Unusually for a fern, the button fern from New’ Zealand and Australia prefers a dry environment. Its stout, creeping rhizomes give rise to red- brown, scaly leafstalks. The low, arching, and spreading fronds are up to 1 ft. (30 cm) long, and dull dark green with pairs of glossy minutely-toothed pinnae that are round at first, becoming oval with age. The shape of this plant makes it ideal as a filler in a larger display to soften the outline.

Size: Spread 18 in. (45 cm).

Light: Indirect sunlight or partial shade.

Temperature: Normal room.

Moisture: Keep thoroughly moist.

Feeding: Give standard liquid fertilizer once a month from spring until fall.

Propagation: Divide in spring, or sow-spores.

Special needs: Reduce watering if the temperature is low’ in winter, mist daily if it rises in summer.