Phlebodium aureum (Blue Star Fern) Houseplant Care - 225 of 365

[@suzannebennett8987]

I got one at my local home improvement center, which specializes in torturing plants. They had a bunch of Blue Star ferns sitting out in the blazing sun in August. All were brown and marked down to a couple of dollars. I got one, brought it home, cut off all the brown leaves (leaving almost nothing) and hung it in a shady spot outdoors. Watered it regularly and now it's lush and green and happy in my sun porch for winter! 😊

[@tonereinton]

I could need much more info on this plant. What about light, soil, leaves wilting?

[@reinadegrillos]

Water? She is speaking too much and says very little.

[@tanpokio]

​@@reinadegrillos She said this is an epiphytic fern and does not need to be moist all the time like other ferns. That's information.

[@tanpokio]

She said again and again: epiphytic fern (grows on trees in nature) so does not need to be moist all the time, north-east facing window, epiphytic plants mean very well-draining substrate. Native to South America means good humidity.

[@mstrshkbrnnn1999]

@@reinadegrillos she says quite a bit, you just need to understand the terms she uses

[@blowitoutyourcunt7675]

I like Summer but this vid did not help me repot my fern…

[@dawnwellman6232]

Mine don't like to dry out, likes humidity Blue Star Fern are delicate and do like moist not over drying not water logged to harm and cause root rot. Not a good starter hard to grow for beginners. These plants like more dense soil that holds moisture Also not direct light, bathroom is great for humidity. Mine is still small and delicate tips of the leaves were crusting brown. I just learned I was allowing it to dry out. I have succulents along with some other house plants that don't need watering frequently. But a good mister for these plants I learned are great they like the humidity it creates. So misting twice to three times a day it enjoys. 🍃🌿🌱

[@KariHTury]

I have had my Phlebodium aureum for two years now and it’s getting huge and probably needs to be repotted. It gets low light and low humidity during winter. Loves a shower but looks good without it too😀 I water about twice a week and so far I haven’t seen any pest. A very lush, beautiful and trouble free plant 💙👍🏻💚

[@mahalie23]

Thanks for the report. I’ve got a new tiny one, going to try it in orchid mix in terracotta, which won’t stay too wet and will likely like a frequent small watering.

[@Grow_Up_Man55]

I found one of these growing as a ‘weed’ in an orchid I’d bought. Once blooming was over I separated them. I liked it so much I bought a couple more! 🌿 They grow well for me in my 'tropical greenhouse' which has a minimum temp of 12 degrees C. As you said, they don't mind drying out for a few days.

[@btdarterschannel112]

I've got a Blue Star Fern that I've had for at least 10 years. Mine doesn't like to dry out, though. 🤔❓ Thanks for the video! 🌿🌿

[@alison3623]

It attracts dust like crazy when it gets bigger. I made the mistake of cleaning the leaves with a homemade solution (I was a newbie and I also thought this was a kangaroo foot fern) and it doesn't like that. Started dying immediately. On top of that it was rot rotting like crazy. It's nearly dead now. I recommend cleaning the leaves with a good wash in the shower or misting it with filtered water when you see it getting really dirty. Tends to like to be moist more than drying out and does really well in low light. It's a fun plant if you don't kill it lol. If I can get my hands on another one for redemption I will!

[@joelholley5674]

Love this plant - I have personally found this plant to be a fast grower. I keep this in front of a south-facing window with a sheer curtain. Grew from a wee plant to about a 2.5 foot spread in a little more than a year!

[@ShaloMEibbotson]

I just bought one today so I'm looking forward to seeing mine grow too. 🙌

[@suginami123]

After 6 months my plant developed long fronds facing the window which gets a lot of sun. 8inches long. Elegant but floppy. The other side is more like yours. Denser and more vertical. The general shape is lovely and contrast well with other plants such as philodendron birkin

[@madamplant]

Mine is doing okay. I'm glad I saw this. I thought it needed humidity. I will be changing it to a terracotta pot. Love you!!

[@louiseahmedtropicalplantgr5000]

I recently bought one of these, it was just labelled fern, now I know it’s proper name thanks to you, and I hope I can follow your tips on how to care for it.

