Pellaea rotundifolia - Button Fern

This creeping fern is an ideal addition to your terrarium or other high-humidity environment. Its regularly round, mid-green leaves are eyecatching in many situations and look fantastic against a backdrop of glass, other plants or your bathroom windowsill. They are also slightly textured, and a closer look will reward you with an insight into the inner workings of the plant with its raised veins. Each hardy stem will grow upwards and outwards; if you find the perfect position in your home for this plant it will spread its fronds and show off to best advantage. Make sure this plant has plenty of moisture and humidity, and it will reward you by throwing out plenty of stems of lush greenery.

Scientific Name
Hemionitis rotundifolia (mule plant with rounded leaves)

Synonyms: Allosorus rotundifolius, Platyloma rotundifolia, Pteris rotundifolia, Pellaea rotundifolia

This plant has been identified under several Genera, the earliest the Pteris genus in 1753. It was known from 1858 as Pellaea rotundifolia, but in 2018 a publication identified it as part of the Hemionitis genus. Kew Gardens now recognises Hemionitis rotundifolia as the correct scientific name.

Common Name(s)
Button Fern, New Zealand Cliff Brake, Round-Leaved Fern

Origin
Native to New Zealand, Australia and Norfolk Island, usually growing in cliffs, rocky crevices and moist forests.

Light
Prefers bright, indirect light but can tolerate lower light levels. Avoid direct sunlight, which can scorch its leaves.

Water
Keep the soil evenly moist, but not waterlogged. Let the top of the soil dry out before watering again. Reduce watering slightly in winter when the plant’s growth slows.

Humidity
This plant is more tolerant of average humidity than many other ferns; it will still do best in a higher-humidity setting like a kitchen or bathroom but should adapt well to your home's air moisture level as long as it's not by a radiator or in a draught.

Soil
Prefers a rich, well-draining potting mix. A mix designed for ferns or one made up of coir, perlite and sand will work well here. Repot every few years in spring as the plant grows.

Food
Feed every four waters in the growing season, reduce to every six in autumn and winter.

Temperature
Prefers temperatures between 15-26°C. Avoid exposure to temperatures below 12°C or cold draughts.

Pet-safe
Yes, non-toxic to pets and children.

Sprouts Top Tips
Leaf colour can be a good indicator if the plant is unhappy with the amount of water it's getting - yellow leaves can indicate either too much or too little water, so make sure you check the soil to see whether it is dry or super soggy if you think watering has caused the issue.