Blue Star Fern
Blue Star Fern
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Description
Blue star fern is a tropical epiphyte (Phlebodium aureum) with blue-green, lobed fronds. Like other Ferns, they are sold in our Ferns collection. Most are true ferns, in families such as the polypody family (Polypodiaceae) or the spleenwort family (Aspleniaceae). A few listings, sold as asparagus ferns, are not true ferns at all; NC State Extension places those in the asparagus family (Asparagaceae).
What it is: This listing is a blue star fern (Phlebodium aureum), also called golden polypody. NC State Extension describes deeply lobed fronds and creeping rhizomes densely covered in golden scales.
Light: Give it partial sun to light shade, medium to high humidity and good air circulation (NC State Extension). A grow bulb helps in our dark winters. Use a loose, organic, acid mix that stays moist but not soggy; it can tolerate drying out a little between waterings (NC State Extension).
Watering & care: Keep the mix moist but not soggy; this species can tolerate drying out between waterings (NC State Extension). Empty any saucer so the pot does not sit in water. Crown or root rot can follow a soggy mix.
Humidity: It likes medium to high humidity (NC State Extension). Browning or curling fronds often mean the air is too dry or the plant is underwatered. A humidifier helps in our dry indoor winter air.
Temperature: NC State Extension lists USDA zones 8b to 13b. In our climate it is a houseplant or summer patio plant; bring it in before hard frost, and keep it off cold glass.
Winter indoors: In winter, keep it in your brightest frost-free window or under a grow bulb, and be careful not to overwater.
Expected indoor size: NC State Extension describes fronds 12 to 50 inches long and 4 to 20 inches wide, and the dimensions table is 2 to 4 feet tall and 3 to 6 feet wide, which is larger than many indoor settings. A potted plant is often kept smaller. The cultivar 'Davana' is listed as compact, with glaucous blue, wavy leaf margins.
Feeding: Feed lightly during the growing season with our Schultz All Purpose Plant Food, and ease off in winter.
Pets & pests: We do not have an ASPCA listing for blue star fern, so we are not calling it pet-safe. Watch for spider mites, thrips, fungus gnats and Florida fern caterpillar (NC State Extension).
About your plant: Every plant is a little different. Size, fullness and leaf count vary from plant to plant and change with age and light, so we can't promise a particular frond length, fullness or colour. The options listed (4", 6") refer to the pot or container size. They do not guarantee an exact frond length, fullness or colour. Photos show typical plants from our greenhouse, not the specific plant you will receive. The shared gallery image shows other Ferns as inspiration.
