Phlebodium aureum ‘Blue Star’
Pale blue epiphytic fern tolerates varied light and tight plantings.
 Height | 2–3 |
|---|---|
 Width | 2–3 |
 Tolerates | Pots |
 Water needs | Moderate |
Water this plant regularly, when the top inch or so of soil feels dry. If you establish this pattern over several years, then you can cut back to watering every week or two in dry weather. Use drippers, emitters, or a slow stream of water so that it doesn't run off; allow the water to trickle all the way down through the deepest layers of soil. In a pot slowly water the entire surface until water comes out of the bottom of your pot. | |
 Hardy to | 32°F |
 Exposure | Full Shade – Part Sun |
 Plant traits | Epiphyte, Foliage Feature, Vertical Gardening |
 Indoor / outdoor | Outdoor |
 Drainage | In Ground: Planting Mix, In Pots: Potting Soil |
 Fertilizing | All Purpose |
 Origin | Tropical Americas |
 California native | No |
 Sunset zones | 17, 21–24 |
Stories featuring this plant
Garden storyPhlebodium areolatum and Phlebodium aureum 'Blue Star'Phlebodium aureum 'Blue Star' fern is one of our favorite versatile plants, growing happily in the Bay Area either indoors or out.
Garden storyPlant-Filled SF Eichler HideawayA mid-century Eichler home in SF, with its warm wood paneling, sleek concrete floors, and flood of light from inner courtyards, is the perfect place to grow a lush indoor garden. Some longtime FGG friends invited us into their home to share their houseplant inspiration.
More Info
This plant was grown for an outdoor environment, so we do not recommend moving it inside. In general we do not recommend moving plants raised for an outdoor environment indoors.
This plant would make a good houseplant if it had been grown in a controlled greenhouse with houseplant soil. This 'greenhousing' ensures that plants who come home with you are well acclimated to indoor life, and also that they don't have any pests. It is common for outdoor plants to have other passengers as well, such as earthworms or centipides that don't necessarily hurt the plant, but aren't welcome indoors.
If you consider yourself an expert gardener, you can of course attempt to transition this plant indoors. In that case you'll want to strip all the soil from the rootball, wash the roots clean and then spray the entire plant (leaves, undersides of the leaves, all the cracks and roots) with a mix of one tablespoon of rubbing alcohol in a cup of water. Repot the plant in the appropriate sterile soil/pot and take extra care as it transitions to the indoors, especially looking for pests and treating at the first sign of problems. Always consider the risk that any bugs could also affect other houseplants you have nearby.
For some plants, we sell two versions: outdoor-grown and greenhouse-grown. If you're looking to grow this plant indoors, feel free to ask our staff if we have a greenhouse-grown version in stock!
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The above information reflects the observations of Grubb and Nadler and our extended plant community. We always consider input from fellow horticulturists and welcome feedback from those with additional information on the culture of this plant.
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