The Blue Star Fern (Phlebodium aureum), also known as the Cabbage Palm Fern or Golden Polypody, is a popular houseplant known for its easy care and lush, blue-green foliage. This tropical fern is native to Central and South America and naturally grows as an epiphyte in rainforests.
👀 Overview
Some key features of the Blue Star Fern:
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Evergreen foliage with leatherly, blue-green fronds. The new growth is sword-shaped, then matures into deeply lobed leaves.
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Grows up to 3 feet tall and wide outdoors. Typically reaches 1-2 feet indoors.
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Creeping, fuzzy, golden rhizomes cover the soil surface. These modified stems produce new fronds.
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Prefers warm, humid environments with bright, indirect light. More adaptable to home conditions than many ferns.
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Relatively fast growing. Matures in around 5 years.
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Low maintenance. Only needs occasional watering, humidity, and fertilization.
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Non-toxic and pet/child safe.
| 📖 Common name | Blue Star Fern, Golden Polypody, Golden Serpent Fern |
| 🔬 Botanical name | Phlebodium aureum |
| 🫴 Care Difficulty level | Easy |
| ☠️ Toxicity | Non-toxic to pets and humans |
| 💨 Air-purifying Qualities | Yes |
| 🌱 Soil Type and pH | Well-draining, peat-based soil with neutral pH |
| ☀️ Sun Exposure | Low to medium indirect light |
| 🍪 Edibility | Not edible |
| 🌴 Plant type | Fern |
| 🍃 Foliage Type | Evergreen |
| 🌿 Color of leaves | Bluish-green |
| 🌸 Flower color | No flowers |
| 💥 Bloom time | N/A |
| 🚀 Growth Speed | Slow to moderate |
| 📏 Mature Size | Up to 3 feet wide and 1-2 feet tall |
| 🔄 Life Cycle | Perennial |
| 🌍 Hardiness zones | 9-11 |
| 🗺️ Native area | Tropical regions of the Americas |
💚 Blue Star Fern Care
Caring for a Blue Star Fern involves providing the right growing conditions to mimic its tropical habitat. Here are the key care tips:
☀️ Light ☀️
The Blue Star Fern grows best in medium to bright, indirect light. Near an east or west window is ideal. Avoid direct southern sun exposure. These plants can adapt to lower light areas, but will become more sparse and leggy.
Provide bright light without any direct sun beams on the foliage. Sheer curtains can help diffuse the sunlight.
💧 Water
Keep the soil consistently moist, but avoid sogginess. Water the fern whenever the top 1-2 inches become dry.
Water thoroughly until it drains from the pot. Allow excess water to drain fully. Empty any water that collects in cache pots or trays.
Avoid getting the fronds wet. Water at the base of the plant. The rhizomes are prone to rot if kept too wet.
Rainwater or distilled water is best since tap water contains minerals that can build up. Room temperature water prevents shock.
🪴 Soil
Blue Star Ferns need an airy, porous potting mix. Use an orchid bark based mix or create your own using equal parts potting soil, perlite, and orchid bark.
The pot should have drainage holes and be made of plastic or glazed ceramic rather than terra cotta which wicks away moisture too quickly.
🍼 Fertilizer
Feed with a balanced liquid fertilizer diluted to half strength every 2-3 months during spring through summer. Flush the soil to remove any built up salts.
Reduce feeding over winter when growth is dormant. Never fertilize a stressed plant.
🌡️ Temperature
Ideal temperatures are 60-80°F (16-27°C). Avoid lower than 50°F (10°C). The fern will suffer leaf damage if exposed to frost.
Keep the plant away from drafty areas. Move outdoor plants inside before fall frost.
💦 Humidity
Average to high humidity is preferred, around 40-60%. Bathrooms or kitchens provide ideal humidity.
Use a pebble tray or humidifier to increase moisture. Group plants together for a moist microclimate.
📃 Types of Blue Star Fern
There are a few varieties of the Blue Star Fern to choose from:
- Phlebodium aureum (species) – regular ruffled fronds
- Phlebodium aureum ‘Blue Star’ – round, stubby fronds
- Phlebodium aureum ‘Crispum’ – heavily ruffled, crested fronds
- Phlebodium aureum ‘Denta’ – sharply toothed leaf margins
- Phlebodium pseudoaureum – narrower fronds, very similar care
🪴 Potting and Repotting Blue Star Fern
Repot the Blue Star Fern every 2-3 years in the spring. Choose a pot only slightly larger and use fresh potting mix.
Dividing the fern while repotting will maintain the size and promote bushiness. Gently separate the rhizomes and roots.
Keep the rhizomes exposed above the soil. Try not to disturb the roots. Water well after repotting.
✂️ Pruning Blue Star Fern
Remove dead or damaged fronds at any time to maintain an attractive appearance. Clean pruners should be used to avoid disease transmission.
