Species button fern
Green leaves with brown stems.

button fern

Pellaea rotundifolia

The button fern (Pellaea rotundifolia) is an evergreen perennial native to South Africa. It has clusters of small, circular, glossy green leaves radiating out from a central crown. The fronds are held atop thin, wiry stems and produce a unique, button-like appearance. As it matures, button ferns become woody at their bases. These tough, drought-tolerant plants thrive in bright light and can tolerate partial shade. Button ferns can be grown indoors in soil and bright light. With proper care, it can live for many years.

Cycle:

Perennial

Watering:

Minimum

Propagation:

Seed Propagation

Hardiness Zone:

9 - 11

Flowers:

No flowers Flowers

Sun:

part shade,part sun/part shade

Fruits:

brown Fruits Ready In Summer

Leaf:

Yes

Leaf Color:

green

Growth Rate:

Low

Maintenance:

Low

Drought Tolerant:

Yes

Indoors:

Yes

Care Level:

Medium

watering

Button fern (Pellaea rotundifolia) should be watered once every 2-3 weeks, making sure to moisten the soil completely. The amount of water depends on the environment in which the fern is kept. If the fern is kept in a warm climate with good air circulation, water more often, using about 1-2 cups of water each time. If the fern is kept in a cooler climate with less air circulation, water less often, using about 1/2-1 cup of water each time. Make sure not to overwater the soil, as this can quickly lead to root rot.

sunlight

Button ferns (Pellaea rotundifolia) prefer bright, indirect sunlight or partial shade. It is best to avoid direct sunlight if possible. Depending on the local climate, it may be beneficial to provide some additional artificial light during the darker months. During the warmer months, button ferns should be exposed to at least 3-4 hours of sunlight a day.

pruning

Pruning for your button fern should occur twice per year. This houseplant will thrive with light pruning in the spring and fall months. During the growing season, you can prune back any dead or browned foliage to stimulate new growth and promote a full, lush fern. In the spring months, you can cut back any stems that may be too tall or that have lost their color. During the fall months, you can lightly prune the plant, removing any dead or wilted leaves, as well as any stems that have grown too large. Additionally, you can reduce overcrowding by cutting back overly thick stems from time to time. Aim to only remove 1/3 of the foliage per pruning session so as to not shock the plant, and never pull the leaves off the stem as this can damage the plant.

Hardiness Map