Blue Star Fern, Phlebodium Aureum
Botanical Name: Phlebodium aureum
Previous Botanical Names: Polypodium aureum, Polypodium leucotomos
Common Names: Cabbage Palm Fern, Golden Polypody, Gold Foot Fern, Gold Serpent Fern, Hare Foot Fern, Blue Star Fern
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About
The Blue Star Fern is a treat for the eyes that boasts both a unique leaf shape and color, and a laid back care profile. The flat strappy leaves are washed in a hazy blue grey color, and though it is a fern, it is much more drought tolerant than most. It's easy to fall in love with a pet friendly fern that is also drought tolerant.
Care Guide
Light Requirements
Prefers medium sunlight. Tolerates low sunlight or artificial lighting. Growth will slow in low light conditions. Bright sunlight can scorch the leaves.
Artificial Light
Direct Sun
Water Needs
Prefers consistent but moderate watering. Tolerates occasional dryness. Will not tolerate excessive watering.
Infrequent
Frequent
Soil Preference
Prefers a soil mixture with moderate drainage speeds and moderate water retentive properties. Include sustainably sourced peat moss for water retention and perlite or pumice as a drainage amendment.
Moisture Retention
Fast Drying
Retentive
Drainage Speed
Slow
Fast
Naming
The Phlebodium aureum is in the Polypodiaceae family, and is commonly known as the Blue Star Fern. It is also called Golden Polypody, Cabbage Palm Fern, Rabbit Foot Fern, and Gold Foot Fern.
Origin
The Blue Star Fern is an epiphyte that can be found growing in the tropical rainforests of South America. It grows on the trunks and branches of trees under the forest canopy and out of direct sunlight.
Characteristics
The blue grey leaves of the Blue Star Fern grow in a delightfully raucous spray. They grow from fuzzy rhizomes that are the secret to the easy care instructions for this plant. The Blue Star is both an epiphyte and a footed fern, which means that it can collect and store water from its environment, so forgetful waterers take note.
