Blue star fern care guide

The blue star fern has wide, wavy fronds in a soft blue-green. The fronds are cut into long fingers, a bit like a star. Fuzzy, golden-brown rhizomes creep across the top of the soil. In the wild, it grows on tree trunks. Indoors, it is one of the easiest ferns. It handles lower light and drier air than most.

Light

Give it medium to bright indirect light. An east or north window is ideal. It handles lower light better than most ferns, but grows slower there.

Direct sun scorches the fronds and fades the blue color.

Water

Water when the top 2 to 3 cm (1 in) of soil is dry. Water until it drains, then empty the saucer. In winter, it needs water less often.

The rhizomes store some water, so it forgives a missed watering better than a Boston fern. Soggy soil rots the rhizomes. Read how to tell if a houseplant is overwatered or underwatered.

Soil and potting

Use an airy mix of houseplant soil and orchid bark. Its roots need air.

A shallow, wide pot suits it. The rhizomes grow sideways across the top of the soil. Never bury them. Buried rhizomes rot.

Repot every two years in spring, or when the rhizomes fill the pot. See how to repot a houseplant step by step.

Humidity and temperature

Average room air is fine. It grows fuller with more humidity. Keep it away from heat vents.

Keep it between 16 and 27°C (60 and 80°F), and above 10°C (50°F).

Feeding

Feed monthly in spring and summer with a balanced liquid fertilizer at half strength. Skip feeding in fall and winter.

Spores

Rows of round, golden dots may show up under older fronds. These are spores. They are normal and not a pest. Do not scrape them off.

Pruning

Cut brown or yellow fronds off at the rhizome. New fronds unroll from the rhizome tips.

Propagation

Divide it in spring. Ease the plant out of its pot. Cut the rhizomes into pieces with a clean knife. Each piece needs a few fronds and some roots. Set each piece on top of fresh mix in its own pot. Pin it down if it wobbles.

Problems

What you see	Most likely cause
Brown, crispy fronds	Dry soil, or dry air near a heat vent
Yellow fronds and soggy soil	Too much water
Soft, mushy rhizomes	Rot from wet or buried rhizomes
Faded, scorched fronds	Too much direct sun
Golden dots under the fronds	Spores. This is normal.
Slow growth	Low light, or winter. Both are normal.

Pests

Pests are rare. Scale and mealybugs can hide on the rhizomes. Dab them with rubbing alcohol on a cotton swab.

Pet safety

Blue star fern is a true fern. The ASPCA lists many true ferns, such as Boston fern and rabbit’s foot fern, as non-toxic to cats and dogs. Cats Protection in the UK lists blue star fern as safe for cats.

Varieties

• Phlebodium aureum ‘Blue Star’ has smooth, blue-green fronds. It is the one most stores sell.
• Phlebodium aureum ‘Mandaianum’ has ruffled, wavy edges on its fronds.
• Phlebodium aureum ‘Davana’ has deep-cut, ruffled fronds with a strong blue color.