Botanical Name: Nephrolepis cordifolia

Common Name: Button Fern

Hardiness Zone: Perennial in Warm Climates (USDA Zones 9–11); Houseplant Elsewhere

Size: 12–24" Tall × 12–24" Wide

Growth Habit: Compact, Arching, Clump-Forming

Sunlight: Bright Indirect Light; Partial Shade Outdoors

Soil: Moist, Well-Drained, Organic-Rich Soil

Water Needs: Moderate; Consistent Moisture Preferred

Humidity: Prefers Moderate Humidity

Fertilizer: Light Feeding During Active Growth

Features: Rounded Button-Like Leaflets, Soft Texture, Tidy Growth Habit

Uses: Houseplants, Containers, Shade Gardens, Bathrooms, Sunrooms

Patent: ❌ Not Patented

Propagation: ✔ Propagation Allowed (Division)

More About Button Ferns

Button Fern is a dependable, easygoing fern that fits beautifully into everyday spaces. Its fronds are made up of small, rounded leaflets—hence the name—which give the plant a softer, more refined look than larger, more sprawling ferns. It naturally holds a compact shape, so it looks neat without constant pruning.

Indoors, Button Fern performs best in bright, indirect light with evenly moist soil. It appreciates humidity but is more forgiving of average indoor conditions than delicate ferns like Maidenhair. Outdoors in warm climates, it works well in shaded containers or protected garden beds where moisture can be maintained.

This is a great fern for people who love the look of ferns but want something manageable. It doesn’t demand special mounting or high humidity, and it rebounds quickly if it dries out slightly. For kitchens, bathrooms, desks, and shaded patios, Button Fern is a solid, low-stress choice.

Why We Like It (Our Trials)

At Garden Delivery, Button Fern has proven to be one of the most reliable ferns we grow for indoor use. In our trials, it maintained a compact, tidy shape without constant trimming and showed far less stress than larger ferns when humidity levels fluctuated. Even in average indoor conditions, the foliage stayed full and green rather than thinning or browning.

We also appreciate how forgiving it is. If it dries slightly between waterings, it rebounds quickly without long-term damage. For customers who love ferns but don’t want something fussy or high-maintenance, Button Fern has consistently been one of our safest recommendations.

Button Fern vs. Other Ferns

Button Fern is all about balance and reliability. Compared to Maidenhair Ferns, it’s noticeably sturdier and far less sensitive to humidity swings. It stays smaller and more controlled than Asparagus Fern, which can sprawl and surprise people over time. Against Lemon Button Ferns, the difference is subtle—Button Fern feels a bit more classic and neutral, without the extra sensory element. It doesn’t try to steal the show, but it also doesn’t disappear in a planting. This is the fern I trust when someone wants greenery without a learning curve.

Where Button Fern really shines is consistency. Unlike Staghorn Ferns, it doesn’t need mounting or special placement, and compared to Autumn Ferns, it’s better suited for indoor spaces. It won’t deliver dramatic form or seasonal color shifts, but it also won’t punish you for missing a watering window. Button Fern behaves exactly the way you want a fern to behave. It’s a quiet performer that earns its keep.