The Lemon Button Fern is a beautiful variety of fern whose leaves along each frond are a bright pale green and shaped like tiny round buttons! Like many ferns, this one loves moisture and will thrive somewhere humid where its soil doesn't dry out much. This is a dwarf variety- so is well-suited to a terrarium environment- and its leaves give off a lemony fragrance when crushed. Perfect for terrariums, happy in a shady bathroom or bright kitchen, these ferns are a great addition to your home and will reward your care, and a nice damp spot, with their adorable buttony foliage.
Scientific Name
Nephrolepis cordifolia 'Duffii' (kidney-scaled plant with heartlike leaves, variety: Duffy)
Synonyms include N. exaltata 'Duffy' and N. duffii
Common Name
Boston Fern, Sword Fern, Green Moment Plant
Origin
Native to tropical and subtropical areas of South & Central America and the Caribbean
Light
Likes bright, indirect light. Boston Ferns are tolerant to shade as long as they are not kept too soggy in it!
Water
Water when only the top of the soil has dried out. Water directly onto the soil, not onto the leaves- this can cause rot.
Humidity
Likes high humidity, like the bogs it has adapted to in the Americas. Introduce a humidity tray to keep the humidity high, especially while you have the hearting on.
Soil
Use a loose, well-draining but moisture-retentive mixture to allow the thin fern roots to burrow through; a mix designed for ferns is ideal, with added sand, coir and nutrients. Repot every 2-3 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
Ideal temperature is 12-26°C; make sure it does not get colder than 10°C in winter.
Pet-safe
Yes, but too much nibbling won't be good for pets, small humans or the plant!
Sprouts Top Tips
Moisture is key for Boston Ferns. Make sure the air is not too dry and the soil doesn't ever totally dry out. The water has to be in the right place, though; wet leaves or a wet crown can lead to damage and rot, so be sure to get the moisture directly into the soil.
