Lemon Button Fern

Lemon Button Fern

Nephrolepis cordifolia ‘Duffii’ – Lemon Button Fern 🍋🌿

Nephrolepis cordifolia ‘Duffii’, commonly known as the Lemon Button Fern, is a compact, low-maintenance fern with tiny, round, button-like leaflets on delicate arching fronds. It is a dwarf variety of the Boston Fern family, making it perfect for small spaces, terrariums, hanging baskets, and indoor gardens. Its slight lemony fragrance when crushed adds to its charm!

🌱 General Information:

• Family: Nephrolepidaceae
• Genus: Nephrolepis
• Common Names: Lemon Button Fern, Duffii Fern, Little Button Sword Fern
• Native Region: Southeast Asia, Australia, and tropical regions worldwide
• Growth Habit: Small evergreen fern, clump-forming and arching

🌞 Growing Conditions:

• Light: Prefers indirect light to partial shade; tolerates low light
• Soil: Moist, well-draining, rich, humus-filled soil (peat-based or loamy)
• Watering:
  • Keep soil consistently moist but not soggy
  • Water less in winter when growth slows
• Temperature:
  • Prefers  18–24°C
• Humidity:
  • Loves high humidity; thrives in bathrooms, terrariums, or with misting

🌿 Foliage & Growth:

• Fronds:
  • Small, round, button-like leaflets along thin, arching stems
  • Lush, soft, feathery texture
• Size:
  • Grows 30–45 cm (12–18 inches) tall & wide
  • Compact and slow-growing, ideal for small spaces

✂️ Care & Maintenance:

• Pruning:
  • Trim old, yellow, or damaged fronds to encourage fresh growth
  • Remove brown leaf tips caused by dry air
• Fertilizing:
  • Use a diluted balanced liquid fertilizer every 4–6 weeks during spring & summer
• Pests/Diseases:
  • Generally pest-resistant but may get fungal spots in overly damp conditions
  • Keep away from drafts and heaters to prevent drying out
• Propagation:
  • Best propagated by division of root clumps in spring
  • Produces small tubers, which can be planted to grow new ferns

🏡 Uses & Benefits:

✅ Indoor Houseplant: Thrives in low-light areas like bedrooms & bathrooms
✅ Terrariums & Fairy Gardens: Small size makes it perfect for enclosed humid spaces
✅ Pet-Friendly: Non-toxic to cats & dogs (safe for pet owners!)
✅ Air Purifier: Helps remove toxins & increase oxygen indoors
✅ Hanging Baskets & Containers: Looks beautiful trailing over edges

🌟 Pro Tip:
For lush growth, place it in a humid spot, mist occasionally, and use filtered water if your tap water is high in chlorine!