• Login
Search Login
0 Cart

Search anything about Plant Lighting, Content, and More.

Commonly searched:
SOLD OUT
Artistic illustration of green leaves on a beige background

Blue Oil Fern

SCIENTIFIC NAME: Microsorum thailandicum

KNOWN AS: Blue Oil Fern, Steere's Fern

CLIMATE (LOCATION): Southeast Asia (Thailand, Vietnam, Laos) | Tropical Rainforest (Epiphyte/Lithophyte)

DESCRIPTION: The Blue Oil Fern is one of the most mesmerizing plants in the world. Its leathery, strap-like fronds possess a stunning metallic blue iridescence. This isn't a pigment, but a biological trick: the plant uses "iridoplasts" to slow down light and capture more energy in the dim rainforest understory. Under a flashlight or bright indirect light, the leaves glow with an electric, neon-blue "oil slick" sheen.

Blue Oil Fern Plant Care

Lighting

Light Requirement: Medium Light (Medium Indirect Light); Low Light Tolerant

This is a deep-shade specialist.

The Secret: The blue iridescence is actually a defense mechanism for low light. If you give it too much light, the plant will turn a standard forest green and lose its blue glow.

Direct Sun: Lethal. Even an hour of direct sun will bleach the fronds and destroy the iridoplasts.

The Goal: A north-facing window or a dim corner where it can "hunt" for light is perfect.

Discover Our Grow Lights

SAVE 20%
Sale
White Soltech Aspect Gen 2 Hanging over Fiddle Leaf Fig Plant with a Teal background.
White Soltech Aspect Gen 2 Hanging over Fiddle Leaf Fig Plant with a Teal background.
Aspect™ Gen 2 LED Growlight
$229.00 CAD $287.00 CAD

Color:

White Black
SAVE 15%
Sale
A white Soltech Vita displayed against a yellow background with a wicker object and a green leaf in the backdrop.
A white Soltech Vita displayed against a yellow background with a wicker object and a green leaf in the backdrop.
Vita™ Grow Light
$104.00 CAD $122.00 CAD

Color:

White / Wide (60°) Black / Wide (60°)
SAVE UP TO 30%
Sale
A white Soltech Highland on the Highland Track Light System mounted on a rail, with a backdrop of an orange wall and green foliage.
A white Soltech Highland on the Highland Track Light System mounted on a rail, with a backdrop of an orange wall and green foliage.
Highland™ LED Track Light System
$280.00 CAD - $742.00 CAD $1,059.00 CAD

Color:

White / 1 light / Narrow (36 Degrees) Black / 1 light / Narrow (36 Degrees)
SAVE 20%
Sale
A Black Soltech Grove positioned on a table with a plant in the background, illustrating the product's use for indoor plants.
A Black Soltech Grove positioned on a table with a plant in the background, illustrating the product's use for indoor plants.
Grove™ LED Grow Light
$149.00 CAD $187.00 CAD

Color:

Black White

Watering

Quick Tip: Keep the soil consistently moist, but not waterlogged.

Unlike many ferns, the Blue Oil Fern has thicker, leathery leaves, but its roots are very fine and sensitive.

The Routine: Water when the very surface of the soil feels slightly dry. If the soil becomes bone-dry, the fronds will crisp up and the plant may not recover.

Water Quality: It is moderately sensitive to chemicals. Using filtered or rainwater will help prevent brown spots on those precious blue leaves.

Temperature

Preferred Temperature: 65º - 80º

This is a tropical plant that thrives in warmth.

Cold: It hates temperatures below 60°F. Cold drafts will cause the blue sheen to dull and can lead to root death.

Stability: It prefers a stable environment. Keep it away from AC units or heaters that cause rapid temperature swings.

Humidity

Preferred Humidity: 60 - 80%; High Humidity

This is the most critical factor for success.

The Problem: In dry indoor air, the tips of the fronds will turn black or brown, and the blue glow will fade.

The Solution: A humidifier is highly recommended. Because it is often grown as an epiphyte (on bark or in chunky mixes), it loves humid air circulating around its roots and leaves. It is a perfect candidate for a terrarium or glass cabinet.

