Blue Star ferns, Phlebodium aureum, are considered epiphytes–they grow as harmless tag-alongs on trees in South and Central America–reaching higher into the canopy than a typical ground-based fern.
In the home setting, Blue Stare fern care is not complicated. Created as under-story plants, they are accustomed to the shady, humid environment below tropical trees. Provide moderate to bright indirect light for your Blue Star, avoid direct sunlight altogether, and provide as much humidity as possible. As epiphytes, Blue Stars may differ from typical houseplants in their soil preferences. Should you need to re-pot your fern, orchid potting mixes have been recommended (Shinn, 2016) as a good solution for Blue Stars.
Water your fern after no more than the top inch (Blue Star Fern Care — Grow A Beautiful Phlebodium aureum, n.d.) of soil has dried out, but be careful not to keep the soil soggy. Soggy soil and dehydrated soil can both damage your fern. Further, since it may not be helpful for water to settle into the crown of your fern plant (Blue Star Fern Care: Phlebodium aureum, 2021) be careful to apply water to the soil and not directly to the plant’s center. Fertilization can be beneficial for Blue Stars, but it should be done with great caution. Dilute your fertilizer significantly, using 1/2 to 1/4 the suggested rate (Shinn, 2016), and only fertilize when your fern is actively growing.
Properly cared for, your Blue Star fern will beautify your indoor space with simple elegance and natural grace. And our hope is that your fern will make it’s quiet yet beautiful contribution for years to come!
Sources
Blue Star Fern Care — Grow A Beautiful Phlebodium aureum (n.d.). Retrieved 8/2/21 from https://smartgardenguide.com/blue-star-fern-care/
Blue Star Fern Care: Phlebodium aureum (2021). Retrieved 8/2/21 from https://houseplantcentral.com/phlebodium-aureum-blue-star-fern-care/
Rehman, S. (n.d.). Blue Star Fern: Detailed Blue Star Fern Care Sheet. Retrieved 8/2/21 from https://gardeningzeal.com/blue-star-fern/
Shinn, M. (2016). Blue Star Fern is a Houseplant for Low Light. Retrieved 8/2/21 from https://www.hortmag.com/plants-we-love-2/blue-star-fern-is-a-houseplant-for-low-light