Pellaea rotundifolia

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button fern

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Other common names

New Zealand cliff brake, round-leaved fern, tarawera

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A compact, evergreen fern forming a nearly flat rosette of pinnate fronds to 25cm long, composed of rounded, deep green leaflets borne on dark brown, pink-scaled stems. An ideal plant for terrariums and bottle gardens

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.1-0.5 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
2–5 years
Max Spread
0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height
0.1-0.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Loam Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid

Position

Full sun Partial shade
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing or East–facing
Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

  • H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
  • H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
  • H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
  • H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
  • H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
  • H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
  • H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
  • H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
  • H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)
H2

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Pteridaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Bushy
Genus
Pellaea can be evergreen or deciduous, tufted ferns with pinnate to tripinnate fronds
Name Status
Correct
Plant Range
New Zealand

How to Grow

Cultivation

Requires a moderately fertile, ericaceous, moist but well-drained soil in full sun with protection from hot midday sun, or partial shade. In frost prone areas protect the crown with a dry winter mulch. An ideal plant for terrariums and bottle gardens. See how to grow ferns as houseplants for further advice

Propagation

Propagate by spores sown at 13-18°C when ripe

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Patio and container plants

Pruning

No pruning required. Remove old leaves as they die down for the winter

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free