Blue star ferns may not look like your typical fern- and they’re not! They share many similar characteristics to other ferns but also have some unique traits.
Known for their elongated blue-green fronds, these ferns earned their reputation as a well-loved houseplant. If you do not have enough shade for traditional ferns, this is the perfect plant for you.
These ferns are stunningly beautiful and surprisingly easy to care for. Read on to learn how to grow blue star ferns.
Overview
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What Is It?
Ferns may not come to mind when you think of evergreen plants, but in fact, many ferns are evergreen. These plants are traditionally tropical and make for excellent house plants.
Characteristics
This fern is composed of elongated fronds and spreads via creeping rhizomes.
This blue-green fern is made up of several elongated fronds. It grows and spreads by creeping rhizomes.
These rhizomes will help the fern attach to trees and other plants when growing in the wild. They can grow up to three feet tall and wide.
Native Area
The ferns thrive in North and South America and grow on trees in tropical regions.
Blue star ferns are native to both North and South America. In tropical zones, these ferns can grow from trees, absorbing moisture from the air. In more temperate zones, they grow happily in the understory of forests.
Planting
These popular houseplants can be found at many garden centers and will grow nicely in the pot you brought them home in. If you want to transplant, this is best done in the spring or summer when the plants are actively growing.
Transplanting
This species is slow-growing, so you won’t need to transplant frequently.
This is a pretty slow-growing fern, making transplanting a rare occurrence. However, the pot you have purchased your fern in will likely remain a suitable home for years to come. When the time comes to transplant, it is always helpful to be prepared!
- Take a look at your current pot. Purchase a new pot that is larger than the original pot. This will allow the fern plenty of room to grow while limiting the time you need to spend re-potting.
- Shake off as much of the potting mix as you can from the roots.
- Replant the fern with fresh potting mix and place it in bright, indirect light.
How to Grow
Blue star ferns are very simple to grow. Keeping a few of these maintenance tips in mind will get you started on the right foot!
Light
They thrive in bright, indirect light but may suffer from leaf burn in direct sunlight.
Blue star fern differs from other ferns because it grows best in bright but indirect light. If this fern receives too much direct sunlight, the leaves may burn.
They will also grow nicely in the shade. However, you may notice that your leaves are not as lush as desired.
Water
Provide consistent moisture and adjust your watering frequency depending on soil type.
These plants benefit from consistent moisture. The moisture required will depend on the soil they are growing in.
Ferns growing in a standard potting mix should only be watered when the top inch of the soil has dried out. It is important not to waterlog the soil as this can lead to root rot.
If your fern is growing in a looser mix with bark, soak the whole plant in a bowl of water every week in the warm months and every two weeks to one month in the cooler months. Place the entire pot in water and remove it after a short soaking, allowing the excess water to drip off into your sink.
Soil
These epiphytic plants require loose potting soil with materials like coconut coir and tree bark.
These are epiphytic plants. In short, this means that they grow on the surface of another plant, hence getting the moisture it needs from the air.
Keep yours in very loose, chunky potting soil like a combination of coconut coir, tree bark, and sphagnum peat moss. Orchid bark, as well as perlite, can be very helpful in keeping your ferns happy.
Temperature and Humidity
Provide warm, humid conditions, or try growing in a bright bathroom.
Create an environment with warm, humid air. If your household is drier, consider growing this plant in your bathroom.
Fertilizing
Fertilize with a diluted houseplant fertilizer in the warm months.
Ferns are not known for being heavy feeders. However, as with most houseplants, they appreciate some diluted general houseplant fertilizer throughout the warmer months.
Propagation
The two most common ways to propagate are through division and spore reproduction. These can both be done at home, although one method is much easier than the other. Let’s learn a bit more about propagating.
Division
One method for dividing a large fern involves delicately separating its roots.
Division is a very simple process and is a great way to thin out a large fern.
- First, tip your fern out of its pot. Doing this over a sink or a tablecloth is best to make cleanup a breeze.
- Very carefully, loosely break apart the roots with your hands until you find a naturally occurring break within the fronds.
- Continue to loosen the roots until the two clumps of plants separate. Use a sharp knife or clean snips to separate the plant if needed.
- Re-pot the separated plants into well-draining and chunky potting soil.
- Keep the soil moist while the plants are recovering. Keep the new plants in bright but indirect light.
Spores
Propagate new ferns when dark spots appear on the backside of fronds.
Propagating by spores is simple, but it does take a careful eye and a bit of patience.
- When you notice black or dark brown spots appearing on the backside of the fronds of your fern, it is time to start preparing to propagate some new ferns.
- Snip a frond from your plant and lay it spore side down onto a white sheet of paper.
- When the spores are ready, they will be released onto the paper, where you can carefully collect them for sowing.
- Use your choice of sterile growing medium and whichever type of container you wish, such as a seed starting tray.
- Gently scatter the spores on top of the soil and place the tray in indirect light or under a grow light if you have one handy. Keep the soil damp to the touch but not oversaturated.
