SKU: 12731331137
blue star fern rhizome

blue star fern rhizome Blue Star Fern ‘Phlebodium aureum’ 2 Gal. / Self Watering / Without Pot

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Description

blue star fern rhizome Blue Star Fern ‘Phlebodium aureum’ 2 Gal. / Self Watering / Without PotThe Blue Star Fern, known as Phlebodium aureum, is a unique and increasingly popular fern for beginners as needs less humidity than other varieties. Its broad, blue green fronds have an unusual, almost wavy texture that lends an exotic feel to any indoor space. In the wild, it grows epiphytically on trees, making it well suited for mounting on surfaces or planting in hanging baskets where its fronds can cascade beautifully. Native to South and Central

The Blue Star Fern, known as Phlebodium aureum, is a unique and increasingly popular fern for beginners as needs less humidity than other varieties. Its broad, blue-green fronds have an unusual, almost wavy texture that lends an exotic feel to any indoor space. In the wild, it grows epiphytically on trees, making it well-suited for mounting on surfaces or planting in hanging baskets where its fronds can cascade beautifully.

Native to South and Central America, the Blue Star Fern gets its name due to the soft, bluish hue of its fronds that resemble star-like shapes when viewed from above.

It has several other common names such as Blue Star Fern, Cabbage Palm Fern, Golden Polypody, Gold Foot Fern, Hare Foot Fern, and Rabbits Foot Fern.

Its popularity stems not only from its visual appeal but also from its ability to improve indoor air quality, making it an attractive, functional addition to any home or office.

A popular feature of the Blue Star Fern is its deeply lobed, velvety fronds, which can grow up to 2 feet long and spread up to 6 feet wide in ideal conditions.

The fronds emerge from a creeping rhizome, which often has a slightly golden tint, adding an additional layer of color to the plant’s appearance.  Its foliage has a soft, almost fuzzy texture, giving it a unique tactile quality not commonly found in other ferns. 

The large blue star fern is a striking addition to any indoor plant collection, with its vibrant color and unique shape.   Its moderate growth rate allows it to fill its space gradually, making it easy to care for and less prone to outgrowing its container quickly.  

As a non-flowering plant, the Blue Fern does not produce blooms, but its vibrant foliage more than compensates for the lack of flowers, providing year-round greenery and aesthetic appeal. 

When and How to Water Your Blue Star Fern 

The Blue Star Fern requires less water and easier to care for than other ferns. This fern is somewhat more resilient than typical tropical varieties, able to go a bit longer between watering sessions without suffering damage. However, allowing the soil to completely dry out is not recommended, as it can lead to stress and browning of leaves.  

In the spring and fall, during the growing season, your Blue Star Fern requires more frequent watering. Water it thoroughly whenever the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch. In most indoor environments, watering every 7–10 days is ideal, depending on the humidity levels. The goal is to keep the soil evenly moist but not soggy, as waterlogged conditions can harm the plant’s delicate roots. Adjust the frequency based on your home’s temperature and humidity; higher temperatures or drier air may require more frequent watering. 

In late fall and winter, during its dormancy period, the Blue Star Fern’s water needs decrease significantly. Water only when the soil is nearly dry, roughly every two to three weeks, as the plant’s growth slows and its water usage drops. The plant can withstand brief periods of dryness during dormancy but will benefit from occasional misting if indoor air is particularly dry. This more conservative watering schedule helps the fern maintain health without overstimulating it during its resting phase.

Light Requirements – Where to Place Your Blue Star Fern 

When growing indoors, Blue Star Ferns prefer bright, indirect light for around 6–8 hours daily. Position it near a north- or east-facing window where it can receive gentle morning sunlight or filtered light throughout the day.

Direct sunlight should be avoided, as it can cause the leaves to scorch and fade in color.

In lower-light settings, this fern can still thrive, although its growth may slow slightly. Supplemental artificial lighting can help maintain vibrant foliage in dim indoor spaces.

For outdoor cultivation, place your Phlebodium aureum blue star in a shaded or partially shaded area.

A spot under a canopy or larger tree where it receives dappled sunlight for part of the day is ideal.

If the plant shows signs of fading color or wilting, try relocating it to a spot with more filtered shade.

Optimal Soil & Fertilizer Needs 

Blue Star Ferns thrive in well-draining, organic-rich soil that retains moisture but doesn’t become waterlogged. An ideal mix for indoor potted plants is a combination of standard potting soil and orchid bark or perlite to enhance drainage. Ideally, you want to use our specialized potting mix, opens in a new tab that contains 5 natural substrates and organic mycorrhizae to promote the development of a strong root system that helps your ferns to thrive.   

For fertilizer, Blue Star Ferns benefit from light feeding during the growing season, roughly once a year from spring to early fall. Use a balanced, NPK fertilizer with an equal ration of about 5-10-5 to avoid overwhelming the plant. Avoid high-nitrogen fertilizers, as these may encourage foliage growth at the expense of root health. During the dormant winter months, fertilizing holds off, as the fern’s nutrient requirements are minimal when growth slows.

