Platycerium “Elsa” - Snow Queen Staghorn

Aesthetic Appeal: Known as “Elsa” after the famous character from Disney’s Frozen, this exceptional cultivar (Pewchan F307) is celebrated for its distinctive white snow-like fronds that create a magical, frost-covered appearance. Part of the prestigious “Pewchan Compact” or “Snow Queen” series, this cultivar showcases extremely white trichomes (fine hairs) that cover the fronds, creating an ethereal silvery-white appearance against the dark green-blue base coloration. The plant maintains a remarkably compact growth habit even when mature, making it an adorable and manageable specimen that remains “super duper cute” throughout its development. The fertile fronds display the characteristic forked staghorn appearance while maintaining the distinctive white fuzzy texture that gives it its snow-like quality. Care Requirements: • Light: Bright, indirect light; the white trichomes are more pronounced under proper lighting conditions • Water: Consistent moisture with excellent drainage; avoid overwatering which can damage the delicate trichomes • Temperature: 65-80°F (18-27°C) - thrives in stable indoor conditions with good air circulation • Mounting: Excellent on wood mounts with sphagnum moss; benefits from high humidity environments Special Notes: P. “Elsa” (F307) represents one of the most sought-after selections from the Snow Queen series, originally developed by Tonkla Ferntastic Garden in Thailand. This cultivar is part of the Pewchan lineage, which is a hybrid between P. veitchii (Silver Frond) × P. willinckii, combining the best characteristics of both parent species. The “Snow Queen” series is renowned for having extremely low germination rates from spores, making these cultivars particularly rare and valuable in cultivation. F307 “Elsa” is specifically noted for its compact mature size and its ability to produce spores while maintaining its diminutive stature, which is unusual among staghorn ferns. The white trichomes that give this cultivar its distinctive appearance are a genetic trait inherited from the P. veitchii parent, but expressed more dramatically in this selection. The plant is known for being somewhat challenging to grow shield fronds (basal fronds), which adds to its rarity and collector appeal. Like other members of the Snow Queen series, “Elsa” requires careful attention to humidity and air circulation to maintain the pristine white appearance of its trichomes. The compact nature combined with the spectacular white coloration makes this one of the most photographed and Instagram-worthy staghorn cultivars available. This cultivar represents the pinnacle of staghorn breeding, combining aesthetic beauty with manageable size, making it perfect for collectors who want a show-stopping specimen without the space requirements of larger staghorn species. The name “Elsa” perfectly captures the magical, frozen appearance that makes this cultivar so enchanting to staghorn enthusiasts worldwide.