Nephrolepis duffii 12cm Plants GrowTropicals
Nephrolepis duffii — 6cm
Nephrolepis duffii Plants GrowTropicals
Rare Nephrolepis

Nephrolepis duffii

£4.99 £5.99 SAVE 16%
Hard to killPet-safeAir-purifying
Pot size

FREE tracked delivery on orders over £60

Complete the set up
Fern Premium Potting Mix
The perfect soil Fern Premium Potting Mix · 2.5L · £4.99
Description

Nephrolepis duffii is a compact, charming fern with a softer, more textured look than its larger relatives. The small, button-shaped pinnae overlap along wiry stems, creating dense, feathery fronds that arch and trail as they lengthen. It works beautifully in a macrame, on a shelf edge, or tucked into a terrarium. It is easier to manage than many ferns and forgiving of the occasional missed watering.

Live Arrival Guarantee

All plants are covered by our 7-day live arrival guarantee. We pack every order in protective, sustainable packaging designed to keep your plants safe in transit, and every plant is checked before it ships. On the rare occasion something is not right on arrival, we will make it good, provided the plant is still in its original nursery pot.

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Delivery & returns

Order by 1pm Monday to Friday for same day dispatch. Every plant travels in protective, plant-safe packaging with tracked delivery.

Changed your mind? See our Return Policy.

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How to care for Nephrolepis duffii

Set me near a bright window, out of direct sun and water me little and often so I stay evenly moist.

In their words

What our customers say

Arrived just like the photos - maybe even fuller. Healthy, well-acclimated, and straight into my collection with no issues.

Emily P.

Flawless leaves, stunning variegation, and clearly cared for by experts. It’s already a talking point in my home office.

James R.

Hard to find rare plants that are pet-safe. Ours arrived in perfect condition and looks amazing without any worry.

Sophie L.
Get to know me

About Nephrolepis duffii

Nephrolepis duffii is an easy-care houseplant. It needs bright indirect light, watering often enough to keep the compost evenly moist, a little extra humidity and a minimum temperature of 10°C. It is listed as non-toxic to cats and dogs.

Good for

Living Room Kitchen Bathroom

Care level

EasyChallenge

Easy care

Light

ShadeFull sun

Bright, indirect light

This plant grows best in bright, indirect light or dappled shade. Keep it away from direct sun, which can scorch its delicate leaves. For healthy growth and vibrant foliage, place it near a north-facing or east-facing window where it will receive plenty of filtered light. Read moreShow less

This plant grows best in bright, indirect light or dappled shade. Keep it away from direct sun, which can scorch its delicate leaves. For healthy growth and vibrant foliage, place it near a north-facing or east-facing window where it will receive plenty of filtered light.

Learn more →

Watering

Evenly moistDries out fully

Keep evenly moist

Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Water your plant when the top layer of soil feels slightly dry, and always ensure the pot has good drainage. Avoid soggy soil or standing water, and do not let the plant dry out completely, as steady moisture is essential for healthy growth. Read moreShow less

Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Water your plant when the top layer of soil feels slightly dry, and always ensure the pot has good drainage. Avoid soggy soil or standing water, and do not let the plant dry out completely, as steady moisture is essential for healthy growth.

Humidity

Average homeHigh humidity

Prefers a little extra humidity

This plant thrives in high humidity and benefits from a consistently humid environment. Good humidity levels help support healthy growth and keep the foliage healthy. To increase humidity, use a humidifier or place the plant in a naturally humid room like a bathroom or kitchen. Plant cabinets, grow tents, and terrariums can also help create stable humidity for tropical houseplants, especially in drier homes. When using enclosed growing spaces, ensure there is adequate airflow to prevent excess moisture build-up. Adding sphagnum moss around the stem can also help hold moisture and improve growing conditions. Read moreShow less

This plant thrives in high humidity and benefits from a consistently humid environment. Good humidity levels help support healthy growth and keep the foliage healthy. To increase humidity, use a humidifier or place the plant in a naturally humid room like a bathroom or kitchen. Plant cabinets, grow tents, and terrariums can also help create stable humidity for tropical houseplants, especially in drier homes. When using enclosed growing spaces, ensure there is adequate airflow to prevent excess moisture build-up. Adding sphagnum moss around the stem can also help hold moisture and improve growing conditions.

