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Blue Star Fern Care: A Complete Guide for Growing Indoors

Blue star fern growing in a pot indoors

Blue star fern rewards good care with bold, bluish-green fronds and long-lasting growth indoors.

Photo Credit
VH-Studio
Botanical Name
Phlebodium aureum
Plant Type
Houseplants
Ferns
Sun Exposure
Part Sun
Soil pH
Acidic
Hardiness Zone
8
9
10
11

Light, Water, and Humidity Needs for Healthy Growth

Written By: Lauren Landers Master Gardener and Contributing Writer

Ferns can be fussy to keep as houseplants, but you don’t need to wish on a star to keep this one happy. Blue star fern care is refreshingly straightforward compared to many other fern species. These resilient ferns handle low humidity and dry soil better than most. They can be grown in pots or wall mounts, and their bluish-green fronds offer a striking contrast to the bright green leaves most ferns are known for. If you love the look of ferns but have struggled to grow them in the past, here’s why blue star ferns are hard to beat and simple care tips for growing your own!

About Blue Star Fern Plants

Also known as the cabbage palm fern, hare foot fern, and golden serpent fern, blue star ferns grow wild from southeastern Georgia and southern Florida through the Caribbean and along the Atlantic coast of South America. In nature, these epiphytic ferns grow in the canopies of trees and cling to branches with their creeping rhizomatous roots. However, in homes, these plants are perfectly content in pots or hanging baskets, and they can be cultivated outdoors year-round in zones 8 and up if your garden receives sufficient rainfall.

When compared to other fern species, blue star ferns have a bold look with bluish-green to greyish-green, deeply lobed fronds that can grow up to 50 inches long. As long as these plants are watered regularly and provided with low to medium light, they are relatively easy to keep in homes and aren’t that particular about humidity. Still, blue star ferns prefer slightly humid conditions and will grow even better on a pebble tray or near a humidifier.

Close-up of blue star fern leaves
Blue star fern leaves blue-green cast and deeply lobed shape that sets this plant apart from other houseplant ferns. Credit: Wirestock

Over the years, I’ve had a hard time keeping ferns alive in my home, but I’ve always had success growing blue star ferns. I personally grow these plants in pots filled with a well-draining potting mix, but they can be wall-mounted like staghorn ferns or grown in a roomy terrarium or grow cabinet. Best of all, blue star ferns are non-toxic to cats, dogs, and other pets, making them a safe choice for animal-friendly homes.

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Planting

Blue star ferns can be grown indoors as houseplants or outside in the garden in Zones 8 and up. I recommend repotting plants soon after purchase, as store-bought plastic containers can retain excess moisture, increasing the risk of root rot. Terracotta or ceramic pots work well, but growing them in hanging containers will let their golden rhizomes shine in all their glory!

Planting Blue Star Ferns in Pots

  1. Remove the plant from its nursery container and gently tease apart the roots to remove most of the old potting mix.
  2. Choose a new container with drainage holes that’s just slightly larger than the existing pot.
  3. Plant the fern at the same depth it was growing previously.
  4. Water thoroughly after planting.

Because blue star ferns are epiphytes, they grow best in an orchid potting mix or make a chunky potting mix yourself by blending bark and perlite into a standard houseplant potting mix.

Planting Blue Star Ferns Outdoors

To plant blue star ferns in the garden or outdoor containers:

  • Plant in spring, once the risk of frost has passed.
  • Select a well-draining location that remains shady throughout the day.
  • Dig a hole about 6 inches deep and amend the soil with compost.
  • Remove the fern from its pot and gently brush soil from the roots.
  • Position the plant so the crown sits even with or slightly above the soil line.
  • Backfill with soil, add mulch, and water well.

Growing

When properly maintained, blue star ferns typically live for about 10 to 20 years and grow to about 2 to 4 feet in height. If you want to increase the likelihood that your ferns stick around, do your best to mimic their natural growing conditions by providing your plants with filtered light, consistent watering, and a little extra humidity if you can. 

Growing these plants in a well-lit kitchen or bathroom can naturally raise humidity levels, but you can also boost humidity by positioning houseplants a little closer together and keeping them away from heating units and drafty spots.

Water
Like other ferns, blue star ferns prefer consistently moist soil and need to be watered regularly. However, the watering method you use will vary depending on the potting soil you used with your plants.

If you’re growing blue star ferns in a bark-based orchid mix, soak the plant’s pot and roots in a sink or bowl of water for 15 to 20 minutes once or twice a week in summer and a little less winter. Allow the pot to thoroughly drip dry before returning it to its saucer.

