The creeping button fern, Pellaea rotundifolia, is a houseplant featuring small, round, button-like leaflets that grow along slender, creeping rhizomes. Native to the forest floors of New Zealand and Australia, its compact size makes it a popular indoor plant.
Caring for Your Creeping Button Fern
Light
Creeping button ferns thrive in bright, indirect light. Place them near a north-facing window, or several feet from an east or west-facing window. Direct sunlight, especially harsh afternoon sun, can scorch leaves. Filtered light, such as through a sheer curtain, protects foliage and ensures adequate brightness.
Watering
Maintain consistent soil moisture, avoiding waterlogging. Allow the top inch or two of soil to dry slightly between waterings. Watering frequency varies by season, humidity, and pot material, often increasing in warmer months. Ensure the pot has drainage holes to prevent root rot from water accumulation.
Humidity
High humidity benefits the creeping button fern. Aim for 50% humidity or higher to prevent leaves from drying. Grouping the fern with other plants creates a localized humid microclimate. Placing the pot on a pebble tray filled with water, ensuring the pot does not sit directly in the water, provides continuous moisture evaporation.
Soil
A well-draining, airy, and slightly acidic potting mix supports healthy growth. A good blend includes peat moss or coco coir for moisture retention, perlite or orchid bark for aeration, and a general potting mix base. This combination provides drainage while holding sufficient moisture for the fern’s shallow root system.
Fertilizing
During the active growing season, spring and summer, light fertilization benefits the creeping button fern. Use a balanced liquid fertilizer diluted to half or quarter strength every two to four weeks. Avoid fertilizing during dormant fall and winter months, when growth slows. Over-fertilization can harm the fern, leading to salt buildup and root burn.
Temperature
Creeping button ferns prefer stable, moderate temperatures, ideally 65°F to 75°F (18°C to 24°C). They can tolerate slightly cooler temperatures but require protection from drafts and sudden fluctuations. Avoid placing them near cold windows, heating vents, or air conditioning units, which can cause stress.
Common Issues and Solutions
Browning or Crispy Leaves
Browning or crispy leaves indicate inadequate humidity, insufficient watering, or excessive direct sunlight. Dry air, especially in heated homes during winter, causes frond tips to dry and brown. Increasing ambient humidity through misting or using a humidifier often resolves this. Ensure the soil is consistently moist, not soggy, and move the plant from direct sun to prevent scorching.
Yellowing Leaves
Yellowing leaves signal issues like overwatering, nutrient deficiencies, or natural aging of older fronds. Overwatering is a common cause, as wet soil deprives roots of oxygen, causing stress. Allow the topsoil to dry slightly before watering again to prevent this. If older, lower leaves are yellowing, it may be natural senescence, but widespread yellowing may suggest a need for a balanced, diluted fertilizer application during the growing season.
Pests
Creeping button ferns can be affected by common houseplant pests like spider mites or mealybugs. Spider mites cause tiny webs and a speckled appearance on leaves, thriving in dry conditions. Mealybugs appear as small, white, cottony masses on stems and leaf axils. Inspect plants regularly, and if pests are found, wipe them off with a damp cloth or rubbing alcohol-dipped cotton swab. For persistent infestations, apply an insecticidal soap.
Propagating Creeping Button Ferns
Division
Propagating creeping button ferns through division is an effective method, often done when repotting. Carefully remove the fern from its pot and gently tease apart the rhizomes, ensuring each section has roots and healthy fronds. Pot these sections individually into fresh, well-draining potting mix. This method creates new plants while refreshing the parent.
Spores
Propagating creeping button ferns from spores is intricate, requiring specific conditions and patience. Ferns reproduce naturally through spores on their fronds, but this method is challenging for the average home gardener. It involves creating a sterile, humid environment for spore germination and is typically pursued by advanced plant enthusiasts.