Learn more →

Temperature

Keep above 10°C · Happy at normal room temperature

This plant grows best in warm temperatures between 18°C and 26°C. Keep it away from cold draughts and avoid temperatures below 15°C, as cooler conditions can stress the plant and affect healthy growth. Read moreShow less

This plant grows best in warm temperatures between 18°C and 26°C. Keep it away from cold draughts and avoid temperatures below 15°C, as cooler conditions can stress the plant and affect healthy growth.

Feeding

Feed monthly with a balanced fertiliser from spring to autumn, and let it rest over winter.

Soil & Substrate

Our Fern Premium Potting Mix is peat-free and specifically formulated for ferns, with a blend that balances moisture retention and drainage. Keep the substrate consistently moist but not waterlogged. Medium to bright indirect light suits it best, though it tolerates lower light levels better than many houseplants.

Growth habit

Clumping →Bushy →

Plant type

Fern →

Toxicity

Listed as non-toxic to cats and dogs. Plants still are not food, so a determined chewer may get an upset stomach.

Origins

Nephrolepis duffii is found across tropical regions of Australasia and the Pacific Islands, growing in warm, humid, shaded environments on the forest floor and along rocky outcrops.

Genus

Nephrolepis →
More on caring for houseplants What does bright indirect light mean? Should I mist my houseplants?
Good to know

Frequently Asked Questions

Can this plant grow in a terrarium?

Yes, an enclosed environment provides the consistent humidity and warmth they enjoy in the wild. Before choosing a plant, consider the size of your terrarium and how large the species will grow at maturity. Avoid fast-growing climbers or plants that need strong airflow, as these can quickly outgrow or struggle in a sealed setup. If you are unsure whether a specific plant suits your terrarium, feel free to get in touch and we will be happy to advise.

Does my plant come with a pot?
Your plant will arrive in its nursery grow pot — the plastic pot it's been growing in. We don't include a decorative pot as standard, and there's a good reason for that: it means you get to choose one that fits your space and style, rather than being stuck with something that doesn't suit your home.

It also means you're not paying extra for a pot you might not want. The nursery pot is perfectly fine to keep your plant in for a while, just pop it inside a decorative cover pot or cache pot and you're good to go. When you're ready to repot (usually after a growing season or when roots start poking out the bottom), you can move it into something more permanent with fresh soil.

If you're not sure what size cover pot to go for, check the pot selector tool listed above, you'll want a decorative pot that's a centimetre or two wider than that to give it a comfortable fit.
How big will my plant be when it arrives?
Every plant on our site includes the pot size (e.g. 12cm) and, where possible, an approximate height. That's the most reliable way to set your expectations, photos can sometimes make a plant look larger or smaller than it really is.

If you're thinking "that sounds quite small for the price," here's something worth knowing: younger, smaller plants almost always adapt better to your home than larger ones. They adjust faster to your light and humidity, put out new growth more quickly, and tend to establish stronger root systems long-term. A plant that grows into your space will usually outperform one that was already big when it arrived.

That said, every plant is an individual. The one you receive may vary slightly in height, shape, or fullness compared to the photo, that's the nature of living things, not a quality issue. We select healthy, well-established specimens, and if you ever feel your plant doesn't match what you were expecting, just get in touch and we'll take a look.
What makes your plants different from the supermarket or garden centre?
There's a big difference between a plant that's been sitting under on a retail shelf and one that's been looked after and cared for by people who specialise in exactly this.

