How to Grow & Care for Phlebodium Aureum ‘Blue Star Fern’ (2024)

Hey Folks!! welcome back!! 

Do you know about one of the plants named Blue Star Fern if yes, then you are going great in your gardening field. It is scientifically known as Phlebodium aureum. As you know the ferns are tricky to grow in your home garden, but not the blue star fern as it is one of the easiest plants to grow as they are happy with the humid environment of your home. 

You will be able to recognize the blue star fern because of its blue-toned beauty. Being native to the tropical rainforest of South America, it tends to grow on trees. It cherishes you with its elongated, wavy, bluish-green colored Fronds.

So, let’s get started to know how to grow Phlebodium aureum in your home garden. 

	Quick information
Common name	Blue Star Fern, Cabbage Palm Fern, Gold Foot Fern
Sunlight	Bright indirect sunlight
Soil used	Loose, well-draining
Water requirements	Water if the top inch of soil is dry
Pruning	Beginning of the growing season
Mature size	24 inches as a houseplant
Bloom Time	Does not flower

How to grow Phlebodium Aureum ‘Blue Star Fern’? 

In my previous articles, I suggested you grow your plant with the help of stem cuttings but not this time as this plant does not produce new plants with the help of stem cuttings. 

They prefer to develop new plants with the help of the Root division method. So, let’s follow the steps:

Step 1- First, you have to pull the root ball from the pot.

Step 2- Shake it to Remove all the excess soil from it if possible you can remove all the soil.

Step 3- Also, you will observe the individual corms that might be twisted so you have to apart them. 

Step 4- By cutting it, you can choose a pot with good drainage holes.

Step 5- As you know each plantlet has roots and leaves so you can Put them in different containers.

Step 6– In a pot filled with good potting mix, you have to put them and let your plant grow by fulfilling all its needs mentioned below in the guide. 

Pro Tips 

• Make sure to place your plant in bright indirect sunlight.
• Keep the soil moist to avoid over-watering in the plant.
• Place them in a warm location to receive a good amount of humidity.
• Provide your plant with a good and well-drained potting mix. 

How to care for Phlebodium Aureum ‘Blue Star Fern’?

Growing a plant is easy but maintaining it is somehow a difficult one. But not anymore as we are here for you. 

Let’s see some of the caring tips of Phlebodium Aureum ‘Blue Star Fern’: 

• Sunlight
• Watering
• Soil
• Fertilizer
• Humidity and Temperature 
• Pruning
• Potting and Repotting 

Let’s know about them in detail:  

Sunlight needs

• Phlebodium aureum prefers to grow in the bright, but indirect sunlight, that is between 10,000-20,000 lux. 
• As this plant grows on the trunk of tall trees, so it depicts that the plant grows in the shade of its canopy. 
• Place your plant near the north or even east-facing window so that it can receive a good amount of sunlight indirectly.
• Make sure not to keep your plant in full sunlight as it will harm the plant’s growth. 

Watering needs

• Phlebodium aureum likes to remain moist so it needs a good amount of water to thrive well. 
• But overwatering this plant is not a good thing as it will not let the plant survive at its best when the roots are not comfortable, they can not breathe and die. 
• You have to water the plant when the soil completely dries out as it shows that the plant needs water. 
• I suggested giving water to your plants regularly, instead of this you have to check the soil moisture so that you come to know if the plant needs water. 

Humidity and Temperature needs

• The ideal temperature range of Phlebodium Aureum ‘Blue Star Fern’ lies between 57 to 81°F (14 to 27°C). 
• Being a native of the subtropics, this plant likes to remain in the warm conditions for their growth. 
• Make sure you’re not exposing your plant to the cold drafts and also keep them away from the cold windows as it is not good for the plant.
• The ideal humidity level for Phlebodium Aureum ‘Blue Star Fern’ is 75% or more than that. 
• To provide a good amount of humidity to your plant, you can place it near the bathroom as it is a humid area.
• Lastly, you can make use of a small humidifier by grouping your plants so that it boosts the plant.  

Soil needs 

• Phlebodium aureum likes to grow in the well-draining soil for its growth. But as you know this plant attaches itself to the tree bar and grows on it. 
• So, when you opt for its soil, then choose loose soil that contains a good amount of organic matter. 
• The ideal pH level for Phlebodium aureum is 5.6 to 6.0 which is acidic. 
• Also, you can mix the ingredients like orchid bark, and perlite into the potting mix to make it more nutritious for the plant. 

Fertilizer needs

• Phlebodium Aureum likes to receive fertilizer occasionally as it helps the plant grow well. 
• During the time of early spring and summer, it is recommended to fertilize your plant every few months in this season.
• The ideal fetilzier ratio for your Phlebodium Aureum is 10-10-10. Make use of a liquid fertilizer for feeding your plant. 
• Make sure you are diluting the mixture to its half strength so that it does not cause root rot in the plant or any other diseases. 
• Pour off the fertilizer to the plant after giving water to your plants so that it spreads equally in the soil. 

Potting and repotting needs

• Repotting is needed by the plants when they overgrow in their original pot and their roots come out from the drainage holes. 
• Sometimes, you grow your plant in a plastic container which makes the plant bend and damages the plant. 
• Phlebodium Aureum likes to be repotted after the span of every 1-2 years. 
• Make use of a glazed clay pot as it will keep the soil moist, so you have to choose a fresh potting mix for your plant. 

Pruning needs

• Phlebodium Aureum likes to be pruned so that the plant improves its shape to look attractive and away from pests. 
• Though the process of pruning is not necessary you have to trim out the outer leaves of the plants. 
• At the time of early springtime, you have to prune the plants as it is the right time to remove the dead and affected leaves from the plant. 
• For keeping the plant disease-free, you can prune the plant but not more than 1/3rd of its foliage. 

Wrapping up the context 

Folks, I am happy that you read the full guide and finally know the process to grow your Phlebodium Aureum ‘Blue Star Fern’ in your home garden. 

Still, if there remain any queries or doubts, then you can let me know about it or you can read the guide again to understand the process. 

I hope you are doing great in your gardening field. So, see you in the next guide till then safe gardening. 

Thanks for reading! Happy gardening!