Unlike its feathery cousins, the Button Fern (Pellaea rotundifolia) trails neat, arching fronds lined with small, round, leathery leaflets in deep forest green. Native to New Zealand and Australia, where it grows in rocky crevices rather than boggy ground, it is one of the more resilient ferns, with waxy, slightly stiff foliage that copes far better with indoor life than most. Also known as the New Zealand Cliff Brake, it stays low and tidy, arching gently rather than exploding into a fountain.

Its compact, architectural shape makes it lovely on a desk, shelf or grouped with other plants, and it is a natural choice for a terrarium or bottle garden. A calm, easy-going fern that earns its keep.

Care at a glance

Light: Bright, indirect light or partial shade. Avoid direct sun, which can scorch the delicate leaflets.

Water: Keep the soil evenly moist but never soggy, letting the very top just dry between waterings. It tolerates a little more dryness than fussier ferns.

Humidity: Enjoys moderate to higher humidity. A pebble tray or the occasional mist keeps the fronds looking their best.

Temperature: Comfortable in normal room temperatures, kept away from cold draughts.

Pet note: Considered non-toxic, so a good choice for homes with pets and children.

Supplied in a 12cm nursery pot. As a living plant, size and form vary from one to the next, so yours will be one of a kind.