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Blue Star Fern Phlebodium aureum
Photograph: Getty Images/Dorling Kindersley RF
Photograph: Getty Images/Dorling Kindersley RF

Houseplant of the week: blue star fern

This article is more than 1 year old

This beauty will flourish in any household - just make sure conditions mimic its humid homeland

Why will I love it?
It’s a blue-toned beauty that stands out from the crowd. Native to tropical rainforests of South America, it grows as an epiphyte – meaning it attaches itself to and grows on trees. It bears beautiful, elongated, wavy, blue-green, finger-like fronds that grow on long upright stems from the creeping rhizomes.

Light or shade?
Bright indirect light with dappled to partial shade.

Where should I put it?
This fern naturally grows in the high humidity of the rainforest, so place it in your steamy bathroom or kitchen, and it should be thrilled.

How do I keep it alive?
The blue star fern is happy in average room temperatures of 16-24C, with a minimum of 10C. However, be careful to avoid draughts. This fast-growing plant can reach heights of one metre indoors. Raise the humidity by misting often and watering weekly, making sure the soil remains moist and doesn’t completely dry out.

Did you know …
The blue star fern is rather bougie about its water, preferring distilled or rainwater, as the minerals in tap water can cause browning tips.

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