Phlebodium aureum ‘Blue Star’

The Blue Star Fern (Phlebodium aureum ‘Blue Star’). This cultivar of the Golden Polypody is celebrated for its distinctive foliage: arching, deeply lobed fronds that emerge in a soft, powdery blue-green, creating a calming, spa-like effect in any room.

Native to the tropical forests of the Americas, from Florida and the Caribbean down to South America, this fern grows naturally as an epiphyte—using its creeping, golden-scaled rhizomes to cling to trees. This epiphytic heritage is key to its easy-going nature. While many ferns demand constant moisture and high humidity, the Blue Star Fern is far more forgiving, tolerating average household conditions and even brief periods of dryness between waterings. It also makes a great hanging basket subject, where its fuzzy golden rhizomes and cascading fronds can be fully appreciated.

It is often called the “Zinc Fern” due to its greyish deep blue-green leaf colour. The Blue Star Fern is a wonderful choice for those new to ferns and a refreshing, architectural addition for collectors.

Care Instructions: Provide bright, indirect light for the best growth and to maintain the vibrant blue-green color. It can also tolerate lower light levels, but growth may be slower. Avoid direct sunlight, which can scorch the fronds. Keep the soil consistently moist but never soggy. Water when the top 1 inch of the substrate feels dry to the touch. Do not water into the crown, as this can lead to rot. Reduce watering in winter.