Lemon button fern guide
Nephrolepis cordifolia 'Duffii', also called Duffii fern, button fern, lemon fern
Published 2026-11-08
Quick care
- Light
- Bright indirect
- Water
- Keep the soil moist, never soggy
- Humidity
- Average room air is fine. More keeps it full.
- Temperature
- 16 to 24°C (60 to 75°F). Keep above 10°C (50°F).
- Soil
- Rich, peat or coir-based potting mix
- Feeding
- Half-strength fertilizer monthly in spring and summer
- Pets
- Non-toxic to cats and dogs
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Mature size
- 30 cm (12 in) tall and wide
- Propagation
- Divide the clump, or pot up runners
- Where to buy
- Common
This page covers what makes lemon button fern different. For light, water, soil, pests, and the rest, read the Boston fern care guide.
What it is
Lemon button fern is a small cousin of the Boston fern. It is a form of Nephrolepis cordifolia, a different species. The fronds are short and upright, lined with tiny, round leaflets like buttons. Crushed fronds can have a faint lemon scent. It stays about 30 cm (12 in) tall.
How to tell it apart
| Plant | Fronds | The tell |
|---|---|---|
| Lemon button fern | Short, tiny round leaflets | Button-shaped leaflets |
| Boston fern | Long, arching, pointed leaflets | Much longer fronds |
| Rabbit’s foot fern | Lacy, with furry rhizomes | Furry feet on top of the soil |
Button fern, Pellaea rotundifolia, also has round leaflets. Its leaflets are farther apart, on dark wiry stems.
Care differences
Lemon button fern handles drier air better than Boston fern. It is a good fern for a dry house. Keep the soil moist, never soggy.
Grow it by division
Divide the clump in spring. It also sends out runners that root on their own.
Pet safety
The ASPCA lists Duffii fern as non-toxic to cats and dogs.
Buying it
Lemon button fern is common at garden centers, often in small pots. Look for full, green fronds with no brown center.