Blue Oil Fern (Microsorum thailandicum)

Blue Oil Fern (Microsorum thailandicum) is a rare, epiphytic (occasionally lithophytic) fern hailing from Southeast Asia—particularly Thailand. It is celebrated for its metallic, iridescent blue-green fronds that shimmer like an oil slick under bright, indirect light.

Features and Habitat:

• Fronds: Narrow, strap-like leaves with a fleshy, glossy texture; notable for their iridescent blue sheen, especially vibrant in shaded environments.

Care Tips:

• Light: Optimal growth and color emerge under bright but indirect or partial shade; too much light diminishes the blue tones
• Temperature: Thrives in warm tropical conditions (≈18–28 °C or 64–82 °F). Avoid cold drafts.
• Humidity: Prefers high humidity (50–70%+). Mist regularly or grow in humid spots or terrariums.
• Watering: Keep substrate consistently moist. Avoid drying out or waterlogging.
• Substrate: Use a chunky, well‑draining mix (bark, perlite, coco coir, or sphagnum moss) for moist but well‑aerated roots.
• Fertilizer: Low‑to‑moderate feeding—1–2 times a year with diluted houseplant feed during growth phases.
• Propagation: Slow‑growing; mainly by division. Spores are possible but require patience.