- This plant mostly lives in South American forests
- Hardiness zones 9 and 10 are the best zones for this plant.
- You can propagate this plant by cutting baby leaves with roots coming out from the soil and replanting them.
- Humidity is a major factor for the blue star fern’s wellbeing.
- Direct sunlight will dry its leaves.
- Always keep the soil moist. Don’t let it dry out.
What is the best way to care for a blue star fern?
One of the nice things about blue star ferns is that they are not too demanding when it comes to temperature. During the summer and spring months, room temperature should be fine. When the winter comes, make sure the room is not too chilly. Frost can wreak havoc on your fern so place it indoors if you live in a cooler climate.
Where do Blue Star ferns come from?
Blue star fern comes from the tropical rain forests of South America, where it grows on trees without absorbing any moisture or nutrients from them. You can say it’s pretty similar to air plants in that way. In addition to the tropical South American region, blue star fern can be also found in North America.
Can I repot my Blue Star fern with orchid mix?
If you bring home a thriving Blue Star Fern planted in potting soil, it’s usually best to leave things as they are. Its roots have adapted to that soil. It can be tempting to repot using orchid mix; but, unless the soil is much too heavy, it’s probably unwise. Here are some considerations:
What is the best mix for Blue Star ferns?
An epiphytic orchid mix is ideal but Blue Star Ferns can tolerate any well-draining mix as long as care is taken to avoid overwatering. 57ºF (14ºC) to 81°F (27°C).
Can you grow Blue Star Fern in water?
Blue Star Fern Care SummaryScientific NamePhlebodium aureumWateringMaintain consistently moist soil by watering thoroughly once the surface of the soil is dry. Ensure good drainage.SoilAn epiphytic orchid mix is ideal but Blue Star Ferns can tolerate any well-draining mix as long as care is taken to avoid overwatering.12 more rows
How do you divide a blue fern?
To divide your plant, simply split the root base in half by gently teasing the root ball apart with your fingers (can be quartered if the plant is well enough established, as long as there is sufficient young growth in each section) and re pot each section into an appropriate sized pot filled with a free draining ...
Why are the tips of my Blue Star Fern turning brown?
Humid air and an absence of dry soil are what keeps this genus happy, so dry air will lead to browning leaf tips and weakened growth. Either mist weekly or introduce a humidity tray to keep life manageable.
What kind of soil do Blue Star Ferns like?
7:239:27Blue Star Fern Care and Repotting - MASSIVE FERN! - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThey love bright indirect light mine is gonna sit out here in the shade. It's gonna get deep oldMoreThey love bright indirect light mine is gonna sit out here in the shade. It's gonna get deep old tree light like you see here all day long it's gonna be so happy that being said you can definitely
How do I take a cutting from a fern?
Propagating ferns from clippings Fronds can be bowed over and pegged down on the surface of a tray positioned next to the mother plant, then detached once rooted. Fern fronds can also be removed then placed and pegged to encourage rooting (facing upwards) on the surface of a tray of compost.
How do you divide a blue star creeper?
When dividing blue star creeper, carefully dig around the rhizomes and root ball, preserving as many roots as possible. Gently separate plants from one another, and plant immediately.
How do you propagate star fern?
Propagation via division It is very easy to create new plants from your Blue Star Fern by dividing them when they become large. The plant grows in sections rather than from one central stem, these sections can be divided off as they include all the vital parts of the plant; roots, stems, leaves/fronds.
How often should you water a Blue Star Fern?
Blue Star Ferns enjoy weekly watering sessions, keeping their soil moist but not wet. They also like to keep their leaves dry, so water from the sides and without getting her leaves wet. Allow the top 2' of her soil to dry out between waterings during fall and winter.
Can Blue Star Ferns go outside?
If planting outside, place these ferns, or better yet, hang them, in full to dappled shade. Indoors, it will thrive close to a window but avoid direct sunlight, as this can burn the leaves.
Does a Blue Star Fern like to be misted?