[@jasmineaswa]

Mine is fairly new and I saw that all the new growth was dying. I thought I was doing something wrong, but it turns out there was a caterpillar on it that was eating the new fronds! I took it off and it’s growing like crazy now!

[@sallyedmondson9275]

Mine loves living in my bathroom by the window - no direct sun but likes the light 🌿😍

[@magnusbjarklind5073]

I had problems with it in our green wall but now after getting more stable watering it is doing great

[@jeffreyeden6700]

My blue star is bullet proof. A great fern to start out with

[@hollyhasegawa6095]

Oh I have wanted to get me one of these, but I wasn't sure I could grow it in my home, but since you said it is really an easy one, much more so than a lot of other ferns, I will be on the lookout for one, I just love the bluish hue the fronds have. Thank you again Summer for sharing another beautiful plant, see you again tomorrow.

[@heidiwhite6068]

Hmmm not particularly informative??

[@ayshaalkhaldi4863]

i have one and its really easy to care i give it water every 5 weeks in medium room light and its growing very nice 👍🏾

[@lucymayconroy5709]

Don you mean every 5 days? :)

[@ayshaalkhaldi4863]

@@lucymayconroy5709 no .. 5 weeks 😀

[@westminster860]

Since the Blue Star Fern is epiphytic, I'm planning on using an orchid mix or combo when split and repot. Google says it's perfect for them. Some mount them on tree limb pieces.

[@petercardona1559]

Best advice I can give is put her in the fastest draining mix you can construct and then stick her amongst what Pam from Pam's Pretty Plants calls "your humidity hoes!"

[@myfirstnovel]

It is the most resilient of my ferns and doesn’t wilt if I forget it, but it’s not really growing much tbh. Now my foxtail is humongous six months later on and I bought it at the same time. Losing my silverlace slowly, my maidenhair is hanging in there (I have it in a fine herb grower with a bottom water well, I should hope so!)

[@B1gplantmama98]

I have one of these as well as a rabbit’s foot. Been wanting to obtain the kangaroo paw as well. They’re just very intriguing plants. Also fun and gorgeous haha.

[@kellykittinger5969]

I just bought a blue star and a rabbits foot and have a maidenhair and three queen kimberly ferns and I want more lol love them so much

[@sadiesadie6343]

Love these ferns!

[@dianemiles2720]

I have been keeping mine super moist all the time because of 'fern' in the name making me think it would behave like my other ferns but mine is not as lush as this one so maybe I'll try letting it dry out a bit more.

[@ruwinheredhether3347]

I've read that they like humid air but not so moist soil. So the best is to water little but mist the leaves every day ;)

[@amy_soucy]

My blue star is parked right by the humidifier with the calathea. So it is loving life. It is still in it's nursery pot. I may consider a clay pot after this video. :)

[@edwardlittlefield447]

That's a beautiful plant that I have to try.

[@mariacoleman8407]

I have one of these in England (Nottingham )and it looks wonderful I really do like ferns I find it very easy to grow too thanks for sharing ,Maria .

[@SarahReganSnavely]

Love this plant and I’m loving this series. What will #365 be?

[@tonyporter1293]

I've always been hesitant to get this plant. Maybe because I have "fernfobia." I'll have to give it a try soon though. Is there any chance that you highlight a ficus benjamina?

[@jacobhicks7319]

I’ve been wanting to get into ferns! Would u consider this a good “starter fern” or would u recommend another?

[@sharpestdart]

I have one of these but I can't figure out why the stems are so dang long. The plant in the video was nice and compact while mine is all gangly. And it leans. Doesn't matter which direction from the light I turn it, it's always leaning in the same direction. It's almost like it was planted sideways but I know it wasn't because I've had it for a few years now and it was normal when I got it. None of this matters to me, I still love it, it's just...... different :)

[@janknuckey]

There are actually different varieties in terms of leaf shape and foliage density that are all Blue Star Ferns: some are tightly compacted like the one in the video whilst others (like yours I imagine) have long spindly stems. I actually prefer the spindly ones as I love the crazy directions it grows!

