Button Ferns, Lemon Button Ferns, Blue Star Ferns, Crocodile Ferns, and Maidenhair Ferns are ideal small indoor ferns that can easily match any tropical décor. Any above fern has its unique features and characteristics from air purification to a pleasant scent. Keep reading to show you how to pick the best for your indoor décor.
Hi, I’m a horticulture consultant and want to share my experiences and knowledge about 5 best small indoor ferns in this post. I will give you Pro tips for caring for these small ferns indoors along with points to identify them. You also will find where is the best place in your house for putting them, it is an important tip to design a lasting décor.
If you are ready, let’s get going.
Best Small Indoor Ferns that You Will Love Them
First, let’s start with one of the popular ones, Button Ferns. You will find more in the following including Lemon Button Ferns, Blue Star Ferns, Crocodile Ferns, and Maidenhair Ferns.
Button Ferns: Low Maintenance Some Small Indoor Ferns
Scientific Name: Pellaea rotundifolia
This fern has tiny, round fronds that resemble buttons, hence the name. It grows to only about 6 inches tall and wide, making it a perfect choice for a terrarium or small pot. Incredibly compact, this fern stays tiny! It typically reaches only 6 inches tall and wide.
Why You Must Add a Button Fern to Your Indoor Tropical Décor?
- Perfect for small spaces: Incredibly compact, it thrives in terrariums or small pots, adding a touch of greenery without demanding a lot of room.
- Low maintenance: Relatively easy to care for with its tolerance for some drying out between waterings.
- Delicate charm: The tiny, round fronds and rosette shape bring a touch of elegance to your space.
How to Identify Button Ferns (small indoor ferns)?
- Fronds: Tiny, round, and deep green, resembling buttons (hence the name).
- Stems: Thin and dark reddish-brown, contrasting nicely with the green fronds.
- Size: Incredibly compact, typically only reaching 6 inches tall and wide.
- Overall look: Delicate and charming, with a rosette-like shape formed by the arching fronds.
Pro Tips for Caring for Button Fern
- Light: Prefers bright, indirect light. Avoid direct sun which can scorch the fronds.
- Water: Likes consistently moist soil, but don’t let it get soggy. Allow the top inch of soil to dry out slightly between waterings.
- Humidity: Thrives in moderate to high humidity. Misting regularly or using a pebble tray with water can help.
- Temperature: Prefers warm temperatures between 60-75°F (16-24°C). Avoid cold drafts.
- Soil: Well-draining potting mix with good aeration. A mixture of peat moss and perlite is a good option.
- Fertilizer: Apply a diluted balanced houseplant fertilizer monthly during spring and summer.
Best place at Your House for Button Fern
Thrive in bright, indirect light. A north-facing window or a spot a few feet away from an east or west-facing window would be perfect. They can also tolerate bathroom shelves with indirect light if there’s decent ventilation.
Lemon Button Ferns: Small Indoor ferns with a Unique citrus scent
Scientific Name: Nephrolepis cordifolia ‘Duffii’
This fern is similar to the button fern, but its fronds are a brighter green and have a slightly lemon scent. It also grows to only about 6 inches tall and wide.
Why You Must Add a Lemon Button Fern to Your Indoor Tropical Decor
- Great for beginners: Similar to the Button Fern, it’s easy to care for and forgiving of minor neglect.
- Compact and cute: Maintains a small size, perfect for desks, shelves, or terrariums.
- Unique citrus scent: The crushed fronds release a faint lemony fragrance, adding a subtle sensory element.
- Not Toxic Plant for Cats
How to Identify Lemon Button Ferns (small indoor ferns)?
Matching its compact cousin, the Lemon Button Fern also stays small at 6 inches tall and wide.
- Fronds: Similar to the Button Fern but slightly larger and a brighter green.
- Unique feature: A faint lemon scent when the fronds are crushed (though best not to try this!).
- Size: Equally compact, reaching only about 6 inches tall and wide.
- Overall look: Similar to the Button Fern but with a brighter color and a touch of citrusy fragrance.
Pro Tips for Caring for Lemon Button Fern
Very similar to the Button Fern. Enjoys bright, indirect light, consistently moist soil (not soggy), moderate to high humidity, warm temperatures, well-draining potting mix, and monthly fertilization during spring and summer.
Blue Star Fern: A Small Indoor Fern with an Eye-catching appearance
Scientific Name: Phlebodium Aureum
This fern has ruffled, blue-green fronds that grow in a rosette shape. It typically only reaches 6 to 8 inches tall and wide.
A bit larger than the button ferns, the Blue Star Fern reaches 6 to 8 inches tall and wide.
