Blue Star Fern
Phlebodium aureum
Traits
Varieties We Bring In
Last received Mar 13, 2026.
We bring this in seasonally, so what is on the lot changes week to week. A received date shows when it last came in, not that it is here today.
Call (904) 471-0440 to confirm this plant and size before you make the trip.
About Blue Star Fern
Phlebodium aureum, blue star fern, is a tropical rhizomatous fern native to the Americas with deeply lobed, blue-green fronds and creeping golden rhizomes. It grows naturally as an epiphyte in humid forests and is widely grown as a low-maintenance indoor plant prized for its distinctive blue-green foliage. Starting at $39.95.
Plant details
- Bloom Season
- Non-flowering
- Flower Color
- Non-flowering
- Growth Rate
- Moderate
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Soil
- Loam, Acidic, Well-drained, Organic
Best planting months
Seasonal care
Good planting window.
Active growing season.
Ideal planting window.
Retains foliage through winter.
Care essentials
Blue Star Fern thrives in bright indirect light, dappled shade, or full shade — avoid direct afternoon sun, which scorches the blue-green fronds. In NE Florida, it performs beautifully under tree canopy, in shaded beds, or epiphytically in cabbage palm boots.
Keep soil evenly moist but never waterlogged; allow the top inch to dry between waterings. Florida's natural humidity greatly benefits this fern — reduce watering in winter. Good drainage is essential to prevent rhizome rot.
Plant in loose, well-draining, acidic soil amended with organic matter or orchid bark to mimic its natural epiphytic habitat. Fertilize lightly with a diluted balanced liquid fertilizer at quarter-strength every 6 weeks during spring and summer; avoid over-fertilizing.
Similar needs
Arrowhead Plant
Shares 4 of the same needs: shade, moderate water, acidic, and zone 9a hardiness.
Heartleaf Philodendron
Shares 4 of the same needs: shade, moderate water, loam, and zone 9a hardiness.
Staghorn Fern
Shares 4 of the same needs: shade, moderate water, organic, and zone 9a hardiness.
Orchid Cactus
Shares 4 of the same needs: shade, moderate water, loam, and zone 9a hardiness.
Autumn Fern
Shares 4 of the same needs: shade, moderate water, loam, and zone 9a hardiness.
Holly Fern
Shares 4 of the same needs: shade, moderate water, loam, and zone 9a hardiness.
You may also like
Common questions
Is Blue Star Fern a good plant for St. Augustine?
Blue Star Fern is a fern for Zone 9b coastal Florida gardens, reaching 2-3 feet × 2-3 feet.
Care information verified from
Last reviewed March 2026. Our care guidance comes from trusted horticulture sources and decades of helping St. Augustine gardeners. Conditions here can vary dramatically from one area to the next, so come ask us and we'll tailor it to your yard.