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Indoor plant care

Button Fern

Pellaea rotundifolia

• LightButton Fern grows best in bright indirect light at 150 to…
• WaterWater Button Fern when the topsoil feels dry. Check below…
• ToxicitySafe for cats & dogs
• Mature sizeIts eventual height is 12 to 18 in / 30…

Button Fern is a compact fern with arching, wiry fronds lined by small, rounded leaflets. The neat buttons create a different texture from soft, feathery fern foliage. Its modest size works well on shelves, desks, and narrow plant stands. This plant suits growers who can offer bright filtered light and careful watering. It prefers some drying near the surface but should not endure a long, severe drought.

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Care data checked 25 September 2026 · Dany · A-Z Plants

Light requirements

Button Fern grows best in bright indirect light at 150 to 250 μmol·m⁻²·s⁻¹ PPFD. Its small leaflets need protection from harsh direct sun.

• Placement: keep it about 5 ft / 1.5 m from a south, west or east-facing window, without an open view of the sky.
• Filtering: use a sheer curtain if direct rays cannot otherwise be avoided.
• Measurement: check photosynthetically active radiation with a PAR meter or PAR meter app.
• Too much light can bleach or crisp the leaflets. Too little light slows growth and produces thin, sparse fronds.

Watering

Water Button Fern when the topsoil feels dry. Check below the surface before adding water, since the middle of the pot may remain moist. Use room temperature rainwater, distilled water, or reverse osmosis water.

• Saturate the root ball until water exits the drainage holes. Let the pot drain completely before returning it to a saucer or decorative planter.
• Use a container with drainage holes. Constant wetness can cause root rot and leaf yellowing.
• Water considerably less in winter, when active growth slows, but avoid leaving the entire root ball dry for long.
• Crispy leaflets often follow extended dryness or very dry air. Persistent wilting in wet soil may indicate damaged roots rather than thirst.

Soil

An organic all-purpose potting mix gives Button Fern enough moisture while supporting its fine roots. The mix should stay loose and release excess water promptly. Use a pot with drainage holes.

• DIY recipe: blend 3 parts coir with 1 part pumice.
• Finish with a light top dressing of worm castings.

Feeding

Apply an organic all-purpose fertilizer every 2 to 4 weeks from March to October. Feed Button Fern while new fronds are developing and apply fertilizer to damp soil. Avoid heavy doses, which can burn roots and brown the leaflets. Stop regular feeding in winter.

Temperature & humidity

Button Fern prefers 65 to 80°F / 18 to 27°C. Avoid cold drafts, heating vents, and abrupt temperature shifts. Maintain humidity between 40 and 50%. This moderate range helps prevent crispy leaflets without requiring the constantly damp air preferred by some other ferns.

What to expect

Button Fern takes about 2 to 5 years to reach maturity. Its eventual height is 12 to 18 in / 30 to 45 cm. It spreads about 12 to 18 in / 30 to 45 cm as additional arching fronds emerge from the base.

Varieties & cultivars

• Pellaea rotundifolia ‘Pulchra’: Fronds and rounded leaflets are larger than those of the standard Button Fern.
• Pellaea rotundifolia ‘Tricolor’: Green, cream, and pink variegation adds several colors to each frond.
• Pellaea rotundifolia ‘Marginata’: Distinct wavy margins give the fronds a rippled outline.