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How to Grow Button Fern

iNaturalist

Button Fern

Pellaea rotundifolia

herb

Button fern is a delicate, compact fern native to New Zealand, characterized by small, round leaflets that resemble buttons along wiry stems. It is a popular houseplant prized for its attractive, fine-textured foliage and low-growing habit. This evergreen fern thrives in moderate to bright indirect light and prefers consistently moist but well-draining conditions.

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Example Button Fern timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)

  1. Plant Button Fern

    Around Apr 17

    Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.

  2. Tend & protect

    Late spring–summer

    Watering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.

  3. Harvest Button Fern

    Late summer into fall

    Before the first fall frost (≈ Nov 8)

Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Button Fern dates for your own zip code.

Growing Conditions

☀️
Sun: Bright indirect light; 3-4 hours of filtered light daily. Avoid direct sun which can scorch fronds.
💧
Water: Keep soil consistently moist but never waterlogged. Water when the top inch of soil feels dry. Reduce watering in winter. Prefers high humidity; mist regularly or place on a humidity tray.
📏
Spacing: 6 inches
📅
Days to maturity: Not applicable; mature plants reached in 12-18 months
🌱
Planting depth: Plant at the same depth as the nursery pot; do not bury the crown

Soil

Type: Well-draining, peat-based or peat-free potting mix with good organic content
pH: 5.5-6.5
Amendments:
Perlite or pumice for drainage Coco coir or peat moss for moisture retention Orchid bark (optional, for added aeration)

Growing Zones

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Thrives in zones 10b-11; grown as houseplant in cooler climates

10b 11a 11b

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Growth Stages

1

Establishment

2-4 weeks

New plant with sparse, delicate fronds emerging from the base. Rhizoids developing to establish in soil.

Maintain high humidity and consistently moist soil. Avoid fertilizing for the first 4-6 weeks. Protect from cold drafts.

2

Vegetative Growth

3-6 months

Fronds multiply and lengthen, with characteristic small, round leaflets appearing along stems. Plant becomes fuller and bushier.

Maintain bright indirect light and high humidity. Fertilize monthly with diluted liquid fertilizer (half-strength). Rotate pot weekly for even growth.

3

Mature Growth

Ongoing

Plant reaches full size (typically 12-15 inches tall), with dense, cascading fronds. Foliage appears lush and vibrant green.

Continue consistent watering and humidity. Fertilize every 4-6 weeks during growing season (spring/summer). Remove any dead or yellowing fronds.

4

Maintenance

Indefinite

Established plant maintains its compact, mounded form. New growth emerges continuously in growing season.

Monitor for pests and disease. Repot every 12-18 months in spring. Prune back leggy growth to encourage bushier form.

Companion Planting

Plan your garden →

Plant with:

Prayer plant Peperomia Nerve plant Polka dot plant Begonia Fittonia

Avoid planting near:

Heat sources or vents Direct sunlight windows Dry air environments Cold drafts

Common Pests

  • Increase humidity, mist fronds regularly, spray with insecticidal soap if severe. Isolate infected plant from others.

  • Wipe fronds with a damp cloth. Apply neem oil or insecticidal soap every 7-10 days until eliminated.

  • Remove by hand with a soft brush. Treat with horticultural oil or insecticidal soap.

  • Repot in fresh, well-draining soil. Allow soil to dry slightly between waterings. Remove affected roots.

Uses

🏠

Interior air purification

Household

Ferns are known to naturally filter indoor air by removing formaldehyde and other common air pollutants. Button fern's compact size makes it ideal for desks, shelves, and small spaces. [source]

🎨

Terrarium and container gardening

Craft

Button fern's delicate foliage and low-growing habit make it perfect for closed terrariums, bottle gardens, and dish gardens. It thrives in the humid, sheltered environment of these enclosed containers. [source]

🏠

Decorative houseplant

Household

Its attractive, fine-textured foliage and cascading habit make it an excellent choice for hanging baskets, plant stands, or as a ground cover in plant groupings. [source]

🦋

Shade garden plant

Wildlife

In tropical and subtropical outdoor gardens (zones 10b-11), button fern provides shelter and moisture habitat for small invertebrates and beneficial insects. [source]

Harvest Tips

Button ferns are ornamental foliage plants, not harvested for food or material. Remove dead fronds and damaged leaflets at the base of stems to maintain attractive appearance. Prune leggy stems in spring to encourage compact, bushier growth.

Fun Facts

  • 🌱 Button fern is native to New Zealand and was named for its small, rounded leaflets that resemble tiny buttons along delicate, wiry stems.
  • 🌱 Unlike flowering plants, ferns reproduce via spores rather than seeds. Button fern spores develop on the undersides of mature fronds in structures called sori.
  • 🌱 Ferns are among the oldest land plants on Earth, with fossils dating back over 360 million years. They thrived during the age of dinosaurs.
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