Blue Star Fern | Phlebodium Aureum

Name: Blue Star Fern | Phlebodium Aureum
Brand: MyGreenScape
SKU: PB0236S
Price: 20.0 CAD
Availability: InStock
Rating: 4.33 (3 reviews)

Blue Star Fern | Phlebodium Aureum

$20

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Size 3.5” Pot - Small 6" Pot - Medium

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About This Plant

Blue Star Fern (Phlebodium aureum) is native to the tropical and subtropical forests of South and Central America and the Caribbean. Indoors it produces broad, deeply lobed, blue-green fronds with a slight waxy surface that gives them their distinctive colour.

It handles drier air better than most ferns. Most ferns struggle through the dry forced-air heating of Ontario and Quebec winters and drop fronds rapidly. The Blue Star Fern is more tolerant of average indoor humidity and holds its fronds well through winter without a humidifier.

Safe for cats and dogs. Phlebodium aureum is confirmed non-toxic to cats and dogs with no adverse reactions documented. It is one of the best options for pet-friendly homes where you want a lush, textural fern without any concern for curious pets. The Birds Nest Fern is another confirmed pet-safe fern for lower-light Canadian rooms.

Its rhizomes creep over the surface and that is normal. As an epiphyte, this fern grows from thick, furry, creeping rhizomes that spread along the top of the soil or over the pot rim. Do not bury these. They are how the plant anchors and feeds itself. An airy, moisture-retaining mix with peat or orchid bark suits it well.

Winter Slowdown

Growth slows from November onward but the Blue Star Fern stays green and holds its fronds better than most ferns through Canadian winter. It does not go dormant. The blue-green colour may be slightly less vivid in lower light.

Toxicity

Non-toxic to cats and dogs. Phlebodium aureum has no adverse reactions documented and is confirmed safe by multiple veterinary sources. Safe for homes with pets and small children.

Pests

Scale insects are the most common pest on this fern, appearing as small brown bumps on the undersides of fronds or along the furry rhizomes. Check both fronds and rhizomes when watering. Fungus gnats can also appear if the soil stays too wet for too long.

Other Plants You Might Like

Not sure this is the right fit? Here are three other plants our Canadian customers love. All ship across Canada and thrive in Canadian homes.

Austral Gem Fern. Dry-air tolerant and glossy.

For another fern that handles the dry forced-air heating of Canadian homes with less fuss, the Austral Gem Fern has thick glossy fronds and is also confirmed pet-safe.

Birds Nest Fern. Pet-safe and low-light.

For a pet-safe fern with broad, wavy fronds that handles similar low-light conditions, the Birds Nest Fern grows in a compact rosette and suits north-facing rooms well.

Autumn Fern. Colour-changing and pet-safe.

For a pet-safe fern with a different visual character, the Autumn Fern has copper-red new fronds that mature to green and handles similar medium-light conditions in Canadian homes.

Common Questions

How often should I water the Blue Star Fern?

Keep the soil lightly and consistently moist. Water when the top inch feels slightly dry, roughly every five to seven days in spring and summer. In a Canadian winter, every seven to ten days. Do not let the soil dry out fully as the fronds brown and crisp quickly under drought stress. Our indoor plant watering guide shows how to check moisture correctly.

What light does it need in a Canadian home?

Medium to low indirect light works well. A north- or east-facing window is ideal. It handles lower light better than most ferns, which makes it one of the more practical choices for Canadian apartments with limited windows. Avoid direct sun which bleaches the blue-green colour. Read our guide to light requirements for indoor plants to find the right spot.

Is the Blue Star Fern safe for cats and dogs?

Yes. Phlebodium aureum is confirmed non-toxic to cats and dogs with no adverse reactions documented. It is one of the best pet-safe ferns available for Canadian homes.

Why are the frond tips turning brown?

Brown tips are almost always caused by dry air or letting the soil dry out too much between waterings. The Blue Star Fern tolerates drier air better than most ferns, but the dry forced-air heating in Ontario and Quebec homes from November onward can still cause tip browning if the plant is too close to a vent. Move it away from heating vents and keep the soil from drying out completely.

Will it survive a Canadian winter indoors?

Yes and it is one of the better ferns for doing so. It stays green, holds its fronds, and does not need a humidifier the way Boston Ferns or Maidenhair Ferns do. Keep temperatures above 15°C and keep the soil lightly moist. Read our tips on keeping plants alive in winter for more.

How to take care of Blue Star Fern

Good to Know

Sun: Indirect

Medium to low indirect light is ideal. A north- or east-facing window works well in a Canadian home year-round. Avoid direct sun which bleaches the distinctive blue-green colour of the fronds. In winter, keep it as close to a bright indirect window as possible.

Light: Medium to low indirect

One of the better ferns for lower-light conditions in Canadian homes. It tolerates a north-facing window year-round. From October to February when daylight shortens, keep it near the brightest available indirect light source.

Water: When top inch of soil is slightly dry

Keep the soil consistently and lightly moist. Water when the top inch is slightly dry, every five to seven days in spring and summer, every seven to ten days in a Canadian winter. Never let it dry out completely as fronds brown quickly.

Humidity: Moderate

Tolerates average indoor humidity much better than most ferns, which makes it one of the most practical fern choices for the dry forced-air heating season in Ontario and Quebec homes. A light misting helps but a humidifier is not essential.

Pet Friendly: Yes

Non-toxic to cats and dogs, confirmed safe by multiple veterinary sources. No adverse reactions documented. Safe for homes with pets and small children.

Pro Tip

The thick, furry creeping rhizomes on the surface of the soil are not roots that need covering. They are the plant's natural anchoring system from its epiphytic life on tree trunks. Keep them on the soil surface or let them creep over the pot edge. Burying them causes rot. This is the most common mistake with this fern and the easiest to avoid.

What To Expect

Shipping and Delivery Details

Choose local GTA delivery, free Richmond Hill pickup, or shipping across Canada. Pick your delivery or pickup date at checkout, we'll have it ready and fresh for you. See full shipping and delivery details.

30-Day Happy Plant Guarantee

If your plant arrives damaged or isn't healthy, contact us within 30 days with a photo. We'll sort it out with a replacement, refund, or store credit whichever works best for you. View our complete guarantee policy

Frequently Asked Questions

Certainly! If you're pondering about ordering plants online, you're not alone. We've compiled the most frequently asked questions. Check out our FAQ section here for quick answers! Happy planting!

Plant and Pot Size Guide

4" Pot (Small): plant is approx. 6-10 inches tall. 6" Pot (Medium): approx. 12-18 inches tall. All plants come in a standard nursery pot. Decorative pots are sold separately.

Winter Shipping Protection

Between November and March we add extra insulated packaging and heat packs to protect your plant from cold temperatures during transit. You can add winter shipping protection at checkout.

Returns Policy

If a plant arrives with significant damage, pests, or disease, we offer a full replacement or refund.Our guarantee covers the viability and health of your plant for 30 days.

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