Blue Star Fern - The Unique Blue-Green Beauty
Prepare to fall in love with the absolutely stunning Blue Star Fern - a truly unique fern that brings an incredible blue-green shimmer to Australian homes! This gorgeous beauty features distinctively shaped fronds with a silvery-blue cast that sets it apart from every other fern you've ever seen, creating the most eye-catching and sophisticated display. Perfect for plant lovers who want something special, unusual, and surprisingly easy to care for.
Why Choose Blue Star Fern for Your Collection?
- Unique Blue-Green Colour: Stunning silvery-blue foliage creates an otherworldly shimmer that looks incredible in any light - you won't find this colour anywhere else in the fern world
- Fascinating Fuzzy Rhizomes: Golden-brown furry rhizomes creep along the soil surface, adding an extra layer of interest and texture to your display
- Pet-Safe Perfection: Completely non-toxic to cats and dogs, making it ideal for homes with curious pets
- Incredibly Forgiving: One of the easiest ferns to grow, tolerating lower humidity and occasional drying out far better than most ferns
- Distinctive Frond Shape: Deeply lobed, star-shaped fronds create dramatic architectural interest that photographs beautifully
Care Instructions for Australian Conditions
Light: Your Blue Star Fern thrives in bright, indirect light but adapts remarkably well to medium light conditions. In Australian homes, position near an east-facing window or several metres back from a north-facing window for optimal blue colouration. This adaptable beauty can even handle lower light better than most ferns, though the stunning blue shimmer is most pronounced in brighter conditions.
Watering: Allow the top 3-5cm of soil to dry out between waterings - this is what makes the Blue Star Fern so much easier than typical ferns. During Australian summer months (December-February), water when the soil feels dry to touch. In winter (June-August), reduce watering significantly and let the soil dry out more between waterings. Remember, every home environment is different - if you're using a chunky, well-draining medium, you'll need to water more often than if you're using a moisture-retentive mix. The fuzzy rhizomes store water, making this fern incredibly drought-tolerant compared to other varieties.
Temperature: Prefers Australian indoor temperatures between 16-24°C. This adaptable fern handles a wide temperature range beautifully and is more tolerant of temperature fluctuations than most ferns, though it should still be protected from extreme cold drafts and direct heat sources.
Humidity: Appreciates moderate humidity but is remarkably tolerant of average home humidity levels. Group your Blue Star Fern with other plants to naturally boost humidity if you'd like, but this variety is perfectly happy in typical Australian living spaces without any special humidity requirements. This is what makes it such a winner for beginners.
Fertilising: Feed with Growth Technology Foliage Focus every 6-8 weeks during the growing season (September-March in Australia). Use at 3-5ml per litre of water for soil-grown ferns. This complete nutrient formula will keep those stunning blue-green fronds looking vibrant and healthy, bringing out that gorgeous silvery shimmer.
Maintenance: Remove any damaged or yellowing fronds at the base to keep your Blue Star Fern looking fresh. The fuzzy golden rhizomes will creep along the soil surface - this is completely normal and adds to the plant's unique character. Avoid burying these rhizomes as they prefer to stay exposed on the surface.
Perfect For
- Beginners wanting an easy-care fern with unique colouring
- Pet owners seeking safe, non-toxic plants
- Creating modern, sophisticated plant displays
- Adding unusual blue-toned foliage to collections
- Plant parents who want low-maintenance drama
- Offices and spaces with average humidity levels
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Blue Star Fern safe for pets?
Yes! Blue Star Fern is completely non-toxic to cats and dogs, making it one of the safest and most unique options for pet-friendly homes. You can display it anywhere without worrying about curious pets, and those fuzzy rhizomes are safe too if your pets investigate them.
Why is my Blue Star Fern losing its blue colour?
If your Blue Star Fern is losing that gorgeous silvery-blue shimmer, it typically needs more light. Move it to a brighter location with indirect light and you should see the blue colouration return in new growth. The blue cast is most pronounced when the plant receives adequate bright, filtered light.
What are the fuzzy brown things on my Blue Star Fern?
Those are the rhizomes - the fuzzy, golden-brown structures that creep along the soil surface! They're a completely normal and fascinating part of your Blue Star Fern. These rhizomes store water and nutrients, which is why this fern is so much more drought-tolerant than other varieties. Leave them exposed on the surface rather than burying them in soil.
How often should I water my Blue Star Fern?
Watering frequency depends on your home environment and potting medium. Check the top 3-5cm of soil - when it feels dry, it's time to water. During Australian summer, this might be every 5-7 days, while in winter it could be every 10-14 days or even less. This fern is remarkably forgiving if you forget to water occasionally, making it perfect for busy plant parents. Chunky mixes dry faster than moisture-retentive mediums, so adjust based on your setup.
Can I grow Blue Star Fern in my bathroom?
Absolutely! Blue Star Fern thrives in bathroom conditions, especially if you have good light. However, unlike most ferns, it doesn't require bathroom humidity to succeed - it's equally happy in living rooms, bedrooms, or offices with average humidity levels. This versatility makes it incredibly easy to place anywhere in your home.
Every Blue Star Fern from Growing Grounds Australia is carefully selected for quality and that stunning blue-green colouration, ready to bring unique beauty to your space. We're passionate about connecting Australian plant lovers with distinctive, easy-care plants that bring something truly special to every home.
