Northern Moonwort Plant Care
Botrychium boreale Milde
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Botrychium boreale, commonly called northern moonwort, is a species of fern in the family Ophioglossaceae. It has a short, single leaved rhizome that stands upright.
Shade to partial shade
At a glance
How do you care for Northern Moonwort?
Northern Moonwort grows best in shade to partial shade.
What Is the Northern Moonwort?
Northern Moonwort (Botrychium boreale) belongs to the Ophioglossaceae family within the Botrychium genus.
Northern Moonwort displays a low rosette, clumping growth habit, reaching up to tall with a spread of approximately . Northern Moonwort produces small, inconspicuous spore-bearing structures.
What Light Does the Northern Moonwort Need?
Northern Moonwort thrives in shade to partial shade. Avoid placing Northern Moonwort in direct, harsh sunlight for extended periods, as this can scorch the foliage.
Light Requirement
Shade to partial shade
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Northern Moonwort?
Well-draining, humus-rich soil with good moisture retention. Good drainage is essential for Northern Moonwort to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Do You Repot a Northern Moonwort?
Repot every 2-3 years in early spring. Choose a pot one size larger than the current container, and ensure it has drainage holes to allow excess water to escape.
How Do You Propagate a Northern Moonwort?
Northern Moonwort can be propagated through spores, division of rhizomes. Similar propagation techniques also apply to daisy-leaf grape fern plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Northern Moonwort Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Northern Moonwort, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Keep pets from chewing it as a precaution.
This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.
See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.
What Pests and Diseases Affect the Northern Moonwort?
Northern Moonwort is susceptible to not commonly affected by pests. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.
Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.
Keep exploring plants
Northern Moonwort is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.
It belongs to the Botrychium genus — compare its care with other Botrychium species on PlantoScan.
Botrychium is part of the Ophioglossaceae plant family — browse all Ophioglossaceae genera and species.
Northern Moonwort copes with lower light than most plants — browse the full list of low-light plants.
More Botrychium Species
Other Botrychium species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Botrychium boreale Milde, family Ophioglossaceae (first published in Bot. Zeitung (Berlin) 15: 880 (1857)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Northern Moonwort, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
- Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.
Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.
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