Pruning for shaping can be done in spring before new growth emerges. Don’t remove more than 1/3 of fronds.
🌱 How to Propagate Blue Star Fern
Propagate Blue Star Ferns through rhizome division while repotting or by using the spores.
For division, separate healthy rhizomes with roots attached. Plant in a moist soil mix. New growth will form after several weeks.
For spores, allow them to dry and detach from the fronds. Sprinkle over moist soil and keep humid. Growth is very slow.
🐛 Common Pests
Potential pests include:
- Mealybugs – Treat with alcohol spray or insecticidal soap.
- Spider mites – Rinse leaves to dislodge, use neem oil if infestation occurs.
- Scale – Wipe off individually with a cotton swab dipped in alcohol.
- Aphids – Use insecticidal soap sprays targeting the undersides of leaves.
Quarantine new plants and keep ferns away from infested plants. Remove severely infested foliage.
🩺 Common Problems With Blue Star Fern
Here are some common issues Blue Star Ferns may develop:
Leaves Turning Brown
- Low humidity – Increase ambient humidity.
- Underwatering – Check soil moisture regularly and don’t let it dry out.
- Sunburn – Move to a shadier spot.
Leaves Turning Yellow
- Overwatering – Allow soil to partially dry before watering.
- Mineral buildup – Flush soil with distilled water to remove salts.
- Insufficient light – Provide brighter, indirect light.
Leaves Falling Off
- Transplant shock – Allow the fern to adjust to its new pot, increase humidity.
- Cold drafts – Move plant away from drafty windows or vents.
Leaves Curling
- Low humidity – Use a humidifier or pebble tray near the plant.
- Underwatering – Increase water frequency.
🖼️ Display Ideas
The Blue Star Fern’s cascading fronds look great in hanging baskets or on plant stands:
- Hang a Blue Star Fern in a basket near a bright window to allow the fronds to spill over the sides. Go for an open wire basket to provide more humidity around the fern.
- Set the fern on a pedestal plant stand at different heights to create a waterfall effect with the arching fronds. Choose sturdy stands if displaying large plants.
- Arrange a group of young Blue Star Ferns together on a tray or plant table. Their colorful new growth will contrast nicely.
- Use the fern’s ability to adapt to lower light to display it in a floor plant stand tucked in a corner or flanking furniture.
- For a woodland theme, combine the fern with other shade lovers like philodendrons, prayer plants, or pothos.
👍 Pro Tips for Healthy Growth
Here are some useful tips to help your Blue Star Fern thrive:
- Allow the soil to partially dry out between waterings. Constant soggy soil will lead to root rot.
- Wipe fern leaves regularly with a damp cloth to remove dust and increase humidity. Avoid leaf shine sprays.
- Rotate the plant every couple weeks so all sides get even light exposure and growth.
- Keep ferns away from heating and AC vents to avoid temperature extremes and dry air.
- Prune back trailing rhizomes to encourage a fuller, bushier plant. Leave some to grow.
- Repot before the fern becomes severely rootbound, which causes lower foliage dieback.
- Propagate new plants often to maintain vigor. Old plants may decline after several years.
- Never repot, divide, or propagate an unhealthy fern. Wait until it has recovered its strength.
❓ FAQ
Bright indirect light is best. Near an east or west window works well. Avoid direct sun which can scorch the leaves.
Water whenever the top inch of soil has dried out. Aim to keep the soil consistently moist but not soggy wet.
Use a chunky, airy mix like orchid potting soil. You can make your own mix with potting soil, perlite and orchid bark.
Ideal temperatures are 60-80°F. Avoid cold drafts and frost. Move plants indoors in winter if outdoors.
Use a pebble tray, keep in a bathroom, or use a humidifier. Ferns prefer 40% humidity or higher.
Use a balanced liquid fertilizer every 2-3 months in the spring and summer. Dilute to half-strength.
Remove dead or damaged fronds at any time. For shaping prune before spring growth. Don’t remove over 1/3 of fronds.
Divide the rhizomes while repotting. You can also try growing new plants from dried spores.
Brown crispy fronds are caused by low humidity, underwatering, or too much sun. Improve conditions to prevent it.
📝 Final Thoughts
With its easy-going nature, lush texture, and tropical appeal, the Blue Star Fern makes an excellent addition to both beginner and experienced indoor gardeners. By providing moderate to high humidity, indirect sunlight, warm temperatures, and frequent watering this fern will thrive indoors. Following the care tips above will help keep your Blue Star Fern healthy for years to come.
📚 Further Reading
📚 References
📘 Blue Star Fern Profile – University of Florida IFAS Extension.
📘 Insect Pests of Indoor Ferns – University of Kentucky College of Agriculture, Food, and Environment.