Please Note: As living plants, each specimen is unique and may vary in size, leaf count, and exact appearance from the images shown. The photos are representative examples of the quality and characteristics you can expect, but natural variations in shape, colour, and growth patterns make every plant one-of-a-kind. This individuality is part of what makes growing plants so special!
If you are from a quarantine restricted state and would like to purchase this plant we recommend using Paradise Distributors concierge service, make sure to contact them prior to purchasing: info@rareplants.net.au
Shipping & Greenhouse Collection
Let's Talk About How Your Plants Get to You!
Alright, so here's the deal with shipping - we try our best to send all our plants potted and ready to go, but sometimes due to larger orders or when we're moving through some big changes, we'll send some plants semi-bare rooted. If you haven't come across this before, it basically means we carefully remove a bunch of the soil before packing them up. I know that might sound a bit scary if you've never ordered plants online before, but trust me, this is actually a really smart way to do it! The main reason we do this is because it creates so much more room in the box, which means we can fit way more plants in one shipment for you. More plants in one box = more green goodness arriving at your door at once! The plants honestly handle the journey better without all that heavy, wet soil sloshing around too. Just make sure you've got some fresh potting mix ready to go when your green babies arrive, because they'll want to get tucked into their new home pretty quickly!
Now, let's chat about what actually fits in our boxes. We can safely fit about 4-6 plants in one box, or if you're stocking up on supplies, one box can hold 3 bags of medium plus 1L of Growth Technology. We really don't recommend adding heavy items with your plants though - it just puts extra stress on your precious plants during transit and limits how many we can fit. If your order ends up being heavier than our standard box can handle, we'll reach out to you about additional postage fees. We're always transparent about costs, no sneaky surprises!
When Does Everything Ship Out?
Here's how our timeline works - we process and ship orders the week after you place them. So if you order on a Tuesday, your plants will get packed and sent out sometime the following week. We ship Monday through Friday (because let's be real, we all need weekends to recharge!), and we're aiming to get your order out within 4-6 business days of processing. Sometimes things take a tiny bit longer because we're a small but mighty team, and we take absolute care in making sure every single plant is packed perfectly. Like, we're talking individual attention for each plant here. We don't rush this stuff!
Once your order ships, you'll get an email with your tracking number. If you haven't received that tracking email, it just means we're still working on your order - it hasn't left us yet. Please be patient with us! We promise we're working as fast as we can while still making sure everything is done right. We pack orders in chronological order to keep things fair for everyone, so no one's getting special treatment or jumping the queue. First come, first served, that's how we roll!
The Journey to Your Doorstep
All our orders ship with Australia Post, and here's something cool - they operate 24/7! That means even if your order gets sent out on a Friday afternoon, it's still making its way to you over the weekend. The postal system doesn't sleep, and honestly, that's pretty amazing for getting plants to you quickly. You can generally expect your plants to arrive within 2-7 days after we ship them, depending on where you are in Australia. Metro areas tend to be quicker, regional spots might take the full week, but either way, your tracking number will keep you in the loop the whole time.
And here's the thing that always blows people's minds - our plants are absolute troopers. We've tested this extensively, and they can genuinely survive in their boxes for up to three weeks if needed. Obviously we don't want them sitting around that long, but life happens, mail gets delayed sometimes, and we want you to know that your plants are prepped and ready to handle whatever the postal system throws at them. While we do our best to avoid delays, occasional unforeseen circumstances may slightly impact delivery times, but rest assured, your plants are packed with extra care and are tougher than you think!
Quarantine States (WA, NT, TAS)
We currently only ship directly to non-quarantine states. Unfortunately, biosecurity restrictions make it pretty complicated to send plants to Western Australia, Northern Territory, and Tasmania. But don't worry, we've got a solution for you! If you're from a quarantine restricted state and would like to purchase plants from us, we recommend using Paradise Distributors' concierge service. They're absolute legends and can handle all the biosecurity paperwork and requirements for you. Make sure to contact them prior to purchasing so they can give you all the details and help you out: info@rareplants.net.au
Come Visit the Greenhouse! (Rockdale)
If you're local or just love the idea of picking up your order in person, we've got you covered! Greenhouse collection from our Rockdale location is available the same week you make your purchase. Our opening hours are always changing, so make sure to check booking availability on our 'Visit the Greenhouse' page before purchasing. After you've paid for your order, just head over and book a time slot that works for you. You'll get to pick up your plants AND have a wander through the greenhouse while you're here, which honestly is such a vibe. Just please wear a mask if you're feeling unwell - it's a small space and we want to keep everyone safe and healthy!
Catch Us at Markets!
We do regular markets around Sydney and would love to meet you in person! If you'd prefer to skip shipping altogether and grab your order at one of our market stalls, just email us at info@growinggroundsaustralia.com and we can arrange collection at an upcoming market. It's a great way to chat plants face-to-face, see what else we've got on the day, and save on postage!
Questions? We're Here for You!
If you've got any questions about shipping, tracking, or literally anything else, please don't hesitate to contact us at info@growinggroundsaustralia.com. We love chatting with you guys and we're always happy to help troubleshoot, answer questions, or just talk plants!
Much love from the GG's Team 🌱
