Phlebodium pseudoaureum

RHS Plant Profile
Virginia blue fern

Save a plant

Where do you want to save Phlebodium pseudoaureum?

Plants I own
Wishlist
Go to My Plants
Award of Garden Merit
Ferns
Buy this from Plant Nurseries
1 Suppliers

A species of fern with distinctive narrow, lance-shaped, deeply lobed blue to greyish-green fronds which can reach lengths of up to 150cm long. Grows both epiphytically and terrestrially. A great choice for woodland areas or for hanging baskets

Position

Partial shade

Soil Types

Chalk, Loam, Sand

Size

Time to Maturity
2–5 years

Growing Conditions

Chalk Loam Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid or Neutral

Position

Partial shade
Aspect
East–facing or North–facing or South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

  • H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
  • H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
  • H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
  • H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
  • H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
  • H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
  • H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
  • H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
  • H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)
H3

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Polypodiaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Clump forming
Genus
Phlebodium are evergreen ferns with creeping rhizomes clothed in scales, bearing pinnate fronds at intervals
Name Status
Correct

How to Grow

Cultivation

Indoors, grow in free-draining loamy soil in bright, filtered light. Water moderately and feed regularly during the growing season. Mist regularly if kept in areas with a high humidity. Outside, grow in a frost-free location in fertile, well-drained soil in full or part shade. See Epiphytic Ferns for further advice

Propagation

Propagate by division or spores

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Houseplants
  • Conservatory and greenhouse

Pruning

Remove dead or damaged fronds

Pests

May be susceptible to scale insects

Diseases

Generally disease-free