Button fern gets its name from the small, round, glossy leaflets lined up along dark, wiry stems. It stays compact and tidy, with a finer, neater habit than most ferns, which makes it a favorite for tabletops, dish gardens, and terrariums.

Give it bright shade indoors and keep the soil evenly moist without letting it sit soggy; a quick check of the top inch before watering is the habit to build. It appreciates humidity, so a bathroom window or a pebble tray suits it well.