Our smallest and most affordable size. Well-suited for planting in multiples across a large area. Allow 1 to 2 seasons for full establishment.
#1 Container
Plant age: 1 to 2 years Best for:Shrubs, perennials, smaller trees What to expect: About the size of a large coffee can. A well-developed root system in a manageable size. Good value choice when you have time to let the plant grow into the space over a season or two.
#2 Container
Plant age: 2 to 3 years Best for:Shrubs and trees where you want faster establishment What to expect: A noticeable step up from a #1 in both plant size and root development. Good choice when you want visible presence without going to a larger size.
#3 Container
Plant age: 3 to 4 years Best for: Most plants, most situations — flowering trees, shade trees, evergreen shrubs What to expect: Our most popular size. Strong, developed root system. Plants in a #3 container make an immediate visual impact from day one. If you want a head start rather than waiting seasons for a plant to fill in, this is typically the right choice.
#5 Container and Larger
Plant age: 4 to 5+ years Best for: Specimen plants, privacy screens, maximum instant impact What to expect: Large, mature plants ready to make an immediate statement in your landscape. We also carry #7 and larger sizes for select varieties.
Why "Container" and Not "Gallon"?
Nursery container sizes follow an industry trade standard established for the nursery and horticulture industry. The number is a size designation, not a measurement of liquid volume. Actual soil volume varies by plant type, root mass, and growing medium. Using "container" is the accurate industry term. When you see #1, #2, or #3, think of it as the plant's size tier, not a gallon measurement.
Root Pouch Containers
Some Nature Hills plants arrive in a Root Pouch, a breathable fabric container made from 100% recycled materials. Root Pouches encourage denser root development through air pruning, which discourages root circling and promotes a stronger, more fibrous root ball at the time of planting.
There are two types. Knowing which one you have changes how you plant:
Degradable (brown or tan fabric): Plant the entire pouch directly in the ground. The fabric breaks down naturally in the soil over time.
Non-degradable (black or gray fabric): Remove the pouch before planting. Cut the bottom open with scissors, then peel the sides away. The fibrous root ball will hold its shape.
Not sure which type you have? Check the tag on your plant or contact us and we will confirm.
Staghorn Fern is unlike any other houseplant fern: flat, round shield fronds clasp the base and protect the root crown, while gray green, antler shaped fertile fronds arch outward and give the plant its name. As it matures it produces offset pups from its rhizome, so one plant can eventually become a whole colony.
In the wild it grows as an epiphyte attached to tree trunks and branches, which is why it is traditionally displayed mounted on a slab of wood or bark rather than potted in soil, though it also does well in a hanging basket. See our full fern collection for more conversation piece plants, and read our guide on growing ferns for general care tips.
Arrives in a 6 inch nursery pot, ready to grow or mount. Non-toxic to cats, dogs, and horses.
Planting & Care
Light
Dappled sunlight to partial shade outdoors, roughly 2 to 6 hours of direct sun, or bright indirect light indoors.
Water
Water the crown, the fuzzy felted base where fronds emerge, regularly. Let the mounting medium or roots dry slightly between waterings, but never let it go bone dry. Overwatering a mounted plant is a common cause of rot.
Humidity and Temperature
Prefers moderate to high humidity, consistent with its native tropical, epiphytic habitat. Keep it warm and frost free, and protect it from cold when grown outdoors near the cool edge of its range.
Mounting and Soil
Not grown in standard potting soil. Use an epiphytic orchid mix or sphagnum moss, or mount the plant on a slab of wood or bark to mimic its natural growth habit. Feed with a light, diluted balanced fertilizer during active growth, since it lacks a true soil root system.
What Not to Prune
The flat, round shield fronds at the base turn brown as they mature. That is normal and protective, not a sign of a dying plant, so leave them in place rather than trimming them off.
Pets
Non-toxic to dogs, cats, and horses. As with any plant, eating a large quantity of foliage can still cause mild digestive upset from fiber alone.
Delivery and Shipping
Shipping Rates
Ships in 7-10 business days • Tracking provided • Weather protected
Under $50
$9.99
$50 - $99.99
$14.99
$100 - $149.99
$16.99
$150 - $198.99
$24.99
$199+
FREE
✓ Zone-specific timing • ✓ Professional packaging • ✓ Health guarantee
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No. Platycerium bifurcatum is classified as non-toxic to dogs, cats, and horses.
Why are the flat, round fronds at the base turning brown?
That is normal. The shield shaped sterile fronds are meant to brown and dry as they mature, forming a protective layer around the plant's base. They should not be removed.
How do I water it if it is mounted on a board rather than potted?
Soak or thoroughly wet the crown and mounting medium, then let it dry somewhat before watering again. Overwatering a mounted plant is a common cause of rot.
How is it propagated?
By separating rooted offset pups from the parent plant's rhizome, or less commonly by collecting spores from the felty patches on mature fertile fronds.
Does it need to be mounted on a board, or can it stay in a pot?
Both work. It can be grown in a container or hanging basket, or mounted on wood or bark, which most closely mimics its natural epiphytic growth habit.
Extend your plant protection to a full year with Growing & Glowing Guarantee Plus.
Every plant already includes our free 45-day guarantee. Adding Plus at checkout gives you extended coverage for properly planted and cared-for plants.
What you get:
Full store credit for the cost of your plant
Free shipping on your replacement order
Coverage for a full year from delivery
To file a claim: Send photos to support@naturehills.com or use our live chat.
Not covered: Improper planting, weather extremes, pest or wildlife damage, or plants outside their recommended zone. Annuals, bulbs, grass plugs, and hard goods are not eligible.