Hardiness Zones & More 

When grown indoors, your Blue Star Fern thrives in moderate, indirect light and prefers a consistent indoor temperature range between 60-75°F, making it ideal for home environments. It does best when shielded from direct sunlight, which can scorch its fronds but also needs ample ambient light to thrive. The Blue Star Fern appreciates moderate humidity levels of 40-60%, which can be achieved with a humidifier or occasional misting, particularly in winter or dry climates.

For outdoor cultivation, this fern is suited for USDA Zones 8-12, where it can survive mild winters but will require a shaded spot to avoid excessive sun exposure. It can withstand temperatures down to 20°F but should be protected from frost and intense afternoon sun.

It also benefits from higher humidity, so if grown in drier zones, placing it near water features or misting it occasionally will help maintain its lush appearance. The blue star fern's dry leaves are a sign that it needs more humidity in its environment. Make sure to mist the plant regularly or place a humidifier nearby to help prevent further leaf dehydration.  

Wildlife Blue Star Fern Attracts the Following Friendly Pollinators 

While Blue Star Fern is not a traditional pollinator attractant like flowering plants, it creates a welcoming environment for beneficial insects that support local biodiversity. Its dense fronds provide shade and moisture, which helps attract small, beneficial creatures in shaded outdoor gardens.

Butterflies
Bees
Hummingbirds
Lady Bugs
Multi Pollinators
Other Birds

According to the ASPCA, Blue Star Fern is non-toxic to humans, cats, dogs, and birds. This makes it an ideal choice for pet-friendly homes, as it poses no risk to animals that may chew on their fronds. 

How to Propagate Your Phlebodium aureum 

To propagate Blue Fern, start by dividing its rhizomes during spring or early summer. Gently remove the plant from its pot, shake off excess soil, and separate the rhizomes into smaller sections, each with fronds and roots. Replant each division in a suitable pot with fresh, well-draining potting mix, water thoroughly, and place in a warm area with indirect light. Within a few weeks, the new divisions should begin to establish, showing signs of growth. 

Key Takeaways

  1. In the wild, it grows epiphytically on trees, making it well-suited for mounting on surfaces or planting in hanging baskets where its fronds can cascade beautifully.
  2. Its unique blue-green, wavy fronds with a soft, almost velvety texture give it a distinctive look, making it a striking and popular choice for indoor decor.
  3. Blue Star Fern is a low-maintenance plant that tolerates lower light levels, and indirect light and requires minimal care compared to many other ferns, making it well-suited for beginners.
  4. The blue fern can tolerate mild frost in USDA zones (8-12) and lower temperatures for short periods, making it versatile for indoor and sheltered outdoor use in suitable climates.
  5. Unlike many other ferns, Blue Star Fern has some drought tolerance and can go without frequent watering, though it prefers consistently moist soil.

The Bottom Line 

Overall, the Blue Star Fern (Phlebodium aureum) is a distinctive and popular houseplant that brings a touch of the tropics indoors with its striking blue-green, wavy fronds and epiphytic nature. Known for its adaptability, this fern thrives in moderate, indirect light and can tolerate occasional drought and lower humidity, making it easier to care for than many other ferns. While it prefers consistently moist soil, it is relatively low-maintenance and capable of withstanding mild frost, making it a versatile option for a range of indoor and sheltered outdoor spaces. With its unique appearance, air-purifying benefits, and pet-safe qualities, the Blue Star Fern is an excellent choice for anyone seeking a beautiful, easy-to-care-for addition to their plant collection. 

