Easy Fern Safe for pets

Button Fern

Pellaea rotundifolia

A charming, compact fern with small, leathery, round leaflets arranged neatly along its delicate fronds.

The essentials at a glance

Watering

Every 7 days
Light

Medium light
Humidity

40–60 %
Temperature

16–24 °C

How to care for your Button Fern

Everything you need to keep your Button Fern healthy: watering, light, humidity, feeding, repotting and pruning.

The Button Fern is a delightful, compact fern characterized by its delicate, arching fronds adorned with numerous small, round, dark green leaflets, resembling buttons. It is more forgiving of lower humidity and occasional dry spells than many other ferns, making it a relatively easy-care houseplant. It thrives in low to medium indirect light and prefers well-draining soil that is allowed to dry out slightly between waterings, reducing the risk of root rot.

Watering your Button Fern

Every 7 days

Allow the top inch of soil to dry out before watering thoroughly. More drought tolerant than other ferns.

How to know it needs water

Topsoil dry to the touch
Leaves may curl slightly

How much light a Button Fern needs

Medium light

Low to medium indirect light. Avoid direct sun, which can scorch its delicate leaflets.

Direct sun tolerated: No direct sun
Orientations that suit it: North, North-east, East, North-west

Humidity and misting

40–60 %

Medium (40-60%). More tolerant of average household humidity than many other ferns. Mist occasionally if the air is very dry, but generally not as critical as for other ferns.

Feeding and fertiliser

Every 60 days

Fertilize sparingly every 2 months during spring and summer; avoid over-fertilizing.

Recommended feed: Half-strength balanced liquid fertilizer. · 1-1-1

Repotting your Button Fern

Every 24 months

Repot into a slightly larger pot with a well-draining potting mix, ideally with some sand or perlite.

When: Spring
Potting mix: All-purpose potting mix
Mix in: perlite, coco fibre

The tell-tale signs

Roots emerging from drainage holes
Growth slowing down
Plant becoming top-heavy

Pruning your Button Fern

As needed. Remove any old, damaged, or sparse fronds at the base with clean, sharp scissors.

Through the year

Watering is not set once and for all: it follows the light and the growth. Allow 8 days between waterings in the depth of winter, against 6 in the growing season.

Active growth · Days between waterings

Good to know

Its common name comes from its small, round, button-like leaflets arranged neatly along its delicate fronds.
Native to New Zealand, it's unusually tolerant of drier air for a fern.

Frequently asked questions about the Button Fern

How do you care for a Button Fern?

Water it every 7 days. Give it medium light. Ideal humidity: 40–60 %. Ideal temperature: 16–24 °C. Allow the top inch of soil to dry out before watering thoroughly. More drought tolerant than other ferns.

How often should you water a Button Fern?

Every 7 days Allow the top inch of soil to dry out before watering thoroughly. More drought tolerant than other ferns. How to know it needs water : Topsoil dry to the touch ; Leaves may curl slightly.

How much light does a Button Fern need?

Medium light Low to medium indirect light. Avoid direct sun, which can scorch its delicate leaflets. No direct sun

Is the Button Fern toxic to cats and dogs?

No, the Button Fern is not listed as toxic to cats and dogs. That is still no reason to let your pets chew on it.

Why are my Button Fern leaves turning yellow?

Yellowing most often comes from too much water: the mix stays wet and the roots suffocate. Check that the pot drains, empty the saucer, and let the mix dry before watering again. Too little light or a cold draught cause the same symptom.

When should you repot a Button Fern?

Repot every 24 months, ideally in spring. Repot into a slightly larger pot with a well-draining potting mix, ideally with some sand or perlite.