Long, wavy-edged fronds in a cool blue-green shade give this fern a completely different look from the typical deep-green houseplant fern. Phlebodium aureum, the Blue Star Fern, gets its color and its name from a light waxy coating on its foliage that also happens to make it more drought-tolerant than most ferns.
That extra resilience makes it one of the easier ferns to keep happy indoors — it forgives an occasional missed watering in a way that would set back a more delicate maidenhair or Boston fern.
A fern for people who like the look but not the reputation.
Why You'll Love It
The Blue Star Fern's cool, silvery-blue fronds set it apart from the sea of standard green ferns — it adds color variation to a plant grouping while still bringing that classic feathery fern texture.
Care at a Glance
Light: Medium to bright indirect light. Avoid direct sun
Water: Water when the top inch of soil is dry. More drought-tolerant than most ferns
Humidity: Appreciates moderate humidity but more forgiving of average indoor air
Temperature: Prefers 65 to 80 degrees F. Keep away from cold drafts
Growth: Moderate. Fronds spread outward from a central rhizome
Skill level: Beginner-friendly for a fern. More forgiving than most
Pet safety: Non-toxic. Considered safe for cats and dogs
Good to Know
Unlike many ferns, this one actually prefers to dry out a bit between waterings — constantly soggy soil is more likely to cause problems than an occasional missed watering.
