Botanical Name: Nephrolepis cordifolia ‘Duffii’

Common Name: Lemon Button Fern

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

Size: 12–18" Tall × 12–18" 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 to High Humidity

Fertilizer: Light Feeding During Active Growth

Features: Small Rounded “Button” Leaflets, Soft Texture, Fresh Green Color, Subtle Lemon Scent When Brushed

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

Patent: ❌ Not Patented

Propagation: ✔ Propagation Allowed (Division)

More About Lemon Button Fern

Lemon Button Fern is one of my go-to ferns when someone wants something soft, tidy, and easy to live with. The fronds are made up of small, rounded leaflets that give it a gentle, almost playful texture compared to larger, looser ferns. It has a naturally compact habit, so it looks intentional without constant trimming or fussing.

What sets this fern apart is how manageable it is. Unlike Boston Ferns that can quickly outgrow their space, Lemon Button Fern stays contained and well-shaped. The foliage is a bright, fresh green, and if you brush past it, there’s often a faint lemony scent—nothing strong, just a pleasant surprise.

Indoors, it does best in bright, indirect light with consistent moisture and decent humidity. It’s especially happy in kitchens, bathrooms, or sunrooms where the air isn’t too dry. Outdoors, it works beautifully in shaded containers or protected garden spots in warm climates.

Why We Like It (Our Experience)

At Garden Delivery, Lemon Button Fern has proven to be one of the most reliable ferns for indoor use. It holds its shape, refreshes quickly after watering, and doesn’t drop fronds the way larger ferns often do. Customers love that it looks polished without demanding constant attention.

I also appreciate how versatile it is. It works just as well as a tabletop plant as it does in hanging baskets or mixed shade containers. When someone wants a fern that feels friendly rather than fussy, this is usually the one I point them toward.

Lemon Button Fern vs. Other Ferns

Lemon Button Fern builds on everything Button Ferns do well, with just a little extra personality. Compared to standard Button Fern, the foliage is slightly brighter and the plant often feels a touch more lively. It’s still far more forgiving than Maidenhair Ferns, which demands near-perfect moisture and humidity. Against Asparagus Ferns, Lemon Button stays compact and intentional, never turning wild or unruly. The light citrus scent when brushed is subtle, but it gives the plant an added layer of charm. It feels friendly and approachable.

In use, Lemon Button Fern is one of my favorites for indoor spaces. It’s easier than Holly Ferns indoors, which generally prefer outdoor shade. Compared to Staghorn Ferns, it’s far less architectural but infinitely more flexible. You can tuck it onto a shelf, a countertop, or into a mixed container without designing the entire space around it. If someone wants a fern that feels fresh but not fussy, this is usually where I steer them.