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DEVIN
Whiting, US
★★★★★ 5
Great chew toys!
Color: Purple, Size: Medium (Pack of 1), Color: Purple, Size: Medium (Pack of 1)
Keenan LOVES this toy! He will play with it all day. Running around the house, chasing as it bounces in different directions. And he'll be so content chewing on it for long periods of time. It makes an annoying sound when he chews, but I can live with it if it's keeping him entertained. This is the second purple rubber toy from this brand that I've purchased, the other being the squirrel one, which was his favorite until I purchased this for Christmas. They are super durable, his squirrel is still going strong. Even without putting food/treats inside, these are great toys for dogs that enjoy the softer rubber type chew toys. My only con is that it's a little big for him. He weighs 70lbs and I got the medium. It's fine but he has a hard time carrying it because of its size/shape, and he can't catch it when I toss it to him. Think I'm gonna buy the small size to see if it's any better.
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Reviewed in the United States on January 10, 2021
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Beata Leighton
Omaha, US
★★★★★ 5
Love this toy for meals
Color: Purple, Size: Large (Pack of 1)
This toy is phenomenal for use as a slow feeder!
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Reviewed in the United States on April 9, 2026
M
Verified Purchase
M.K.
Lowell, US
★★★★★ 4
Durable, interesting, but not my dog's favorite.
Color: Purple, Size: Large (Pack of 1)
This is a pretty cool treat dispensing toy; the rubber it's made from is very thick and durable, and the irregular shape of it makes it more interesting for the dog. The opening of each compartment has little strips inside that makes the toy dispense treats pretty randomly. You can also snip them so they're shorter, to dispense treats easier. I snipped all of them in my toy, because my dog was having a hard time getting treats out, and I adjusted them several times to where now it's almost too easy to get the treats out. I just couldn't find a happy medium, and of course once you've cut them, you can't uncut them. The only real down side to this toy is that it collects dog fur and can get pretty gross pretty fast. Most of my dog's other toys stay relatively clean when she's using them, but between the material and the pattern and whatnot on the outside, this toy is just a gunk magnet. Fur collects in the little dips between "barnacles" and clings to the slots on the outside of the toy. My dog doesn't really mind, obviously, but I think it's a little gross. ;D My dog for whatever reason favors most of her other toys over this one; even when this is the only toy that still has treats left in it, she'll often ignore it. It's a very high quality toy, though.
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Reviewed in the United States on July 24, 2015
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inventurous
Grantham, US
★★★★★ 5
Durable and Fun Diversion!
Color: Purple, Size: Large (Pack of 1)
At first I was a bit concerned as the toy is made of a fairly pliable rubber so I worried that my vizsla, who destroys most of his toys rather quickly, would destroy this one within hours. Luckily, I was able to quickly teach him that it's much more fun to carry and kick around, then to gnaw. So far it's been over a month that I've actually left this on the floor, and it shows very little signs of damage. Some treats have made a perpetual home in the large and medium sides of the toy, and it keeps him interested from time to time, as he'll just randomly pick it up and start kicking it around, or bring it to me in hopes of a game of fetch or a treat reload. One thing that definitely helped him fall in love with it was that I immediately (after washing) placed a variety of sizes of his favorite treats in the different globes. Some (kibble-sized) treats fell out easily and taught him that this was indeed a rewarding toy to play with, others took a little kicking and dropping, and some remain until they start to break apart from enough bouncing and licking, which keeps his attention. We have the large (for a 40-lb dog) and it suits him well as he can get his mouth around even the largest of the globes to carry it, while it has about a zero percent change of becoming a choking hazard, unless a piece breaks off, which seems unlikely so far. One does have to be somewhat careful playing fetch in the house, as it bounces somewhat unpredictably and has a bit of heft to it. Very pleasantly surprised to find that the rubber actually smells good, somewhat like bubble gum, as opposed to some other rubber toys that reek of chemicals. Overall, very happy with the durability, safety, and fun of this one, and wouldn't hesitate to replace it with the exact item if it is ever lost or damaged.
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Reviewed in the United States on November 24, 2014
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E. Ricciardi Trundy
Belleville, US
★★★★★ 3
3.5 Stars -- Sturdy but Limited
Color: Purple, Size: Large (Pack of 1)
I got the Barnacle toy in size Large for my ~45 lb mutt. She enjoys food toys, and I wanted to find one sturdy enough that I felt safe leaving her with when I left for work since she tends to destroy her toys quickly. First thing -- there's no way any dog is going to be able to destroy this. The "rubber" is super thick and a good balance of flexible and sturdy, so she can't do her favorite "pick at a weak edge and slowly disembowel it" trick. I've had it for a couple months now and it looks brand new. However, it isn't great for feeding her kibble. She eats 1 cup at morning and at night, and none of the compartments fits that comfortably. I don't really feel like dividing her food into 3 portions every day to split it between either. The bigger problem is the hole size, or rather the ratio of kibble-to-hole size. The holes are very big with rubber "fingers" inside to slow the food spill. I've still found that it tends to dump a fistful of kibble all at once, or not let anything go for a long time. This may have to do with my dog's "technique", as described below. Another problem is that since this has three separate chambers, this toy is not hollow and is surprisingly heavy. While my dog has no problems throwing a kong around (and I mean THROWING a kong around), the weight and asymmetrical shape makes it difficult to throw or roll, which is my dog's preferred way to use a food toy. This toy works best when a dog slaps it with her paws or picks it up and drops it, which may be why my dog gets frustrated with getting her food from it. What this toy is really great for, for us, is high value treats. If I am leaving at an unusual time and anticipate that she's going to fuss, I can put "the good stuff" in this toy and then she doesn't mind the struggle at all! The different size chambers make this especially nice if I'm breaking up odd sized or home made treats and want her to stay busy for a while. Since it's so sturdy, she can chew on it all she wants, but she has to do the work to get the treats. All in all-- this toy isn't great for my dog's daily feedings, but it's great for high value treats and a change of pace.
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Reviewed in the United States on March 2, 2015

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