Our plants are grown in house or sourced from specialist nurseries, many of them varieties you simply won't find at your local garden centre or supermarket. Before anything leaves us, it's checked over by our horticultural team to make sure it's healthy, well-rooted, and ready to thrive in your home. We're not shifting volume off a pallet, we're choosing plants we'd want to keep ourselves.

When you buy from a supermarket, you get a plant and a generic care label. When you buy from us, you get the knowledge that comes with it, detailed care guidance, a team you can actually contact if something isn't going right, and the confidence that what's arriving has been looked after properly from the moment it was grown to the moment it reaches your door.

We're a specialist nursery first, not a retailer that happens to sell plants. That's the difference, and you'll see it the moment you open the box.
What should I do when my plant arrives?
First things first, unbox it as soon as you can. Plants don't love being in dark boxes any more than you would, and the sooner yours is out and breathing, the better.

Remove all the packaging carefully, give the soil a check with your finger, and water lightly if it feels dry. Then find it a spot with appropriate light, but avoid putting it straight into harsh direct sun or next to a radiator. Think of it like arriving somewhere new after a long journey: it needs a moment to adjust.

It's completely normal for your plant to look a little tired or droopy after transit. This is called transit stress, and most plants bounce back within a week or two. You might see a yellow leaf or some drooping, don't panic, and resist the urge to overwater or start repotting straight away.

Our advice for the first couple of weeks: leave it in its nursery pot, water it only when the top layer of soil feels dry, and let it acclimatise to your home's light, temperature, and humidity. Once it's settled in and showing signs of new growth, you can think about repotting or moving it to its permanent spot.

Every plant we sell comes with a care guide on the product page so you'll know exactly what it needs going forward. And if anything doesn't look right, get in touch with our team, we're always happy to help.
Will my plant survive being shipped?
Yes! and we go to serious lengths to make sure of it. Every plant is hand-packed by our team with protective wrapping and secure, custom-designed boxes to keep it stable and safe in transit. We've shipped hundreds of thousands of plants across the UK and our packaging methods have been refined over years to handle the bumps and jolts of delivery.

During colder months, we monitor weather forecasts and offer heat packs where needed to protect against frost. In extreme conditions, we may hold your order for a day or two rather than risk sending it out, we'd rather you wait an extra day than receive a stressed plant.

That said, plants are living things, and the occasional transit wobble can happen. If your plant arrives damaged or isn't in the condition you'd expect, just get in touch within 48 hours with a photo, and we'll make it right, whether that's a replacement or a full refund. No fuss.

The short version: we treat every box like it's going to someone who really cares about what's inside, because it is.
Meet the family

Everything about Nephrolepis

Boston ferns are among the most forgiving ferns for UK homes, but they need consistent moisture and higher humidity than most people provide. This guide covers everything from watering and soil to tackling brown frond tips.

More about Nephrolepis care
Nephrolepis Care Guide
Why Grow Tropicals

Plants delivered the way they deserve

Packaged with Care

Packaged with Care

Every order is hand-packed in eco-friendly, protective packaging - refined through thousands of deliveries to ensure your plant arrives healthy, hydrated, and looking its best.

Backed by our Live Arrival Guarantee.

Perfect for Gifting

Perfect for Gifting

From rare collector’s pieces to easy-care favourites, our plants arrive fully potted and ready to enjoy. Add a personalised note at checkout for a thoughtful finishing touch.

Delivered fresh, beautiful, and gift-ready.

Sustainability at Heart

Sustainability at Heart

All plants are ethically sourced from trusted growers, never wild-collected. Every order ships carbon-neutral in minimal-waste packaging.

Good for your home - and the planet.

Verified reviews

Rated by real customers

This fern receives outstanding feedback with customers praising its health and quality. Shoppers consistently note "arrived in great condition" and "well packaged." The plant is described as "beautiful," "healthy," and a "great size." Many report fast delivery and excellent value. One customer noted it "doubled in size" after arrival. All reviews are 5-star except one 4-star rating.

