About Button Fern
A charming, low-growing fern with rows of small, round, button-like leaflets arranged along dark, wiry stems. Unlike many ferns, it has a compact, mounding habit rather than a cascading or upright form. The leathery, dark green leaflets are tough and do not brown as easily as more delicate fern species, making it one of the most forgiving ferns for indoor growing. Button Fern belongs to the Pteridaceae family and originates from New Zealand and Australia, growing in rocky crevices and forest margins..
Button Fern is a niche but growing favorite among Filipino fern collectors who want something different from the usual Boston or maidenhair ferns. Its compact size and tolerance of air-conditioning make it ideal for Metro Manila office desks and condo shelves. Available at specialty plant shops in Quezon City, online fern sellers on Facebook, and occasionally at weekend plant fairs. It prefers slightly cooler conditions, so it actually does better in air-conditioned Philippine interiors than in hot outdoor gardens. Filipino growers in Baguio and Tagaytay have even more success with it due to the cooler highland climate.
Also known as: Round-Leaf Fern.
Popular Varieties
- Pellaea rotundifolia (standard — small, round button-like leaflets)
- Pellaea falcata (Sickle Fern — longer, pointed leaflets)
- Pellaea atropurpurea (Purple Cliff Brake — purple-black stems, triangular fronds)
How to Plant Button Fern in the Philippines
Button Fern can be propagated through division, spores. The recommended method is division of mature clumps during repotting.
Propagation Steps
- Step 1: Unpot a mature plant during early rainy season when humidity is high.
- Step 2: Gently tease apart the root ball into 2-3 sections, each with several fronds.
- Step 3: Ensure each division has adequate roots attached.
- Step 4: Plant in a well-draining mix of peat, perlite, and fine orchid bark.
- Step 5: Keep in a warm, shaded spot and water gently — new growth emerges in 3-4 weeks.
Care Guide
Sunlight
Medium to bright indirect light. Tolerates lower light levels. Avoid direct sun which dries out the leaflets.. Position your button fern where it receives the right amount of light for healthy growth in Philippine conditions.
Water
Keep soil lightly moist but not waterlogged. Water when the top 2 cm of soil dries — about twice weekly in Metro Manila. More drought-tolerant than most ferns. Adjust frequency during the Philippine rainy season when humidity is higher and soil stays moist longer.
Temperature & Humidity
Ideal temperature range: 18-28°C (prefers the cooler side of Philippine temperatures). Does best in air-conditioned rooms or highland areas.. Moderate (40-60%). More humidity-tolerant of dry air than most ferns. Adapts well to air-conditioned indoor conditions. The warm, humid Philippine climate is well-suited for growing button fern outdoors or indoors.
Fertilizer
Light feeder. Dilute liquid fertilizer (quarter strength) once a month during growing season. Over-fertilizing burns the delicate roots.
Pruning
Remove dried or browning fronds at the base. Gently pull off dead leaflets from stems. No structural pruning needed.
Toxicity & Safety
Non-toxic to cats and dogs. A safe, pet-friendly fern for indoor spaces.
Common Problems & Solutions
Leaflets drying and dropping off
Cause: Soil too dry for too long or very low humidity
Solution: Water more consistently. While more tolerant than other ferns, it still needs regular moisture. Use a pebble tray.
Yellowing fronds
Cause: Overwatering or poor drainage causing waterlogged soil
Solution: Improve drainage. Use a lighter potting mix. Ensure pot drains freely. Let top soil dry slightly between waterings.
Slow or no new growth
Cause: Root-bound, low light, or depleted nutrients
Solution: Repot in fresh soil if root-bound. Move to brighter indirect light. Apply light fertilizer.
Scale insects on stems
Cause: Still indoor air and dark, wiry stems provide cover for scale
Solution: Inspect dark stems carefully. Scrape off scale with a soft brush. Apply neem oil to stems.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you care for Button Fern in the Philippines?
Button Fern needs medium to bright indirect light. tolerates lower light levels. avoid direct sun which dries out the leaflets.. Water keep soil lightly moist but not waterlogged. water when the top 2 cm of soil dries — about twice weekly in metro manila. more drought-tolerant than most ferns.. Feed with light feeder. dilute liquid fertilizer (quarter strength) once a month during growing season. over-fertilizing burns the delicate roots.. The Philippine climate with temperatures of 18-28°C (prefers the cooler side of Philippine temperatures). Does best in air-conditioned rooms or highland areas. works well for this plant.
How do you propagate Button Fern?
The recommended method is division of mature clumps during repotting. Unpot a mature plant during early rainy season when humidity is high. Gently tease apart the root ball into 2-3 sections, each with several fronds.
Is Button Fern toxic to pets or children?
Non-toxic to cats and dogs. A safe, pet-friendly fern for indoor spaces.
Can Button Fern grow in containers in the Philippines?
Yes, Button Fern grows well in containers and is suitable for balcony and indoor gardening in Metro Manila condos and apartments. Use a pot with drainage holes and appropriate potting mix.
What are common problems when growing Button Fern?
Common issues include: Leaflets drying and dropping off (caused by soil too dry for too long or very low humidity — water more consistently. while more tolerant than other ferns, it still needs regular moisture. use a pebble tray); Yellowing fronds (caused by overwatering or poor drainage causing waterlogged soil — improve drainage. use a lighter potting mix. ensure pot drains freely. let top soil dry slightly between waterings); Slow or no new growth (caused by root-bound, low light, or depleted nutrients — repot in fresh soil if root-bound. move to brighter indirect light. apply light fertilizer).
Growing button fern in Manila? Tag us @urbangoesgreen on TikTok and show us your garden!