PHLEBODIUM AUREUM 'BLUE STAR' - CLEAN AIR PLANT

This fern, Phlebodium aureum 'Blue Star', also known as Rabbit's Foot Fern, has been catching my eye at the local RHS garden centre shop for a while.  It's blue green leaves are very striking and, apparently, it's an easy plant to grow.  I decided to buy one today and see how long it takes me to kill it off.  Hopefully I won't. I'm not sure where it's going to live inside my home, which is starting to look like Kew Gardens, but I'll find a space for it somewhere.  Hang it on a sky-hook!  I've repotted it into an ordinary plant pot which I have put on a saucer inside a hanging basket. 

Phlebodium aureum Blue Star 11052016

Phlebodium aureum 'Blue Star' 11052016

The label says that Phlebodium aureum 'Blue Star' should be placed in a bright spot away from direct sunlight.  It should be watered once a week and fed once a month.




I found on the internet that it should be placed in a shady spot!  I'll give it reasonable light and hope that does.  I also read that it shouldn't be subjected to less than 13 degrees celsius (centigrade).  As my plant is going to be grown indoors, I think it's going to be pretty safe.   




Personally, I never understand how they can say to water a plant once a week.  To me, it depends how fast the growing medium dries out.  I tend to judge my plants by the weight of the pot (if it feels heavy, then there's probably a good amount of water still in the compost) and how damp the growing medium is to touch.  Not that I always get it right, mind!




By the way, Phlebodium aureum is one of those plants that clean the air of impurities, so that's another plus aside from it looking beautiful.