  • It's the one you pick in a shop when you are looking for the best one.
  • It's in perfect condition and great quality.
  • Cute little fern, since I've got her, she has doubled in size.
  • 5 stars: 34 (97%)
  • 4 stars: 1 (3%)
  • 3 stars: 0 (0%)
  • 2 stars: 0 (0%)
  • 1 star: 0 (0%)
T
Terry (United Kingdom)

Arrived in brilliant condition and wrapped really well I really can’t fault the company speedy delivery too. Since receiving I’ve put another order in

Terry review photo
L
Lucifer m.
Cute and pint sized

Fab quality, well packaged, and looks in great condition. Love the deep green it has and can’t wait to grow with me and the collection.

Lucifer m. review photo
D
Diana B.
Beautiful

Tiny fern in great condition

Diana B. review photo
J
Jon
Lovely plant

Well packaged, arrived safely and settling in well!

Jon review photo
M
Marta (United Kingdom)
6cm

"Box standard" fern if you ask me😂

L
L.w.

Grate quality and value with fast delivery... Thanks

D
Dan

Lovely looking plant, and everything packaged really well , highly recommend will order again in the near future

E
Emma C.
Cute little fern

It’s so cute and I absolutely love it. I have a thing about ferns and this is a beautiful addition to my big plant collection. It came well packaged and no damage when it arrived. It’s in perfect condition and great quality.

G
Gary

Plant was delivered in great condition, would 100% recommend

G
Gary

Plant was delivered in great condition, would 100% recommend

L
Lorri B.
Beautifully healthy fern! :herb: Lovely

Beautifully healthy fern! :herb:

Lovely plant arrived well packaged in great condition would happily purchase again totally recommend :herb:

K
Kelly S.
Healthy baby plants

Super impressed with this little fern, came well packaged amongst other plants. Can’t wait to see it grow. Will be definitely ordering again soon. Thanks guys and girls for some Dave baby plants :grin:

H
Hollie T.
The plant is so healthy

The plant is so healthy and happy. It's the one you pick in a shop when you are looking for the best one. Although this plant is in much better condition and health than any of my local garden centres and a great size

D
Dawn M.
Looks healthy, a reasonable size

Looks healthy, a reasonable size and the fern is as expected.

V
Vicky

Beautiful plant and packaged very well so it arrived in perfect condition. So pleased and I will definitely be ordering again!

V
Vicky

Beautiful plant and packaged very well so it arrived in perfect condition. So pleased and I will definitely be ordering again!

N
Nikki C.
Arrived in great condition. Thank

Arrived in great condition. Thank you

J
Julie

Little chap arrived in perfect condition

J
Julie

Little chap arrived in perfect condition

S
Sally F.
Teranium

Looks great in the teranium

E
Elisa O.
Beautiful plants

The fern was beautiful and healthy. Really pleased with how it was shipped, perfectly packed

S
Sterling C.
Great quality

Plant arrived well packed. Great quality and very healthy.

L
Libby

Beautiful plant

L
Libby

Beautiful plant

K
Katarzyna P.
Cute little fern, since I've

Cute little fern, since I've got her, she has doubled in size.

J
Jenny B.
Love a Fern

Beautiful little fern. I repotted it already as it was a good size. It looks really happy and healthy. It arrived well packaged and really quickly

K
Katie
Arrived in really good condition

Arrived in really good condition and it already seems to be growing in its new home!

P
Pawel

Nice size, beautiful, healthy and in great condition plant!

P
Pawel

Nice size, beautiful, healthy and in great condition plant!

S
STEVEN F.
Cute little baby fern

Cute little baby fern

C
Conrad W.
Great little plant

Arrived very healthy, small but very pretty, good value too

J
Julie L.
Lovely healthy plant.

Lovely healthy plant.

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Nephrolepis duffii
£4.99 £5.99