Why You Must Add a Blue Star Fern to Your Indoor Tropical Décor?
- Eye-catching appearance: The ruffled blue-green fronds in a rosette shape offer a unique and whimsical look.
- Adaptable: Can tolerate lower light conditions compared to some ferns.
- Air purifier: Like many ferns, it helps remove toxins from the indoor air.
How to Identify Blue Star Ferns (small indoor ferns)?
- Fronds: Unique and ruffled, with a blue-green tint that gives it a starry appearance.
- Growth pattern: Forms a rosette shape with the fronds radiating outwards.
- Size: A bit larger than the button ferns, reaching 6 to 8 inches tall and wide.
- Overall look: Eye-catching with its unusual color and ruffled texture, adding a touch of whimsy to your space.
Pro Tips for Caring for Blue Star Fern
- Light: Prefers bright, indirect light. Can tolerate lower light conditions (low light plant)but may not grow as vigorously.
- Water: Similar to the button ferns, keep the soil moist but not soggy. Allow the top inch of soil to dry out slightly between waterings.
- Humidity: Appreciates moderate to high humidity. Misting regularly or using a pebble tray can help.
- Temperature: Prefers warm temperatures, ideally between 60-75°F (16-24°C). Avoid cold drafts.
- Soil: Well-draining potting mix with good orchid bark content for aeration.
- Fertilizer: Apply a diluted balanced houseplant fertilizer monthly during spring and summer.
Best place at Your House for Blue Star Fern
Adapts to bright, indirect light but can also tolerate lower light conditions. An east-facing window or a spot further back in a brightly lit room would work well. Avoid south-facing windows with harsh afternoon sun.
Crocodile Ferns: Manageable Small Indoor Ferns
Scientific Name: Davallia fejeensis
This fern has unique, leathery fronds with a crocodile skin texture. It grows to about 12 inches tall and wide.
This fern pushes the boundaries of “small” but is still manageable indoors, growing to about 12 inches tall and wide.
Why You Must Add a Crocodile Fern to Your Indoor Tropical Décor?
- Conversation starter: The unusual, leathery fronds with a crocodile skin texture and creeping rhizomes create a truly unique look.
- Manageable indoors: While a bit larger than the button ferns, it stays compact enough for most homes.
- Tolerates some drying out: A bit more forgiving than some ferns when it comes to watering needs.
How to Identify Crocodile Ferns (small indoor ferns)?
- Fronds: Leathery and unlike other ferns, with a distinct crocodile skin texture.
- Rhizomes: These underground stems are fuzzy and often creep above the soil, adding another textural element. (Rhizomes are modified stems that some plants use for storage and growth.)
- Size: This fern pushes the boundaries of “small” but is still manageable indoors, growing to about 12 inches tall and wide.
- Overall look: Distinctive and prehistoric-looking with its textured fronds and creeping rhizomes.
Best Place at Your House for Crocodile Fern
Prefers medium, indirect light. An east-facing window or a brightly lit room away from direct sunlight is ideal. South-facing windows might be too harsh.
Pro Tips for Caring for Crocodile Fern
- Light: Prefers medium, indirect light. Avoid direct sun which can scorch the fronds.
- Water: Unlike other ferns, the Crocodile Fern can tolerate slightly drier soil. However, don’t let it dry out completely. Water when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch.
- Humidity: Benefits from moderate to high humidity, especially if the air is dry. Misting regularly or using a pebble tray can help.
- Temperature: Enjoys warm temperatures, ideally between 60-75°F (16-24°C). Avoid cold drafts.
- Soil: Well-draining, loose potting mix with good aeration. Aroid mix or orchid bark mix is a good option.
- Fertilizer: Apply a diluted balanced houseplant fertilizer monthly during spring and summer. You can also mist the fern with a weak fertilizer solution occasionally.
Maidenhair Ferns: Small Indoor Ferns for Purifying the Atmosphere of your House
Scientific Name: Adiantum spp.
There are many different varieties of maidenhair ferns, but most are relatively small. They have delicate, fan-shaped fronds that can be green, red, or even black.
Maidenhair Ferns come in a range of sizes, but most suitable for indoor spaces stay relatively small. Expect them to reach 6 to 12 inches tall, with some varieties staying even more compact.
Why You Must Add a Maidenhair Fern to Your Indoor Tropical Décor?
- Delicate and graceful: The feathery fronds add a touch of elegance and lightness to your indoor space.
- Variety of colors: Choose from classic green or go for a bolder statement with red or black varieties (depending on the specific species).
- Air purifier: Like other ferns, it helps improve indoor air quality.
How to Identify Maidenhair Ferns (Small Indoor Ferns)?
