Blue Star Fern

$7.99
Title

Blue Star Fern is an attractive tropical fern with long, narrow, wavy fronds that emerge from a central rhizome. The foliage has a distinctive soft blue-green to silvery-green colour and a naturally airy, arching growth habit. Unlike many ferns, it has a relatively robust appearance and does not require extremely high humidity to thrive.

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Details & Plant Care

Difficulty:

Easy to Moderate

Water:

Moist Soil

Humidity:

It appreciates moderate humidity but is generally more tolerant of average indoor conditions than many tropical ferns.

Pet Friendly:

Generally considered non-toxic to cats and dogs.

Light:

Bright Indirect Light

Plant Information

Common Names:

Blue Star Fern, Golden Polypody, Hare's-Foot Fern

Scientific Name:

Phlebodium aureum

Country Of Origin

Native to tropical and subtropical regions of the Americas, including parts of Florida, Mexico, Central America, South America, and the Caribbean.

Growth Rate:

Moderate

Soil Type:

A loose, organic-rich, well-draining but moisture-retentive potting mix. A combination of peat moss or coco coir, fine orchid bark, and perlite works well. Avoid burying the rhizomes, as this can encourage rot.

Fertilize:

Seasonally

Remember to only fertilize during their active growing season.

Common Pests

Scale Insects

Scale Insects

What To Look For: Small oval or round bumps on stems or leaves; they may look like part of the plant. Sticky residue/honeydew, sooty mold. Yellowing leaves, leaf drop, and decline in plant vigour.

How To Treat: Physically scrape or wipe off scale insects when you see them; use your fingernail or a soft brush. Use horticultural/plant-safe oils or insecticidal soap when the crawler stage is active. Re-inspect regularly because scale eggs and crawlers can hide under shells.

Mealybugs

Mealybugs

What To Look For: White, cottony or waxy masses on stems, leaf axils, underside of leaves. Sticky honeydew, sooty mold growth, yellowing or dropping leaves.

How To Treat: Use a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol to dab and remove visible bugs. Wash leaves and stems with gentle soapy water. In heavy infestations, consider removing very affected stems/leaves or, in the worst case, replacing the plant.

Spider Mites

Spider Mites

What To Look For: Very fine webbing under leaves or between stems and leaves (especially in dry indoor air). Leaves may appear stippled (tiny yellow or white dots) or dusty; they may turn yellow, brown or drop. When you tap a leaf onto white paper, you might see tiny moving specks. (Often too small to see easily)

How To Treat: Increase humidity around the plant (since mites thrive in dry air). Spray plant thoroughly (both sides of leaves) with insecticidal soap or a miticide/plant-safe oil; repeat every few days. In heavy infestations, consider removing severely affected sections; isolate the plant.

Aphids

Aphids

What To Look For: Small soft-bodied insects (green, yellow, black or orange) usually congregating on new growth, stems or leaf undersides. Sticky residue (“honeydew”) on leaves or nearby surfaces, sometimes with sooty mold developing on it. Distorted or curling leaves, wilting, slow growth.

How To Treat: Isolate the infested plant to prevent spread. Blast with water to dislodge many adults, especially on newer growth. Use insecticidal soap, making sure to cover the leaf underside and new growth. Repeat treatments every 7 days or so until no new signs appear. (Since they reproduce quickly)