Iridescent Blue Peacock Fern Live Plant – Selaginella uncinata – 6 inch Hanging Basket

Overview

Introduce a touch of otherworldly beauty to your plant collection with the iridescent blue peacock fern, Selaginella uncinata. This remarkable live plant, often referred to as the Peacock Fern, is prized for its dazzling, iridescent blue foliage that seems to glow from certain angles. While not a true fern, it is a close relative belonging to the Selaginellaceae family, offering a unique texture and color that stands out amongst typical houseplants. Originating from China, the iridescent blue peacock fern thrives in conditions that mimic its humid, shaded natural habitat, making it a perfect candidate for indoor cultivation or terrarium environments. Its finely cut, densely spreading leaves create a lush, carpet-like appearance, adding an intricate visual appeal to any setting. This plant is delivered as a healthy, established live plant, ready to enchant your home.

The scientific name, Selaginella uncinata, hints at its distinctive, hook-like leaf structure, while its common name perfectly captures its vibrant, ever-changing blue hue. This tropical beauty is an excellent choice for plant enthusiasts seeking something truly extraordinary. Its low-growing, spreading habit makes it versatile for various displays, from hanging baskets to ground cover in a shaded garden in warmer climates. Experience the magic of this living gem that continuously shifts in color with every subtle change in light and perspective, providing endless fascination.

Key Benefits

The iridescent blue peacock fern offers a multitude of benefits beyond its striking appearance, enriching your living space with its unique charm and character. This plant is not just a visual delight but also brings a sense of tranquility and natural beauty into your home.

• Stunning Iridescent Foliage: The primary draw of the iridescent blue peacock fern is its unbelievably brilliant blue leaves, which exhibit a mesmerizing iridescence. This color changes and shimmers with the slightest movement or shift in vantage point, creating a dynamic and captivating display that draws the eye and adds a unique aesthetic to any room.
• Unique Texture and Growth Habit: With finely cut, densely spreading leaves, the plant forms an intricate, carpet-like texture. It grows less than 1 inch high but spreads gracefully, making it ideal for creating lush ground cover in terrariums or filling out a hanging basket with its delicate, sprawling stems.
• Excellent Houseplant or Terrarium Specimen: This plant excels as a selaginella plant indoor, particularly in environments where humidity can be maintained, such as bathrooms, kitchens, or enclosed terrariums. Its preference for medium to low light makes it adaptable to various indoor settings where other plants might struggle.
• Adds Exotic Appeal: Hailing from Chinese origins, the Selaginella uncinata brings an exotic and unusual element to your plant collection. Its distinct appearance and color make it a conversation starter and a unique focal point in any botanical arrangement.
• Relatively Low Maintenance: Once its primary needs for consistent moisture and high humidity are met, the selaginella uncinata care is straightforward. It doesn’t require frequent pruning or complex feeding schedules, making it suitable for both experienced and novice plant parents.
• Versatile Use: Beyond being a beautiful stand-alone houseplant, its spreading nature makes it perfect for adding a vibrant understory to larger potted plants, creating miniature landscapes, or serving as an eye-catching ground cover in suitable outdoor zones.
• Compact Size: Its small leaves and low-growing habit ensure it remains a manageable size, perfect for small spaces, desks, shelves, or as part of a larger plant composition without overwhelming the area.

Plant Care & Growing Tips

To ensure your iridescent blue peacock fern thrives, understanding its specific care requirements is crucial. This plant, while beautiful, does have particular needs, especially regarding humidity and moisture. It is hardy in USDA zones 6-10 if planted outdoors, but it generally performs best as an indoor plant or in a terrarium due to its humidity demands.

Sunlight Requirements: The iridescent blue peacock fern prefers medium to low light conditions. Direct, harsh sunlight can scorch its delicate foliage and diminish its vibrant blue color, sometimes even causing it to turn an iridescent reddish-brown. An east-facing window or a spot in a shaded area of a room is ideal. If grown outdoors in appropriate zones, ensure it is in a deeply shaded location, protected from any direct sun. Think of its natural habitat: the forest floor, where it receives dappled, indirect light.

Watering Schedule and Soil Moisture: This plant requires consistently moist soil. It is crucial to never let the soil dry out completely. Water thoroughly when the top inch of soil begins to feel slightly dry, but avoid letting the plant sit in standing water, which can lead to root rot. Good drainage is important, even with its need for moisture. High humidity is paramount for the iridescent blue peacock fern. If your indoor environment is dry, consider placing the pot on a pebble tray filled with water, using a humidifier nearby, or misting the plant regularly. For a consistent high-humidity environment, a closed terrarium is often the best solution for optimal selaginella uncinata care.

