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.
Your quick reference for choosing the right plant size. We group our plants by the diameter of their nursery pots which gives you a consistent way to understand scale.
5–8cm
Mini
Small but full of charm. These compact plants are perfect for desks, windowsills, and small shelves, or for building out a collection over time. Ideal if you enjoy watching your plants grow from the beginning. Approx. height: 10–20cm
9–11cm
Small
A step up in presence, great for side tables, shelves, or styling in clusters. Easy to move around and perfect for adding greenery without taking up too much space. Approx. height: 25–35cm
12–14cm
Medium
Our most versatile size. Works beautifully on shelves, desks, and plant stands, offering a fuller look without dominating a space. A great balance between impact and flexibility. Approx. height: 25–50cm
15–18cm
Large
More established plants with fuller foliage and stronger structure. Ideal for creating soft focal points in a room. Great for corners, beside furniture, or as standalone features. Approx. height: 40–70cm
19+cm
Extra Large
Big, impactful plants designed for floors and open spaces. These are your statement pieces and are perfect for anchoring a room or transforming a corner with instant greenery. Approx. height: 60cm–1.3m
Pots that fit this plant
We recommend
How to care for Lemon Button Fern
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
EP
Emily P.
Arrived just like the photos - maybe even fuller. Healthy, well-acclimated, and straight into my collection with no issues.
JR
James R.
Flawless leaves, stunning variegation, and clearly cared for by experts. It’s already a talking point in my home office.
SL
Sophie L.
Hard to find rare plants that are pet-safe. Ours arrived in perfect condition and looks amazing without any worry.
Get to know me
About Lemon Button Fern
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Is this plant safe for my pets?
Yes. This plant is listed as non-toxic to cats and dogs, so it's a good choice for homes with pets. Even so, plants aren't food, so a keen chewer could still get an upset stomach. If you're worried, speak to your vet.
We aim to avoid using pesticides where possible, but we can't control the whole supply chain.
If the plant is going into a vivarium, terrarium or aquarium with live animals, rinse the leaves and roots well, remove any soil and let the plant dry out before adding it. We'd also suggest keeping it away from animals for a month first.
Can I see a photo of the exact plant I'll receive?
We're not able to send photos of individual plants or let you choose a specific one, as plants are selected by our team when your order is packed. Our photos show the variety and the kind of plant you can expect, and yours may vary a little in height, shape or fullness.
If a size has a code next to it, such as 9cm / B2, you're buying the exact plant pictured.
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 7 days 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.
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.
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
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
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 universal praise from customers who describe it as "healthy," "beautiful," and excellent value. Shoppers consistently highlight the superior packaging, with plants arriving in "perfect condition." Many note the fern is small but thriving, with one customer reporting it "doubled in size." The deep green color and overall quality exceed local garden centers.
The plant is so healthy and happy. It's the one you pick in a shop when looking for the best one.
It came well packaged and no damage when it arrived. 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
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.
D
Diana B.
Beautiful
Tiny fern in great condition
J
Jon
Lovely plant
Well packaged, arrived safely and settling in well!
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
