Blue Star Fern Plant Care

Yes, we see that eyebrow lifting when looking at this fern species. But, just look at the gorgeous leaves. As we know, you think it is another fern that thrives in shaded areas.

We know you think I need to find a perfect spot in a hanging planter in the bathroom. Nope, you’re mistaken as this plant differs from other ferns.

So, if you want to find out what makes the blue star fern special stay a while longer.

What is the Blue Star Fern?

One thing is the Phlebodium aureum is one funky plant. But, the best part is the blue star ferns have loads of personality. You find the blue star growing on the top portions of tree branches, and in the home, it is a trusty houseplant.

Something interesting is that the word aureum means yellow. Hence, it refers to the fuzzy orange rhizome roots you will see poking out of the soil. The roots hide behind a curtain of greenish-blue foliage.

Okay, you think it’s great it has gorgeous colored leaves, but what makes this one special compared to other fern species? For starters, the fronds are lobed, and it has a different shape than other ferns.

Young blue star ferns have uneven-sized and shaped fronds growing from the base of the plant. When the plant matures, the fronds develop into medium to large fronds with a uniform structure.

When you look closer at the fronds, you see tiny hairs over the structure. It is also an epiphytic fern species that adapts to different arboreal and terrestrial terrains. The fronds look like fat fingers with their soothing blue-gray-green color.

Another thing is that the blue star fern has many common names:

• Gold Foot Fern

• Golden Serpent Fern

• Palm Boot Fern

The fronds grow up to two feet long on delicate stems, and it makes a great addition to terrariums or hanging planter. It also tends to grow slowly, thrives outdoors in warmer climates, is happy as an indoor plant, and remains evergreen year-round.

The origin of the blue star fern is Central and South America.

Blue Star Fern Care Tips

Blue star fern care helps to provide them with bright indirect light, a well-draining medium, warm temperatures, and high humidity.

Blue Star Fern Soil

Your blue star fern needs well-draining soil made of perlite and vermiculite to keep it moist but not soggy. When it comes to blue star fern care, it helps to remember that it is an epiphyte. Hence, it grows on other plants to source their nutrients and the moisture it needs.

So using standard potting soil is not suitable for your leafy friend. You can use a usual potting mix but need to add some perlite or vermiculite for drainage with some compost for water retention.

You mix in equal parts of the above, ideal for your ferns. We do not recommend growing your fern in orchid bark or an orchid mix. The problem is that the potting mix dries out fast, and blue star ferns prefer moist soil.

Avoid Direct Sunlight

Okay, remember the eyebrow lift you thought, this fern species needs dappled light. Unfortunately, your blue star fern does not do well in too little light. You can place your plant in a window with indirect light, but bright indirect sunlight works best. If treated as an outdoor plant make sure that there are nearby trees or bigger plants that our eccentric fern can get shade from.

Wow, is that not good news as you do not need to keep your star fern in the bathroom? Instead, you can choose an east or west-facing window. Blue star ferns need direct sunlight in the morning or very late in the afternoon.

You can also hide your blue star fern surrounded by other plants from direct rays. If your leafy friend needs more light, you’ll notice the leaves drooping. If you find the sun burns the leaves, adjust the lighting conditions and trim the damaged fronds.

Watering your Blue Star Fern

Your blue star grows in tropical areas and thrives in moist soil and a highly humid environment. So to replicate the native habitat, the soil surface needs to remain moist but not soggy.

You can quench your plant’s thirst when you notice the top two inches of the potting soil dry using the finger test.

We recommend watering from the side, and once the water flows through the drainage holes, empty the dish underneath. Your blue star does not enjoy wet feet as it can lead to root rot.

Another recommendation is to use distilled water instead of tap water. Occasionally, you can mist the leaves if you find low moisture levels.

Keep an eye on the soil moisture as your blue star will not grow if overwatered. Yet, once you leave your tropical plant to dry out, it will recover, and you can trim the damaged fronds.

Preferably, also use room temperature water to prevent shock.

Temperature & Humidity

As the blue star grows in subtropical regions, it thrives in temperatures between 54°F-78°F (12-26°C) in the home. So, if you feel comfortable in winter inside your home, it is comfortable for your plant.

