Phlebodium aureum 'Blue Star'

Species background of Phlebodium aureum 'Blue Star'

The species Phlebodium aureum is native from the southeastern United States through the Caribbean and into tropical South America. In the wild, it grows on tree trunks and branches, with the creeping rhizome spreading across the surface.

Growing conditions for Phlebodium aureum 'Blue Star'

• Light: Give it bright, filtered light and shield the fronds from intense direct sun.
• Temperature: Keep the fern warm, ideally above 16°C, and away from cold draughts.
• Humidity: High humidity helps keep the long frond segments smooth and green. Pair humid air with gentle ventilation.
• Water: Let the mix become almost dry before watering thoroughly. Rainwater or filtered water is useful where tap water is strongly alkaline.
• Growing mix: Use a loose fern mix with coarse bark and other chunky ingredients; a mix that is a little acidic suits this fern.
• Rhizome: Keep the creeping rhizome at the surface of the mix so new fronds can emerge freely.
• Feeding: Feed lightly while new fronds are growing.
• Repotting: Repot when the rhizome has reached the pot edge, roots have filled the container or the old mix remains wet for too long.

Health guide for Phlebodium aureum 'Blue Star'

• Pale tan patches develop across the upper fronds: Strong direct sun has marked the foliage. Shift the plant away from direct sun into bright filtered light; healthy green portions of the frond can remain.
• Frond tips turn dry and brown: Low humidity, very dry growing mix, strong heat or hard water can mark the foliage. Check moisture, raise humidity and use rainwater or filtered water where hard water is a recurring issue.
• Fronds yellow while the mix remains damp for long periods: The roots are remaining wet for too long because the mix dries slowly. Wait until it is nearly dry before watering again, improve drainage and replace old, compacted mix if needed.
• Brown shell-like bumps or sticky residue appear on the fronds: Scale insects are a known pest. Isolate the fern, inspect both sides of the fronds, and if scale needs treatment, choose a product that lists scale on ornamental plants and keep to the interval stated on its label.

Phlebodium aureum ‘Blue Star’ is non-toxic to cats and dogs

• This plant is non-toxic to cats and dogs.
• Its effects on people are unclear, so keep it away from young children who may chew it.
• Eating a large amount can still cause an upset stomach. Seek medical or veterinary advice if symptoms continue.

When and where was Phlebodium aureum first published?

Phlebodium comes from Greek phleb-, meaning vein.

John Smith established the genus Phlebodium in 1841 in Journal of Botany (Hooker), volume 4, page 58.

Carl Linnaeus first described it as Polypodium aureum in 1753 in Species Plantarum, page 1087. John Smith later placed it in Phlebodium as Phlebodium aureum in 1841 in Journal of Botany (Hooker), volume 4, page 59.