[@natalianazarczuk557]

I had to cut out some leaves today as went yellow and brown.. did I overwater it?

[@nunomarcal4682]

Love it ,super thorough in Summer's fashion

[@toddmiller8728]

Love your videos Summer, you are such a plantspiration!

[@lolasoho919]

What soil would you suggest? I have several of my own and have found if grown in a terra cotta pot with a cacti mixture they tend to grow much better, especially when wanting to divide. Your thoughts would be welcomed.

[@anoniemmoet8984]

May I ask what's cacti mix ?

[@e.g.1218]

Orchid mix

[@funnytime1111]

I have only been able to find kangaroo paw locally, trying to source a blue star. I love that powdery blue color

[@barbll000]

I have this fern too and really love it.

[@ant11368]

Hey Summer- I just got a phlebosia Nicholas diamond in Holland but can’t find any sensible care information on the web. Do u have one of these? Apparently it’s a new hybrid

[@lukashTHEnewBLACK]

Its one of my favorite plant. I already killed 2 of them. I kinda give up with ferns :D

[@janknuckey]

You and me both.

[@mikenarichards]

So, in every video I've watched of the blue star fern I've noticed that there are these little teeny tiny white dots on them, leading me to believe that it's probably not scale - but i am not sure what it is. do you know? maybe it's dead spores or just a feature of the plant? because if you look closely at the leaves in this video, you can see it on the leaves. if you google it obviously all the results say its pests but because this is something ive noticed on all blue star ferns i don't think it is. do you know!? also i love your shirt!

[@Thegardenersclog]

Thank you!! I think I sent you a pic of this on insta. I wasn't sure of the name of it. Thanks for doing an episode on it! I have mine in the kitchen by the sink in the plastic nursery pot/catchpot that it came in, it gets some NE sun but its up against the wall so its pretty indirect sunlight. The leaves are much greener than they used to be a bluish green color which might be from low sunlight?. Ive had it since early summer and forget to water it as often as I should, it is doing fine, must like the mist from the sink. Easy plant, glad I found it, yours is really pretty and bushy, mine is a little leggy but looks good.

[@janknuckey]

One of my all time favourite plants....but damn they are bitches to keep alive! All my other plants are thriving, including some really fussy calatheas, marantas etc but not these babies. I know I'm doing something wrong, I just don't know what.

[@maggieeats]

I have one by a window without direct sun, and the leafs are getting crunchy though the soil is still moist. Any ideas what could be missing? Thank you!

[@valerierichards6648]

Thanks for the info Summer! I'm wondering why my blue star fern is no longer blue. It's turned green since I bought it about 6 months ago. Is there a trick to keeping the foliage that lovely blue colour? Thanks!

[@brocktoon8]

Please use have-a-heart traps for the sweet little house mice. You can catch them without harming them and rehome them far away from your house. Sticky traps are a cruel and horrible way to die as are poison traps which cause internal bleeding and poison other animals up the food chain who might eat the dead mice. Thank you.

[@suginami123]

Some fronds grew very long more than 6 inches or more but changed to darker green with brown s-it’s so I removed them.

[@jengarcia8949]

House mice 💀💀💀💀no ma’am!!!

[@ViGirl71]

Beautiful plant. I would love to find one.

[@terrismith1997]

I have a very happy blue star fern as well as a kangaroo paw fern. I have much better luck with them than the fussier festhery ferns. But I love them all.

[@kropka8259]

I've had this plant living in my bathroom and it was doing just fine, so I figured it will like the crested gecko tank too. It is wilting now though. It gets the same light and similar humidity, so I don't know why it's not liking it in there :(

[@martinaharrisondefault5027]

Could be not enough oxygen in roots I am guessing? Perhaps soil is too compact and needs more air with Coco coir or perlite. Or maybe it's root bound inside and can't get enough air that way.

[@--Paws--]

Thank you, I finally learned what this fern is called. I always doubted if it was the Blue Star fern or if it was another fern entirely.