Don't water on a schedule; water when the plant needs it. There is no need to mist this fern or place it on a humidity tray filled with pebbles. Blue star ferns don't favor high humidity quite as much as some other fern species.
Should you mist a Blue Star Fern?
Blue Star Ferns don't like to get their leaves or fuzzy orange rhizomes wet. So when you're watering, gently push the leaves away and water from the side. You can, however, gently mist them occasionally if the humidity is too low. They also don't like the soil to be wet and soggy.
How big does a Blue Star Fern get?
The Blue Star Fern is a fast-growing plant which typically reaches an ultimate height of around 0.5 to 1 metre.
Should you mist a blue star fern?
You don’t really need to mist this fern since it doesn’t like high humidity.
Do blue star ferns need humidity?
Not really. Blue star ferns can quickly adapt to your average indoor humidity levels so a humidifier is not required. If the air moisture is less t...
Why is my blue star fern dying?
It is most probably due to over-watering or under-watering. If the fronds seem dry and brown, your fern has either been burnt by direct sunlight, e...
Should I cut the dead leaves off my blue star fern?
Yes, absolutely. Pruning is essential to remove the dead or damaged leaves as well as to maintain the size of the fern. If you don’t remove those d...
Is Epsom salt good for ferns?
Yes! Epsom salts work wonders on all kinds of ferns including the blue star. If you want your fern leaves to get that deep, rich dark green color,...
What does an overwatered fern look like?
The most visible sign that your fern is overwatered is wilted or yellowing leaves. Before you water the plant, touch the soil with your fingertips....
Where does blue star fern come from?
Blue star fern comes from the tropical rain forests of South America, where it grows on trees without absorbing any moisture or nutrients from them. You can say it’s pretty similar to air plants in that way.
What is a blue star fern?
Blue star fern ( phlebodium aureum) is a beautiful green-blue color plant fern with elongated fronds. If you are looking for a fern that is relatively low-maintenance and thrive in lower-light conditions, blue star might be an astute choice.
When do blue star ferns outgrow?
When ferns stay healthy, they outgrow their pots every few years. When you notice that your blue star fern seems to dry out very quickly or the rhizomes are pushing out against the side of the pot, it’s time to repot.
Do ferns need sunlight?
As mentioned earlier, this fern naturally grows on trees in the forests where most of the light is obstructed by the tree canopies. So, while your fern doesn’t need much light, it will need some for sure. As long as you don’t expose the fern to direct scorching sun, it will be fine.
Do blue star ferns need moist soil?
Blue star ferns need constantly moist soil and a humid environment. However, make sure the water doesn’t stand in the pot for too long or the fern will suffer. The operating word here is “moist” and not “wet”!
How to propagate a blue star fern?
The common way to propagate a Blue Star Fern is by dividing the rhizome. You can grow new plants from spores, but it’s a much slower process. Here are the steps of rhizome division: Prepare a planting container using an Orchid mix or another well-draining medium with a lot of aeration.
How to keep blue star ferns from destroying soil?
Consider using filtered or distilled water. Use room temperature water to avoid chilling the roots. Flush the soil with each watering to avoid a buildup of evaporated residue.
What is a blue star fern?
The Blue Star Fern ( Phlebodium aureum) isn’t a typical finicky fern. It’s actually an epiphyte that naturally lives in a variety of arboreal and terrestrial settings. Its thin leaves are textured and shaped like fat fingers … their standout feature is their attractive and soothing blue-green color.
What is the difference between a blue rabbit's foot fern and a blue star?
Phlebodium pseudoaureum (Blue Rabbit’s Foot Fern, Virginia Blue) – This plant, also known as Phlebodium areolatum, has thinner and less rounded leaves than the Blue Star, but the care is the same. Phlebodium decumanum – This tropical variety is commercially farmed for a nutritional extract said to reduce chronic fatigue and aid muscle recovery.
Why is my houseplant turning purple?
Good air circulation is important. If your plant’s foliage is turning purple or brown, it may be caused by wet rhizomes or water in the crown. Brown tips on fronds are often caused by tap water or soil loaded with salts, minerals, and other chemicals ( read more about water quality for houseplants here ).
