Golden Pothos
Epipremnum aureum
Toxic to pets
Lemon Button Fern
Nephrolepis cordifolia · Lomariopsidaceae
Easy
Pet-safe
Low-light tolerant
Nephrolepis cordifolia is a compact, tufted fern native to tropical and subtropical regions of Asia, Australia, and parts of Africa. It produces arching fronds lined with small, rounded, button-like pinnae that emit a faint lemony scent when touched, giving rise to its most popular common name. It is widely grown as a houseplant for its manageable size, tolerance of moderate neglect, and feathery, bright green foliage.
☀ Light
Bright indirect light; tolerates low light
💧 Water
Keep consistently moist; avoid waterlogging
🌡 Temp
15 to 26 degrees C
💦 Humidity
High; above 50% preferred
🌿 Soil
Well-draining, peat-free, humus-rich mix
🍽 Feeding
Balanced liquid fertiliser monthly in growing season
Photo: Forest & Kim Starr / CC BY 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
How to care for Lemon Button Fern
Light
Lemon Button Fern thrives in bright, indirect light, such as that found near a north- or east-facing window, or set back from a south- or west-facing one. Direct sunlight will scorch the delicate pinnae, causing them to yellow or turn brown at the tips. It tolerates lower light better than many ferns, making it suitable for offices or rooms with modest natural light, though growth will slow considerably in deep shade.
Watering
Water thoroughly when the top centimetre of compost begins to feel dry, allowing any excess to drain freely from the pot. The plant dislikes sitting in water, which quickly leads to root rot, but equally dislikes drying out completely, at which point fronds will rapidly desiccate and drop pinnae. Using room-temperature, low-fluoride water, such as filtered or collected rainwater, is beneficial as the plant can show sensitivity to heavily treated tap water.
Soil and potting
A free-draining, humus-rich compost suits this fern well. A suitable mix might combine two parts peat-free multipurpose compost with one part perlite and one part fine bark or coir, providing both moisture retention and adequate aeration around the roots. Avoid heavy, compacted media that remain waterlogged, as these strongly predispose the plant to fungal root problems.
Feeding
Apply a balanced, diluted liquid fertiliser at half the recommended strength once a month during spring and summer. Do not feed during autumn and winter when the plant is growing slowly. Over-fertilising causes salt build-up in the compost, which can damage roots and cause brown leaf tips; flushing the pot with plain water every couple of months during the growing season helps prevent this.
Humidity and temperature
As a tropical fern, Nephrolepis cordifolia appreciates humidity levels of at least 50%, though it is somewhat more tolerant of dry air than many other fern species. Misting the foliage, placing the pot on a tray of moist pebbles, or grouping plants together all help to maintain local humidity. The plant prefers temperatures between 15 and 26 degrees C and should be kept away from cold draughts, open windows in winter, and heat sources such as radiators, which rapidly dry the surrounding air.
Repotting
Repot in spring when roots begin to emerge from the drainage holes or the plant appears pot-bound, typically every one to two years for actively growing specimens. Move up only one pot size at a time, using fresh, free-draining compost. Nephrolepis cordifolia produces small, rounded tubers on its stolons, and these can be left intact or used for propagation at the time of repotting.
Pruning
Remove any yellowed, brown, or damaged fronds by cutting them cleanly at the base with sharp, clean scissors or secateurs. This is primarily a tidying exercise rather than a growth-management one, as the plant naturally produces new fronds continuously during the growing season. Avoid cutting back healthy green fronds, as this does not encourage bushier growth and can temporarily stress the plant.
Is Lemon Button Fern toxic?
Pets: Non-toxic. According to the ASPCA, Nephrolepis cordifolia is considered non-toxic to cats, dogs, and horses. It is one of the safer fern species to keep in households with pets.
People: Not known to be harmful to humans; considered safe for households with children, though ingestion of large amounts of any plant material is not advisable.
People: Not known to be harmful to humans; considered safe for households with children, though ingestion of large amounts of any plant material is not advisable.
Common problems
Brown, crispy leaf tips or margins
Likely cause: Low humidity, dry air, or fluoride/salt sensitivity from tap water or over-feeding Fix: Increase humidity using a pebble tray or humidifier, switch to rainwater or filtered water, flush the compost periodically, and ensure feeding is diluted to half strength.
Yellowing fronds across the plant
Likely cause: Overwatering, waterlogged compost, or insufficient light Fix: Check drainage and reduce watering frequency, ensuring the pot is not sitting in water. Move to a brighter position if light is very low, and inspect roots for rot, removing any blackened sections before repotting into fresh compost.
Rapid pinnae drop, leaving bare stems
Likely cause: Drought stress, sudden temperature change, cold draughts, or relocation shock Fix: Water promptly if the compost is dry, move the plant to a stable, draught-free position, and avoid moving it unnecessarily. The plant often recovers and produces new growth once conditions stabilise.
Small, sticky insects on fronds or frond undersides with distorted growth
Likely cause: Aphid or scale insect infestation, more common on stressed plants or those kept in warm, dry conditions Fix: Wipe leaves with a damp cloth, treat with an insecticidal soap solution or neem-based spray, and repeat every seven to ten days. Improve air circulation and humidity to reduce the conditions that favour infestations.
Fine webbing on the undersides of fronds and pale, stippled foliage
Likely cause: Red spider mite infestation, strongly associated with low humidity and warm, dry indoor conditions Fix: Raise humidity levels significantly, spray foliage with water to dislodge mites, and apply an appropriate miticide or insecticidal soap. Repeat treatments are necessary, as eggs are resistant to most sprays.