- Within two weeks, you should notice your soil taking on a green tint, a sign that your spores have begun to germinate. Yay!
- Within a few months, when you notice more prominent growth, transplant small fingernail clumps into a new container.
- Keep these new ferns misted.
- As these ferns continue to grow, you should continue thinning them. The most successful ferns are made up of about 2-3 spores.
Common Problems
Growing ferns indoors can be tricky, but this species is low maintenance, contributing to its appeal. However, there are still a few issues that can arise. Let’s look at the pests and diseases you may encounter and what to do if you see them.
Pests
You may see typical pests that often infest indoor plants.
Blue star ferns can fall victim to typical houseplant insects. Let’s learn more about the more common insects found on these pretty plants.
Fungus Gnats
Houseplants become infested with fungus gnats when the soil is excessively damp.
These pesky little insects are common in houseplants. If you notice small flies that look like fruit flies when you water your plants, you probably have fungus gnats hanging around. The presence of these gnats means that your soil is overly moist, which is the exact environment fungus gnats look for when laying their eggs.
Allow your soil to dry out completely before watering again. This will help get rid of the gnats. If you want to amp up your efforts, leave a small dish of apple cider vinegar near your plants. The vinegar attracts the adult gnats and will trap and drown them. To kill off larval infestations, apply water to which some Bacillus thuringiensis var. israelensis has been added (using a product like Mosquito Bits), as this bacteria is fatal to the larvae.
Spider Mites
These bugs make sticky webs and can be eliminated using insecticidal soaps or oils like neem.
Spider mites are tiny little bugs that feast on the leaves of plants. They protect themselves by creating a webbing similar to the webs of a spider. You may notice speckled leaves and the webs before you notice any insects.
Using insecticidal soaps or oils like neem is a great way to eliminate spider mites. You can also bring your pots to your sink or tub and spray the plants. The mites will get knocked off by the force of the water.
Thrips
Detecting thrips can be done by shaking the plant over a white surface.
Thrips are challenging pests to tackle because they are difficult to spot. If your plant looks sick, but you can’t figure out why, there is a chance that you have thrips. Lay a white sheet or some white paper under the plant. Give the plant a shake. If you have thrips, you will see their bodies fall on the paper.
Neem oil is the best way to attempt to eradicate these insects. In the meantime, remove any damaged foliage by using clean plant snips.
Diseases
This plant is susceptible to common houseplant diseases.
Houseplants tend to encounter a whole new world of diseases and problems. This is true with these plants as well.
Providing the correct growing conditions is the best way to keep your ferns healthy. Let’s consider a few common issues you may encounter.
Browning and Curling Fronds
The browning and curling of fern fronds can result from low humidity.
The browning and curling of fern fronds is directly related to the amount of moisture, or humidity, in the air. While the brown fronds cannot be saved, you can prevent more fronds from becoming discolored by upping the humidity in the air.
Adding moisture to the air can be done by placing a humidifier nearby or using a pebble tray. Pebble trays are really neat because you likely have all of the supplies you need in your home or yard.
Using a plant saucer or small bowl, gather pebbles from a store, the beach, or your gardens and fill the bowl, adding water to the sides of the pebbles. Next, place your potted fern on top. This will provide evaporative moisture without causing any harm via rot.
Crown and Root Rot
Root and crown rot occur due to fungal growth caused by excessive soil moisture.
Crown and root rot happens when too much moisture comes into contact with the fronds and roots of the plants. This may seem confusing since I have been discussing keeping your ferns growing in a humid environment. This type of moisture is different. You can get into trouble if you soak your plants and allow them to sit in the excess water for too long.
Oversaturated soil is the perfect home for several fungal pathogens, particularly the ones that cause rotting in the roots and the plant’s crown. Remedy this issue by transplanting your fern into a dry potting mix. Remove any damaged parts of the plant and care for the plant as usual.
Frequently Asked Questions
Sadly, broken fronds can happen for a variety of reasons. Once they are broken, there is not much else you can do for them. Cut the rest of the frond back to the base of the plant. Continue to maintain your fern, and you will see new fronds emerging quickly from the soil.
Yes! They are non-toxic to animals as well as humans. This characteristic makes it a great and safe option for a houseplant!
Absolutely! While it is true they are popular houseplants, they can also be grown outside in a container or in the ground. Be aware of the hardiness zones 8-13. If you live in a cooler zone than 8, bring your fern indoors when the cool temperatures dip below 60 degrees.
Any type of spot on your beloved plants can be cause for concern. However, if you have black or deep brown spots on the undersides of your fern leaves, do not worry. This is simply the spores the fern uses to reproduce. You do not need to remove them, just let them do their thing, and they will fall off. If you want to collect them, you can use them to propagate more ferns. See above!
Final Thoughts
Blue star ferns are beautiful houseplants that are very easy to care for. Keep your ferns growing in a warm and humid area of your home, and you will have a happy plant for years.