How tall do blue star ferns grow?
Blue Star Ferns make excellent terrarium plants when young and small. They can grow to three feet high outside but typically stay smaller in pots. This fern has a certain ruggedness that many of its family lacks. It tends to grow slowly with cycles of higher growth between periods of less activity.
How to increase humidity in blue star fern?
Grouping plants: Putting plants together raises their humidity slightly through mutual transpiration. It’s better to group your Blue Star Fern with other moisture-loving plants for maximum effect. Water Trays: A tray filled with pebbles and water is an easy, low-tech means to modestly increase humidity.
How to propagate a blue star fern?
Propagate a Blue Star Fern by diving the root system or cutting off a piece of rhizome while repotting it. You can also grow a new plant from the spores, but please refer to the section on blooms.
Why isn't my blue star fern growing?
If your Blue Star Fern isn’t growing much, it could be a sign of overwatering so check the soil and adjust the watering schedule until you find what works.
What are the problems with blue star ferns?
The biggest problems you might encounter are rotting roots from excess moisture and unflattering yellow foliage from incorrect watering or exposure to sunlight.
How to tell if a blue star fern has burned leaves?
If you experience burned leaves, simply adjust your plants’ location and trim off the damaged fronds. Your Blue Star Fern will show you it’s not getting enough light by dropping its leaves. Foliage will become sad and droopy looking before this so make sure to move it to a sunnier spot if you notice this.
What do blue star ferns look like?
The fronds look like blue-green lobed leaves, that sometimes show off some silver and grey coloring. Looking under the leaves will reveal bright-organge clusters of sporangia that hold the fern’s spores. From terrariums to pots, your Blue Star Fern will adapt to a broad range of growing conditions.
Where do epiphytic ferns grow?
Originally found growing on trees in the high parts of the forest canopy, this epiphytic fern has found a permanent place inside homes as a trusty houseplant. The word aureum means yellow and refers to the fuzzy orange rhizome roots that poke out from the soil.
How to replicate tropical conditions?
To replicate tropical conditions, keep the soil moist, but not wet, by watering weekly. Water your plant when the top two inches of soil get dry. You can check this by poking your finger into the surface. Water slowly from the side and pour out the water that from the dish underneath so the roots don’t sit in water.
How to propagate a blue star fern?
You can propagate this plant by cutting baby leaves with roots coming out from the soil and replanting them. Humidity is a major factor for the blue star fern’s wellbeing. Direct sunlight will dry its leaves. Always keep the soil moist. Don’t let it dry out.
How to keep blue star ferns alive?
Warmth and humidity are significant survival factors for this plant. If you own a small greenhouse tower that can be placed in your home , this would be the best way to help the blue star fern thrive and live a long life. Don’t let the temperature in the home or greenhouse drop below 50f. If you do, then the leaves of the plant will cause its leaves to curl.
Why do blue star ferns have root rot?
Root rot is a prevalent disease for this plant. Because the soil must always stay moist, it’s easy to overwater it. You will see root rot appear on the blue star fern when the bottom of the plant starts to become discolored and turn brown.
What is the purpose of fern scales?
Fern scales are small insects that suck out sap from ferns, which destroys their stems and kills leaves. They must be disposed of quickly before they multiple and kill the fern. If their numbers are low, pick them off by hand and then spray a neem oil spray on the plant to keep them away.
What temperature is good for a sage plant?
3. Climate and temperatures. Room temperature, around 72 degrees, is good enough for this plant.
Can you add perlite to potting soil?
If you need soil that drains faster, you can add perlite to your potting soil to improve drainage. The soil has to remain moist always, and don’t allow it to dry out. But don’t soak it, especially around the roots. You can include rocks at the bottom of the container for even more drainage.
Can you repot a blue start fern?
Only repot this plant when its roots are coming out of the drainage holes. When you choose a container, you can use a large or small one. If the soil drains quickly, the size of the pot doesn’t matter. When you repot the blue start fern, you may want to cut off any baby plants growing from the root ball and propagate them.
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