- Fronds: Delicate and fan-shaped, with very fine leaflets that resemble maidenhair (hence the name).
- Color: Green is the most common, but some varieties can be red or even black.
- Size: Maidenhair Ferns come in a range of sizes, but those suited for indoor spaces typically stay relatively small, reaching 6 to 12 inches tall. Some varieties can be even more compact.
- Overall look: Elegant and airy, with a feathery texture that brings a touch of lightness to your indoor space.
Pro Tips for Caring for Maidenhair Fern
- Light: Prefers bright, indirect light. Avoid direct sun which can scorch the fronds. Some varieties can tolerate lower light conditions.
- Water: Loves consistently moist soil, but don’t let it get soggy. Aim for even moisture throughout the root zone.
- Humidity: Thrives in high humidity. Misting regularly, using a pebble tray, or a humidifier are all recommended.
- Temperature: Prefers warm temperatures, ideally between 60-75°F (16-24°C). Avoid cold drafts.
- Soil: Well-draining, loose potting mix with good aeration. A mixture of peat moss, perlite, and some potting soil works well.
- Fertilizer: Apply a diluted balanced liquid houseplant fertilizer monthly during spring and summer.
Best place at Your House for Maidenhair Fern
Maidenhair Fern (Adiantum spp) tends to be a bit trickier with placement. Ideally, bright, indirect light with high humidity. A north-facing window with a humidifier nearby or a bathroom with good air circulation could work. Avoid placing them directly in front of air vents or drafty areas.
Tips For Placement of Small Indoor Ferns
- Group ferns together: Ferns naturally create humidity for each other, so consider grouping them, especially if your home is on the drier side.
- Rotate your plants: To encourage even growth, rotate your ferns every week or so to ensure all sides receive equal light.
- Watch for signs: If the fronds start to brown or crisp, it might be getting too much direct sun. If they turn yellow and lose their vibrancy, they might need more light.
Light preferences are a critical issue, by understanding them, you can find the perfect spot in your home for your small indoor fern to thrive!
Conclusion
Now, you have a collection of the best small indoor ferns including Button Ferns, Lemon Button Ferns, Blue Star Ferns, Crocodile Ferns, and Maidenhair Ferns. I tried to show you how to identify and care for them. Do you think which one is more proper for your tropical décor? Why you are looking for a small fern? I told you about the large indoor ferns in my other post, I recommend reading it too.
I think the best fern for you depends on various factors such as your experience level (are you a beginner?), the light conditions of your house, and your preferences. I provided you with a collection of small indoor ferns with a wide range of sizes, appearances, and ease of care. It lets you pick the perfect one for your indoor plant collection.
Please share your experiences and ideas below this page and ask me your questions.
Elahe Rabiei
Hi, I’m Elaheh. My Academic major is plant protection, and houseplants are my expertise. As a houseplant lover, my house is full of indoor plants and it is my passion to take care of them. Hence, I’m here to share my knowledge and experience about growing healthy houseplants. I am also a plant protection advisor, so feel free to ask me any questions you may have.
Hey Elahe,
I regularly read your blog and I find your articles very useful.
Your detailed descriptions of Button Ferns, Lemon Button Ferns, Blue Star Ferns, Crocodile Ferns, and Maidenhair Ferns were very informative and helpful.
I have a question: I’ve noticed that my Maidenhair Fern tends to get brown edges on its fronds even though I’m careful with its watering and placement. Could this be due to a humidity issue, or might there be another underlying problem I should address?
Overall, your passion for houseplants and expertise in plant protection shine through in this comprehensive guide. Keep up the great work!
Best wishes
Siam
Hi Siamul,
I’m so glad you follow my articles and find them useful! My goal is to provide practical information.
Don’t worry, browning edges on Maidenhair Ferns are a common concern, especially indoors. I provide some possible causes and solutions based on my experiences:
Low Humidity: As you mentioned, humidity is key. These ferns love a moist environment. You can mist them regularly, use a humidifier, or group them with other humidity-loving plants.
Overwatering: While they like moisture, too much water can cause root rot and brown fronds. Water deeply when the top inch of soil feels dry, and ensure good drainage.
Water Quality: Hard tap water with minerals like chlorine or fluoride can contribute to browning. Consider using filtered or rainwater for watering, or letting tap water sit overnight to allow some minerals to dissipate.
Light: Direct sunlight can scorch the fronds. Aim for bright, indirect light.
Pests: If the browning persists, check for tiny pests like spider mites. Aphelenchoides (nemathods of foliage) are also common on Ferns and can cause frond browning.
I hope following these tips will help your Maidenhair Fern thrive!