Additional Plant Care

Propagation
The Blue Oil Fern grows from a creeping rhizome (a furry root-like stem). How to Propagate: Rhizome Division. During repotting, look for a section of the rhizome that has at least 2–3 fronds and its own set of roots. Carefully snip it with sterilized shears. Tip: Pin the rhizome to the surface of the new soil rather than burying it; burying the rhizome can cause it to rot.
Toxicity
Quick Warning: Non-Toxic to cats, dogs, and humans. Safe for pets, but because this is a rare and slow-growing plant, you’ll want to keep it out of reach of "nibblers" to preserve its beauty.
Repotting
When to Repot: Every 2–3 years. It is a slow grower and prefers to stay somewhat snug. Choose a Pot: Use a shallow pot or an orchid basket. It has shallow roots and doesn't need a deep reservoir of soil. Soil: Do not use standard potting soil (it's too heavy).
Pruning
Grooming: Remove old, brown fronds by cutting them at the base of the rhizome. Cleaning: Dust interferes with the plant’s ability to reflect blue light. Very gently wipe the leaves with a damp cloth or a soft makeup brush. Do not use leaf shine.
Fertilizing
Quick Tip: Feed very weakly; ferns are sensitive to salt. What to Use: A liquid seaweed or balanced fertilizer diluted to 1/4 strength. When to Apply: Once a month during the spring and summer. The Danger: Over-fertilizing will burn the delicate roots and can cause the blue color to turn a muddy brown. Always water with plain water before adding fertilizer. Winter: Stop fertilizing entirely in the winter.
Soil
In the wild, this fern grows on rocks or tree trunks. It needs an "ultra-airy" mix. Ideal Mix: An Epiphytic or Orchid-style mix. Recommended Blend: 1 part long-fiber sphagnum moss, 1 part orchid bark, and 1 part perlite. This allows the roots to stay moist but provides the heavy aeration they require to prevent rot.

Hanging Heights

Blue Oil Fern Lighting Requirements: Medium Light (Medium Indirect Light); Low Light Tolerant

Chart showing recommended hanging heights for Soltech Aspect and popular plants for each range.

Aspect Hanging Heights - Blue Oil Fern

-

Soltech's Recommendation -

48"-72"

-

VIEW ASPECT GROW GUIDE

Vita Hanging Heights - Blue Oil Fern

-

Soltech's Recommendation -

36º Narrow Beam Vita : Not Recommended

60º Wide Beam Vita : Not Recommended

-

VIEW VITA GROW GUIDE

Highland Hanging Heights - Blue Oil Fern

-

Soltech's Recommendation -

36º Narrow Beam Highland : Not Recommended

60º Wide Beam Highland : Not Recommended

-

VIEW HIGHLAND GROW GUIDE

Grove Hanging Heights - Blue Oil Fern

-

Soltech's Recommendation:

  • 12" to 24"

-

VIEW GROVE GROW GUIDE

Lighting guide for plants with Soltech Aura and potted plants on a neutral background

Aura Light Distances - Blue Oil Fern

-

Soltech's Recommendation:

  • 8" to 18"

-

VIEW AURA GROW GUIDE

Read Soltech's Blog

Why Is My Terracotta Pot Growing Mold?

Why Is My Terracotta Pot Growing Mold?

White fuzz or dark smudges on a terracotta pot are one of the most common things plant owners search for, and the good news is that it is almost always easy to explain and even easier to fix.

Read more
Why Do Succulents Struggle Most in the Spots Where They Look Best?

Why Do Succulents Struggle Most in the Spots Where They Look Best?

Succulents need six to eight hours of bright light a day to stay healthy, according to South Dakota State University Extension, but many of the spots homeowners love to style them, bookshelves, bathroom vanities, dark entryway consoles, fall well short of that. Styling succulents well and keeping them alive both come down to matching the display spot to the plant's actual light needs, not just picking a pretty vessel. This guide covers why succulents have become such a popular decor choice, how much light they truly need, the riskiest styling spots, how to catch warning signs early, and how to keep the look without sacrificing the plant.

Read more
What's the Difference Between Direct and Indirect Light (and Why Your Plant Cares)?

What's the Difference Between Direct and Indirect Light (and Why Your Plant Cares)?

Houseplants absorb light through chlorophyll to fuel photosynthesis, the type of light reaching a plant matters just as much as how much of it there is. Direct light means unfiltered sun rays landing straight on a plant's leaves, while indirect light has been filtered, diffused, or bounced off another surface before it reaches the plant. This guide breaks down what actually separates the two, why the difference determines whether a plant thrives or scorches, and how to tell which one you're actually working with at home.

Read more