Soil Type and Drainage: A well-draining, moisture-retentive potting mix is best. A mix formulated for ferns or tropical plants, often containing peat moss, perlite, and a good quality potting soil, will provide the ideal balance. The soil should hold moisture but allow excess water to drain freely. Ensure your pot has drainage holes to prevent waterlogging. Consistent moisture without soggy conditions is key for a healthy peacock fern terrarium.

Temperature Range and Fertilization: The plant prefers temperatures between 60-75°F (15-24°C) and should be protected from cold drafts or sudden temperature fluctuations. Avoid placing it near air conditioning vents or heaters. Fertilize sparingly, perhaps once a month during the growing season (spring and summer) with a diluted liquid houseplant fertilizer. Over-fertilization can harm the plant. During fall and winter, reduce or cease fertilization. Common problems include crispy leaves due to low humidity or yellowing leaves from overwatering. Adjust environmental conditions accordingly to keep your selaginella plant indoor thriving.

Size & Details

The iridescent blue peacock fern (Selaginella uncinata) is presented in a convenient 6-inch hanging basket, ready to display and enjoy immediately upon arrival. This allows its delicate, spreading stems to cascade gracefully, showcasing its unique iridescent foliage. The plant itself is low-growing, typically reaching less than 1 inch in height, but it has a wonderful spreading habit, making it an excellent ground cover or filler for terrariums and larger planters. The tiny leaves are approximately 1/8 inch or smaller, contributing to its intricate, carpet-like appearance.

When fully mature, this plant will spread to create a dense mat of shimmering blue-green foliage, often reaching a diameter of 12-18 inches in ideal conditions. It is shipped as an established live plant, carefully packaged to ensure its safe journey to your home. While it thrives year-round indoors, its growth rate will be most active during the warmer months with consistent moisture and humidity. Expect a lush, vibrant addition to your indoor garden that provides year-round interest with its ever-changing color and delicate texture. This plant is an ideal size for tabletops, shelves, or as a hanging accent, offering versatile placement options.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Q: How big does this plant get? A: The iridescent blue peacock fern is a low-growing plant, typically reaching less than 1 inch in height. However, it spreads horizontally, forming a dense mat that can cover an area of 12-18 inches in diameter over time, making it excellent for ground cover or hanging baskets.
• Q: Is this an indoor or outdoor plant? A: While hardy in USDA zones 6-10, the iridescent blue peacock fern is primarily grown as an indoor plant or in a terrarium due to its high humidity requirements. If grown outdoors, it needs a consistently shaded and humid environment, protected from direct sun and cold temperatures.
• Q: How much sunlight does it need? A: This plant prefers medium to low light conditions. Bright, indirect light is best. Direct sunlight can scorch its delicate leaves and cause the vibrant blue color to fade or turn reddish-brown. An east-facing window or a shaded spot is ideal for your selaginella plant indoor.
• Q: Is this plant easy to care for? A: The selaginella uncinata care is relatively easy once its specific needs for consistent moisture and high humidity are met. It’s not drought-tolerant, so regular watering is key, but it doesn’t require complicated feeding or pruning schedules.
• Q: What condition will it arrive in? A: Your iridescent blue peacock fern will arrive as a healthy, established live plant in a 6-inch hanging basket. We carefully package our plants to ensure they reach you in the best possible condition, ready to thrive in their new home.
• Q: What is the best way to maintain its blue color? A: To maintain the brilliant iridescent blue color, provide consistent medium to low light and high humidity. Avoid direct sunlight, as too much light can cause the foliage to lose its blue hue and turn reddish-brown.
• Q: Can I use this plant in a terrarium? A: Yes, the peacock fern terrarium is an excellent choice! Its preference for high humidity and low light, combined with its compact, spreading growth habit, makes it perfectly suited for creating a lush, vibrant miniature ecosystem within a terrarium.
• Q: What type of soil does it need? A: This plant thrives in a well-draining yet moisture-retentive potting mix. A mix formulated for ferns or tropical plants, rich in organic matter like peat moss, is ideal to ensure consistent moisture without waterlogging.
• Q: Is this plant pet-safe? A: Selaginella uncinata is generally considered non-toxic to pets according to various plant toxicity lists. However, it’s always best to prevent pets from ingesting any houseplants to avoid potential stomach upset.
• Q: How often should I water my Selaginella? A: Water your iridescent blue peacock fern when the top inch of soil feels slightly dry to the touch. The key is to keep the soil consistently moist but never soggy. High humidity is also crucial, so regular misting or a pebble tray can be beneficial.