The Forgiving Fern
If you've ever loved the look of ferns but found them too fussy, the Blue Star Fern is about to change everything. Phlebodium aureum 'Blue Star' breaks all the rules about finicky ferns, offering that lush, prehistoric beauty with a surprisingly easygoing attitude. Its distinctive silvery blue-green fronds and fuzzy golden rhizomes make it one of the most visually striking ferns you can grow, and one of the most forgiving.
What sets the Blue Star Fern apart is its colour. Those elongated, finger-like fronds carry a beautiful blue-green hue with an almost silvery cast that shifts depending on the light. It's a cooler tone than most houseplants offer, making it a perfect complement to the typical greens in your collection. The fronds are deeply lobed, giving each one a wild, organic appearance that adds instant texture and movement to any space.
Then there are those rhizomes. Creeping across the soil surface, these fuzzy golden-brown stems are where the plant gets several of its common names including Gold Foot Fern and Golden Serpent Fern. New fronds emerge from these rhizomes in tight spirals, unfurling in that classic fiddlehead fashion that makes watching ferns grow such a joy.
Light Requirements
Blue Star Ferns are refreshingly flexible when it comes to light. They prefer bright indirect light but genuinely tolerate lower light conditions better than most ferns. A spot near a north-facing window is often ideal, but they'll also thrive in east-facing positions or set back from brighter windows.
The key is avoiding direct sunlight, which can fade that beautiful blue-green colouration and scorch the fronds. If your plant's colour seems to be washing out, it may be getting too much light. Too little light won't kill the plant but will slow growth and may result in a leggier appearance.
Watering
Here's where the Blue Star Fern differs from many other ferns. While it does like consistent moisture, it's far more tolerant of occasional neglect than its delicate cousins. Keep the soil lightly moist, watering when the top centimetre starts to feel dry. The plant will forgive the odd missed watering without throwing a tantrum.
One important tip is to water around the edges of the pot rather than directly onto the rhizomes. Those fuzzy golden stems don't appreciate sitting wet and can develop rot if constantly damp. If your plant is in a pot with drainage holes, you can also water from below by sitting the pot in a shallow tray of water for 20-30 minutes.
Use room temperature water if possible, and filtered or rainwater is ideal if your tap water is heavily treated. The plant is sensitive to some chemicals found in tap water, though less so than many other ferns.
Humidity and Temperature
As a tropical plant, the Blue Star Fern appreciates humidity but is remarkably adaptable. It does best in 50-70% humidity, making bathrooms and kitchens with natural light particularly good spots. In drier rooms, grouping plants together, using a pebble tray, or running a small humidifier nearby will keep your fern happy.
If the tips of the fronds start going brown and crispy, that's usually a sign humidity needs to increase. In winter when heating dries out the air, you might need to take extra measures to maintain moisture around the plant.
Temperature-wise, normal household conditions suit this fern perfectly. It prefers temperatures between 16 and 27 degrees Celsius and will tolerate brief dips lower, but frost is definitely off the menu. Keep it away from cold draughts and air conditioning vents.
Soil and Potting
As an epiphyte in the wild, the Blue Star Fern doesn't naturally grow in soil at all. It clings to trees in rainforest canopies, absorbing moisture and nutrients from the air and decomposing organic matter. This means standard potting mix is too dense and moisture-retentive for healthy roots.
Use a loose, well-aerated mix instead. Combine quality indoor potting mix with orchid bark and perlite in roughly equal parts for excellent results. The mix should hold some moisture while allowing plenty of air to reach the roots. A slightly acidic pH is preferred.
When repotting, choose a container only slightly larger than the current one. Plastic pots work better than terracotta as they don't wick moisture away from the soil as quickly. Always ensure good drainage holes to prevent waterlogging.
Feeding
Blue Star Ferns are light feeders that don't need heavy fertilisation. Apply Growth Technology Foliage Focus at half strength (1.5ml per litre) every three to four weeks during the growing season. Reduce or stop feeding over winter when growth naturally slows.
Avoid over-fertilising as this can burn the delicate fronds. If you notice brown tips appearing after feeding, dilute your fertiliser further or extend the time between applications.
Understanding Spores
Don't panic if you notice rows of brown dots appearing on the undersides of mature fronds. These are sori, the clusters of spore-producing structures that ferns use for reproduction. They're completely normal and actually a sign your plant is healthy and happy. The sori on Blue Star Ferns are round and arranged in neat rows along each side of the frond midrib, starting orange before turning brown as they mature.
While you could theoretically grow new ferns from these spores, it's a lengthy and complicated process. Division during repotting is a much easier way to create new plants if you want to share the love.
Perfect For
- Bathrooms with natural light
- Humid kitchens near windows
- Terrariums and enclosed displays
- Hanging baskets to show off rhizomes
- Pet-friendly households
- Homes with cats, dogs, or curious children
- Fern lovers who've struggled with other varieties
- Adding cool blue-green tones to plant collections
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are the tips of my fronds going brown?
Brown tips usually indicate low humidity. Try misting regularly, using a pebble tray, moving to a more humid room like a bathroom, or running a humidifier nearby. Also check that the plant isn't too close to heating or cooling vents.
What are those fuzzy golden things on the soil?
Those are rhizomes, modified stems that creep across the surface and produce new fronds. They're a distinctive feature of this fern and perfectly normal. Avoid getting them too wet when watering to prevent rot.
Is this plant really safe for pets?
Yes! Unlike many houseplants, Blue Star Fern is non-toxic to cats, dogs, and humans. While you shouldn't encourage pets to munch on any plant, this one won't cause harm if curious creatures take a nibble.
My plant seems to have stopped growing. Is something wrong?
Blue Star Ferns naturally go through cycles of active growth followed by periods of rest. As long as the existing fronds look healthy, your plant is likely just taking a break. Growth typically picks up again in warmer months.
Please Keep in Mind
Blue Star Fern is one of the most forgiving ferns available, making it an excellent choice for those new to fern keeping or anyone who's struggled with more demanding varieties. While it appreciates humidity, it adapts well to typical household conditions with just a little attention to its watering needs. This plant is non-toxic and safe around pets and children.
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 🌱