[@Appleton-WI]

Why am I getting brown/grey areas on the leaves? I'm so bummed.

[@lindagron3664]

Vicky P same here!

[@leaschmitt2496]

Maybe too much sunlight, it can burn this fern easily.

[@jveganful]

Same here. Mine's in a glazed pot in a East facing window (TX) and water weekly (trying to avoid watering the leaves). Should I transplant into a teracota pot and move to a less sunny room?

[@zoelewis7498]

J Williams mines thriving and I figured they dont like light that much compared to other ferns

[@GinaMarrugat]

Do you recommend to wall mount it?

[@judymckerrow6720]

I have a house mouse or maybe a shrew, it likes to dig in my soil💚🙃

[@whatsgoinon5554]

So apparently everyone has either killed their blue start or has issues with it and the video was not very informative. So what IS the best condition?

[@zoelewis7498]

I find this particular fern very easy like she said, although like many other comments putting in bright light area is a not good move in my experience. They do well in low-medium light area and can handle dryness for a short time, I usually lift my plants if they need some drink and if this guy is light enough then ill water it. Last, this and maidenhair can handle less humidity than other ferns

[@LeeDfined]

I love ferns, especially the Birds Nest...just dont know how to keep them alive.

[@purerachet7715]

My birds nest is so beautiful. I keep it near a windward water a bit almost every other day, but do not water in the center. I have had it since October and it is really thriving. I wish we could post pics in the comments. I need to repot it soon. I am planning on using 2 parts soil, 1 part fine orchid mix.

[@peppemiola4576]

So you have to water these ferns less than normal non epiphytic ferns?

[@peppemiola4576]

I have two baby blue star ferns and there's always a yellowing leaf or the ends going brown

[@lolasoho919]

@@peppemiola4576 , mine were doing that until I realized it was being watered too much, could this be an issue with your plant?

[@peppemiola4576]

@@lolasoho919 I'll try to water them less, we'll see, hopefully they'll get better, are they fast growers?

[@alinecalves]

Did i miss something or the video does not say anything abou the actual care of the plant?

[@stephwatts3]

Uggghhhh yes my rabbitsfoots die painful deaths every time. I'll take a blue star, or staghorn any day!

[@coleman318]

Ty!

[@Stumpybear7640]

Who could thumbs down Summer? 🤔

[@tiffanyi5645]

Just curious about how you managed to get rid of the house mice? Mice are not really that ugly and I just feel that the glue traps and poison are so inhumane (yes its way easier to kill hideous things, waterbugs for example are TERRIFYING to me so long range poisonous spray it is!!)....so we just got a cat and let nature take it's course! LOL

[@malcolmlisson4740]

Pretty sure she means 'mites' and not 'mice'. lol ( Sue )

[@tiffanyi5645]

@@malcolmlisson4740 lol thanks for the clarification. Thankfully the cat has done her job quite well lol

[@malcolmlisson4740]

Damn I just watched this again & she does say mice. lol I agree about the poison. We have cats that take care of any rodents. Also the poison kills predator birds that eat the mice too so people should really think before resorting to dangerous poisons that affect the natural food chain. ( Sue Lisson )

[@LGW3-Orchids-Exotics]

Summer, I love your talent and vids! Are you sure about these up-close and short shots?

[@DuduTheDoraAmon]

I love this guys but this fern hates me , I dont know why ! it have crispy edge and tip , also the rhizomes turned crispy over night too. It have enough water, maybe itd my fertilizer

[@olenaoleary7218]

Died(((

[@madamplant]

Mine is awful.

[@samuelfernandes6181]

They all die in my hands 😭

[@mubarakshaikh2111]

What does it mean PLANT ONE ON ME n ONE PLANT A DAY. Pl revert.

[@purerachet7715]

Please get a cat. You will not have mice.

[@becomingsane9870]

Unfortunately my cat likes to chew on this.🙃

[@babysumo57]

learned nothing.

[@lw6502]

Not an informative video. No info on lighting, watering, propagation, how big does it grow? Don’t think even you know. A waste of time

[@revielusie7266]

Im still dont understand what the special of this plant