Jane Powell
January 25, 2025
My blue star fern sits on an old schoolhouse desk beside my couch. I guess I have
had it for three or four years now. It is one of those plants I like but don’t really
think about often.
This window is where I watch the birds build their nest each spring, then feast on
the holly tree berries in the autumn. It’s where I watch the snow fall, and the
branches glow in the light of the desktop lamp.
There are several other plants on the desk, but the fern is the star. I often forget
that and take this lovely plant for granted.
I was drawn to the blue star because of the color. The plant is not the deep green
of my other indoor plants, it’s a beautiful gray-blue shade of green. The blue star
fronds are not the feather-like fronds of most ferns; they are often described as
lobed and irregular. There is a curve to the edges of the fronds or leaves.
My plant is not as dense as other ferns. There is an airiness to the plant. Maybe
this is because it is technically an epiphyte, a plant that lives on another plant and
gets nourishment from the air and moisture. Think of the hanging stag horn fern
or orchids growing in the tropics as examples.
Although it is possible to mount a blue star, I have only seen it grown in a
container with soil. I use a loose mix of potting soil and have had good results. To
keep the soil even looser, I could add an orchid soil mixture, but I stick with
potting soil.
Keep the soil moist, but not wet to avoid root rot. Although high humidity is not
necessary, blue star will enjoy an occasional spritz or even sitting the plant’s
container on a pebble bed. This means adding a sturdy saucer or tray under the
plant container and then adding water to the pebbles. As the water evaporates, it
adds humidity to the air.
When we talk about ferns, it is often as shade-loving plants for the dark spots of
the garden. Not blue star, this plant needs light. An indirect light is best. If left in
intense direct light, the fronds will burn.
The blue star fern can grow quite large, up to four feet tall and almost six feet
wide. Mine is not nearly that big. I did see one close to this size on the counter of
a small business. It was fabulous. Actually, the entire shop was filled with large
healthy plants. Someone there had a very green thumb.
This plant is a slow grower and will only need to be repotted once every 2-3
years. Gradually, over the years increase the plant’s container size as the blue
star grows. Keep the new container within 4 inches bigger; no need to go crazy
and repot into a huge container.
When asked about my indoor plants, I might mention my fiddle leaf fig, foxtail
fern, or lemon tree. This unassuming yet beautiful blue star would slip my mind.
Yet, it is in the background of many photos, a plant I glance around almost daily,
and has prime real estate in the room. The blue star is a no-fuss plant, and it
seems only right to finally give this steely gray fern with goofy-shaped leaves the
admiration it deserves.