Photo: Jared ShormaCC BY 4.0via iNaturalistresized / cropped
Daisy-leaf Grape Fern Plant Care
Botrychium matricariifolium (Retz.) A.Braun ex W.D.J.Koch
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
This plant's most distinctive visual feature is its delicate, feathery leaves that resemble the shape of a matricaria flower. Originating from North America, Botrychium matricariifolium is highly sought after by plant collectors for its unique foliage and the challenge of successfully growing this rare species in a garden setting.
Every 2–4 days
Shade to partial shade
60–75°F
50–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Daisy-leaf Grape Fern?
Water Daisy-leaf Grape Fern every 2–4 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it shade to partial shade. It prefers temperatures of 60–75°F (16–24°C) and 50–70% humidity. Fertilize it every month during the growing season.
Where Is the Daisy-leaf Grape Fern Native To?
- Albania
- Austria
- Belarus
- Belgium
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Bulgaria
- Canada
- Croatia
- Cyprus
- Czechia
- Denmark
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Hungary
- Iceland
- Ireland
- Italy
- Latvia
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Malta
- Mexico
- Moldova
- Montenegro
- North Macedonia
- Norway
- Poland
- Portugal
- Romania
- Russia
- Serbia
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- The Netherlands
- Ukraine
- United Kingdom
- United States
What Is the Daisy-leaf Grape Fern?
Daisy-leaf Grape Fern (Botrychium matricariifolium) belongs to the Ophioglossaceae family within the Botrychium genus. Daisy-leaf Grape Fern is native to Europe and parts of eastern North America, including eastern Canada and parts of the United States. Daisy-leaf Grape Fern is also known as Matricary Grape Fern, Moonwort.
Daisy-leaf Grape Fern displays a low rosette, clumping growth habit, reaching up to tall with a spread of approximately . Daisy-leaf Grape Fern produces small, inconspicuous spore-bearing structures.
Leaf size: approximately 6 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Daisy-leaf Grape Fern?
Botrychium matricariifolium requires watering every 2–4 days. Allow the top layer of soil to dry between waterings to prevent root rot. Reduce watering frequency during winter when growth slows.
Watering Frequency
Every 2–4 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Daisy-leaf Grape Fern Need?
Daisy-leaf Grape Fern thrives in shade to partial shade. Avoid placing Daisy-leaf Grape Fern in direct, harsh sunlight for extended periods, as this can scorch the foliage.
Light Requirement
Shade to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Daisy-leaf Grape Fern Prefer?
Botrychium matricariifolium grows best at temperatures of 60–75°F. Daisy-leaf Grape Fern prefers humidity levels of 50–70%. A pebble tray or humidifier helps maintain adequate moisture around the plant.
Temperature
60–75°F
Humidity
50–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Daisy-leaf Grape Fern?
Well-draining, humus-rich soil with good moisture retention. Good drainage is essential for Daisy-leaf Grape Fern to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Daisy-leaf Grape Fern?
Feed Daisy-leaf Grape Fern every month during the growing season (spring and summer) with a balanced fertilizer diluted to the strength on the label.
Pause feeding in autumn and winter, when growth slows, and never fertilize dry soil — water first.
Fertilizing
Every month
During the growing season
The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.
How Do You Repot a Daisy-leaf Grape Fern?
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 Daisy-leaf Grape Fern?
Daisy-leaf Grape Fern can be propagated through spores, division of rhizomes. Similar propagation techniques also apply to triangle moonwort plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Daisy-leaf Grape Fern Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Daisy-leaf Grape Fern, 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 Daisy-leaf Grape Fern?
Daisy-leaf Grape Fern 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.
What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Daisy-leaf Grape Fern Need?
Daisy-leaf Grape Fern grows outdoors in USDA Zone 3a – 6b. It survives winters down to planting zone 3a. Daisy-leaf Grape Fern is native to Europe and parts of eastern North America, including eastern Canada and parts of the United States.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 3a – 6b
Keep exploring plants
Daisy-leaf Grape Fern 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 (family Ophioglossaceae) — search all Botrychium species in the plant lookup.
Daisy-leaf Grape Fern 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 matricariifolium (Retz.) A.Braun ex W.D.J.Koch, family Ophioglossaceae (first published in Syn. Fl. Germ. Helv., ed. 2 3: 972. 1845 [17-20 Sep 1845] , as 'matricariaefolium') — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Daisy-leaf Grape Fern, 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.
- Photo: Jared Shorma, CC BY 4.0, iNaturalist — original.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 3a – 6b, estimated from the plant's typical growing conditions.
- 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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