Moonwort Plant Care
Botrychium lunaria (L.) Sw.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Botrychium lunaria is a species of fern in the family Ophioglossaceae known by the common name moonwort or common moonwort. It is the most widely distributed moonwort, growing throughout the Northern Hemisphere across Eurasia and from Alaska to Greenland, as well as temperate parts of the Southern Hemisphere.
Shade to partial shade
At a glance
How do you care for Moonwort?
Moonwort grows best in shade to partial shade.
What Is the Moonwort?
Moonwort (Botrychium lunaria) belongs to the Ophioglossaceae family within the Botrychium genus. Moonwort is also known as Common Moonwort, Grape Fern, Little Grape Fern.
Moonwort displays a low rosette, clumping growth habit, reaching up to tall with a spread of approximately . Moonwort produces small, inconspicuous spore-bearing structures.
What Light Does the Moonwort Need?
Moonwort thrives in shade to partial shade. Avoid placing 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 Moonwort?
Well-draining, humus-rich soil with good moisture retention. Good drainage is essential for Moonwort to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Do You Repot a 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 Moonwort?
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 Moonwort Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list 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 Moonwort?
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
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.
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 lunaria (L.) Sw., family Ophioglossaceae (first published in J. Bot. (Schrader) 1800(2): 110. 1801 1800 ; & HB. 447. Chr. 365. NPfl. 470) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list 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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