Another recommended tip is not to expose your plant to sudden fluctuating temperatures and prevent placing them near heaters or air conditioners. For humidity, the environment needs to be about 75%.

So, if moisture is a problem, your new plants can survive in the bathroom with natural light. Or, you can create a humid environment using a humidity tray with water. Alternatively, you can group your plant with other moisture-loving plants.

Fertilizing Blue Star Ferns

To keep your blue star fern healthy, you can feed them diluted fertilizer up to a 1/4 strength in spring and summer once a month. The fern species do not need heavy feeding as it can damage the fronds. So feed during the growing season and stop feeding in fall and winter.

Blue Star Fern Growth, Pruning, and Re-potting

Blue star ferns do not produce blooms but have reproductive spores found on the underside of the leaves. As soon the leaves dry out, the orange spores also dry out and turn brown.

You can reproduce your blue star fern from these spores like starting any plant from seed. You can use a toothpick to remove the spores and press them into some starting moist soil. Just leave it on the surface without covering it.

Now take a clear plastic bag to cover your plastic pot. Mist the inside daily for a few days to keep the soil moist. It should take up to two months for the spores to germinate. Compared to other ferns, the blue star is not a fast grower, but you can expect to re-pot every year if it does.

Before transplanting your blue star into houseplant compost mixed with perlite and vermiculite water, it is 24 hours before the time. Doing this prevents transplant shock. You only need to tease the fronds gently.

You can choose from various containers, from plastic pots to ceramic glazed pots. We do not recommend using a terracotta pot as the clay leaves you with dry soil fast. The important thing is the container needs to have adequate drainage.

You can trim off brown tips or wilted foliage. Doing this encourages new growth and makes your plant look tidy.

Blue Star Fern Propagation

The best way to ensure you always have a blue star available is by dividing the root system. You can do this by cutting the creeping rhizome when re-potting.

Division

1. Start by selecting a mother plant with roots, foliage, and rhizomes. Next, you need to remove your plant from its decorative pot.

2. Separate the section from the parent plant to place it in a container.

Cutting

1. Remove from pot and cut a piece of the rhizome about three inches long.

2. Choose a rhizome with several frond segments and place it in its pot without covering all the roots.

3. Replant your mother plant and water both plants and care for them as you always do.

Grow your ferns in the recommended soil mix and the right pot size keeping them away from direct sun and enough light. You can place them in a damp spot as long as the pot has a drainage hole.

Blue Star Fern Varieties

Now, if you cannot find the blue star fern, there are other fern species with similar traits you can use in your home.

• Phlebodium pseudoaureum

The blue rabbit’s foot fern looks similar to the blue star, and you can easily get confused between the two. Yet, the fern can tolerate more light compared to many ferns. It is also an epiphytic fern growing on tree branches with brown hairy rhizomes.

• Phlebodium decumanum

You find the tropical variety farmed commercially for its nutritional extract that helps reduce fatigue and aids in muscle recovery. Still, this fern type is not tolerant of nippy conditions.

Blue Star Fern Diseases and Pests

No plant is free from pests or diseases, but the fern is a low-maintenance plant. Still, the blue star fern is less susceptible to aphids, thrips, mealybugs, and spider mites. Nevertheless, we recommend keeping an eye on the fuzzy rhizome for invaders. If you notice infestations use neem oil that works effectively.

The problem you can face with your blue fern is moisture problems resulting from overwatering.

Overwatering is Difficult to Solve

The roots rot when your fern is in a plastic nursery pot with insufficient drainage holes. Always do a finger soil surface test to see if the soils are too wet. We recommend you re-pot your fern and add more perlite to the mix—only water your plant when needed.

Another concern is southern blight with blue star ferns. The fungus thrives in warm yet moist conditions. You cannot find an effective fungicide, and the best is always to use sanitary tools and sterile potting media.

The last concern is rust and powdery mildew spurred by moisture. The best is to keep the fronds dry and provide your blue star with enough air circulation.

Incorrect Lighting Conditions

The blue star fern prefers bright indirect light. So, you can keep your plant in a bright spot away from the window. Still, too little light again will result in limp leaves, or it starts to lose its foliage.