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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 Netherlands Fern is a compact, tissue cultured form of Platycerium bifurcatum, bred for a fuller head of antler shaped fertile fronds on a smaller overall plant than an unselected staghorn. Round, shield shaped basal fronds clasp the base and protect the root crown, while the gray green fertile fronds arch outward and carry the plant's signature look.
In the wild it grows as an epiphyte attached to tree trunks and branches, so it is equally at home mounted on a slab of wood or grown in a hanging basket with an open, well draining mix. See our full fern collection for more conversation piece plants, and read our guide on growing ferns for general care tips.
Choose a potted plant or a ready to hang basket at checkout. 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 filtered light indoors.
Water
Water the crown and root mass regularly, letting it dry slightly between waterings but never fully. Potted specimens can also be watered from the bottom. Reduce watering significantly in winter.
Humidity and Temperature
Needs consistently high humidity, and daily misting during active growth helps in dry indoor air. Keep it above roughly 50 degrees Fahrenheit and away from cold drafts.
Mounting and Soil
Grown epiphytically, mounted on wood or bark, or in a basket with an open mix such as equal parts coarse leaf mold, loam, and charcoal at an acidic pH under 6.0, rather than in standard potting soil. Feed with a balanced liquid fertilizer monthly during the growing season.
What Not to Prune
The round shield fronds are structural, not decorative. They naturally turn brown with age, and removing them can damage the plant's root protection and nutrient capture system, so leave them in place.
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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Is Staghorn Netherlands Fern toxic to cats or dogs?
No. Platycerium bifurcatum, the species this trade selection belongs to, is classified as non-toxic to dogs, cats, and horses.
Is 'Netherlands' a scientifically recognized cultivar?
Not formally. It is a widely used trade name for a compact, tissue cultured form of Platycerium bifurcatum rather than a botanically registered cultivar name.
Does a staghorn fern need to be planted in soil?
No. It is naturally epiphytic and is conventionally mounted on a wood or bark plaque, or grown in a basket with an open, well draining mix, rather than in standard potting soil.
How do you water a mounted staghorn fern?
Water the crown and root mass under the shield fronds regularly, letting it dry slightly between waterings but never fully. Potted specimens can also be watered from the bottom.
What are the round brown shields on a staghorn fern, and should they be removed?
Those are the sterile shield fronds. They clasp the mount, protect the root crown, and trap falling debris for nutrients. They naturally turn brown with age, and that is normal, so they should not be cut off.
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.