Soft, darkened stems at the base and wilting despite moist compost
Likely cause: Root rot caused by overwatering or poor drainage, typically involving Pythium or Phytophthora fungi Fix: Remove the plant from its pot, cut away all rotted roots back to healthy tissue, dust with sulphur powder or a suitable fungicide, and repot into fresh, free-draining compost. Reduce watering frequency going forward.
How to propagate
Division
At repotting time in spring, carefully separate the plant into two or more sections, ensuring each division retains a healthy portion of roots and several fronds. Pot each section individually into fresh compost and water in well, keeping humidity high until new growth appears.
Tuber separation
Nephrolepis cordifolia produces small, round tubers along its stolons, which is a distinguishing feature from related species. At repotting, these tubers can be detached and planted just beneath the surface of moist compost in small pots, where they will sprout new growth under warm, humid conditions.
Stolon layering
The plant produces runner-like stolons that spread outward from the crown. A stolon can be pinned down onto the surface of a separate pot of compost while still attached to the parent plant; once rooted, it is severed and grown on independently.
Where Lemon Button Fern comes from
Native to India, Sri Lanka, southern China, Japan, Taiwan, Southeast Asia, northern Australia, New Zealand, Hawaii, Pacific Islands.
Story and origins
The genus name Nephrolepis is derived from the Greek words 'nephros', meaning kidney, and 'lepis', meaning scale, referring to the kidney-shaped indusia (the protective flaps that cover the spore clusters on the underside of the fronds). The species epithet 'cordifolia' comes from the Latin 'cor' or 'cordis', meaning heart, and 'folium', meaning leaf, describing the heart-shaped or rounded base of the individual pinnae, which gives the plant a distinctive button-like appearance along its fronds.
Nephrolepis cordifolia was formally described by the botanist Carl Linnaeus in 1771 under the basionym Polypodium cordifolium, before later being transferred to the genus Nephrolepis by the Czech botanist Bohumi Presl in the early nineteenth century. The plant has a long history of human use in its native range; in Hawaii and parts of Polynesia, the tubers were gathered and eaten as a supplementary food, while the fronds were used in traditional garlands and decorations. Its introduction as an ornamental houseplant in Europe and North America during the Victorian fern craze of the mid to late nineteenth century brought it wide horticultural attention, and its smaller stature compared to the Boston Fern made it particularly appealing for indoor cultivation. Its subsequent escape from cultivation in several warm-climate regions has led to its classification as a problematic invasive species in a number of countries.
Varieties to know
Nephrolepis cordifolia 'Duffii'
A compact cultivar with particularly rounded, closely spaced pinnae; sometimes sold specifically as the Lemon Button Fern and is the form most commonly seen in cultivation.
Nephrolepis cordifolia 'Plumosa'
Features pinnae with slightly forked or ruffled tips, giving the fronds a more feathery, textured appearance than the straight species.
Fun facts
- The small, round tubers produced along the stolons of Nephrolepis cordifolia are edible and have been consumed as a food source in parts of New Zealand, where the species is now naturalised and considered an invasive weed.
- Unlike many fern species, Nephrolepis cordifolia reproduces vegetatively with notable efficiency via its stolons and tubers, which is one reason it has become invasive in parts of the Americas, Hawaii, and New Zealand outside its native range.
- The faint lemon scent produced when the pinnae are handled comes from aromatic compounds in the frond tissue and is particularly noticeable on warm days or when the plant is gently brushed.
- Nephrolepis cordifolia is capable of surviving periodic drought by drawing on moisture reserves stored in its underground tubers, making it more resilient to missed waterings than many other fern genera.
- The species is listed as an invasive plant in Florida, Hawaii, and New Zealand, where it colonises disturbed habitats, forest margins, and streamsides, outcompeting native vegetation.
Lemon Button Fern FAQ
Why is my Lemon Button Fern dropping lots of small leaflets?
Pinnae drop is most commonly triggered by drought stress, cold draughts, very low humidity, or the shock of being moved to a new position. Check that the compost has not dried out completely, keep the plant away from draughts and radiators, and try not to move it unnecessarily. Once stable conditions are restored, the plant usually recovers and produces fresh fronds.
How often should I water my Lemon Button Fern?
Water when the top centimetre of compost feels dry, which in average indoor conditions during summer is roughly every five to seven days, and less frequently in winter. Always water thoroughly until it drains from the base, then empty the saucer after thirty minutes to prevent the roots from sitting in water.
Is the Lemon Button Fern safe to keep around cats and dogs?
Yes. The ASPCA classifies Nephrolepis cordifolia as non-toxic to cats, dogs, and horses, making it one of the more pet-friendly fern choices for the home.
Why does my Lemon Button Fern have brown tips on the fronds?
Brown tips are most frequently caused by low humidity or sensitivity to fluoride in tap water. Try switching to rainwater or filtered water, and increase local humidity by placing the pot on a pebble tray filled with water or by using a humidifier nearby.
What are the small round bumps on the roots or stolons of my fern?
These are tubers, which are a characteristic feature of Nephrolepis cordifolia and help distinguish it from the closely related Boston Fern (Nephrolepis exaltata). They are moisture and nutrient stores that help the plant survive periods of drought, and they can also be used to propagate new plants.
Can I grow Lemon Button Fern in a bathroom?
A bathroom with a reasonable amount of natural light is an excellent location for this fern. The naturally higher humidity from showers and baths suits the plant well, provided there is enough indirect light from a window. Avoid placing it directly in front of a frosted or north-facing window with very little light, as growth will become sparse.
How do I tell the Lemon Button Fern apart from the Boston Fern?
The most obvious differences are size and leaf shape. Lemon Button Fern is considerably more compact, with shorter fronds and small, rounded, button-like pinnae that have a slightly heart-shaped base. Boston Fern fronds are longer and broader, with elongated, pointed pinnae. Lemon Button Fern also produces tubers on its stolons, which Boston Fern does not.