If you’re growing blue star ferns in a potting mix that holds onto water well, water the plants from the top-down when the top 1-inch of substrate feels dry to the touch. Just don’t water into the plant’s crown as this can lead to rot!
Light
Blue star ferns grow best in bright indirect light, but they can tolerate low light too. Just avoid keeping them in direct sun as this can lead to sunburnt leaves. If your plants are looking sparse, it may mean they need more light.
Humidity
Although blue star ferns can handle standard indoor humidity levels better than most ferns, they are happier when humidity is between 60 and 80%. Misting houseplants doesn’t effectively raise humidity levels and it’s much better to use a pebble tray or humidifier if your plants need a humidity boost.
Temperature
Standard room temperatures work for blue star ferns, but they’re at their best when temperatures range between 60 and 75°F. These plants should be kept away from drafty windows and heating units. Outdoor plants will only handle brief periods of frost and should be brought indoors or covered with cloches if extreme cold is on the forecast.
Fertilizer
These plants aren’t heavy feeders but they will produce more fronds if you lightly fertilize them in spring and summer with a monthly application of liquid kelp or another organic liquid fertilizer diluted to ½ strength.
Toxicity
Blue star fern is not toxic to cats, dogs, or humans, making it a safe houseplant for homes with pets and children.

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Pests/Diseases

Like other plants, blue star ferns are susceptible to a few common issues like pests and overwatering. However, these problems are less likely to occur if you stick to a set watering regimen and don’t allow your plants to get too stressed.

  • Pests such as spider mites and thrips may feed on blue star ferns, but they can be managed with weekly applications of an organic insecticide soap spray. Fungus gnats will also sometimes flock to these plants if they’re overwatered or grown in poorly draining pots.
  • Crown and root rot may set in if blue star ferns are overwatered or if you directly water into the plant’s crown.
  • Brown tips: If your blue star fern develops brown tips or leaves turn brown, this typically indicates that it is overwatered or needs more humidity. These plants can also develop brown fronds if grown in direct sun, but in this case, the browning will usually affect only the fronds closest to the window.
  • Symmetrical dots on fern fronds are no cause for alarm. These are just the fern’s spores and are perfectly normal!

Potting and Repotting

Repotting blue star ferns from time to time freshens their soil and helps to prevent issues like root rot. However, these plants grow slowly and don’t need to be repotted often!

How Often to Repot

You’ll only need to repot blue star ferns every 2 to 3 years, or when they outgrow their pots.

When to Repot

The best time to repot these plants is when they’re actively growing in spring and summer.

How to Repot

  • Remove the old pot: Holding your plant’s stems in one hand, gently wiggle the plant out of its old container. If the pot sticks, run a butterknife around the rim to free your fern.
  • Use fresh soil: Brush the soil with your fingers to tease apart the roots and remove some of the old soil. These plants should be repotted in an orchid bark mix or houseplant soil blended with bark and perlite for drainage.
  • Plant at the right depth: Locate the fern in its new pot so that the plant’s crown is at or slightly above the pot’s rim and backfill the empty space around your plant with potting mix. Water deeply to help your plant settle in and return it to its original growing location.

Propagation

The easiest way to propagate blue star ferns is by dividing mature plants when they get large or begin to outgrow their pots.

  • Time it right: The best time to propagate blue star ferns is in spring.
  • Remove the pot: Free your plant from its pot and lay it sideways on your work space.
  • Separate the divisions: Use your fingers to tease apart the fern’s rhizomes until you’ve separated the plant into clumps that each have leaves and rhizomes. If needed, use sterilized scissors or a knife to cut through entangled roots, but do your best to minimize root damage.
  • Replant ASAP: Replant the plant divisions in their own pots with a well-draining potting mix or orchid bark. Then, water consistently until you see new growth.

Seasonal Care
In warm climates, outdoor blue star ferns may remain evergreen year-round, but they can be deciduous in drier, cooler locations. If the fronds die back and turn brown, wait until spring to remove them with sharp pruners or scissors.

Indoor plants may become leggy in poor light and their fronds may naturally turn brown as they age. To improve the look of your plant, remove these damaged leaves in early spring and avoid pruning ferns during their winter dormancy. You’ll also need to water blue star ferns less and withhold all fertilizer from late fall to early spring.

Wit and Wisdom

Houseplants
About The Author
Lauren Landers

Lauren Landers

Master Gardener and Contributing Writer

Lauren is a gardener, writer, and public speaker with over a decade of experience helping others learn about gardening, homesteading, and sustainable living.She combines years of practical gardening a...
Read More from Lauren Landers

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