Mountain Moonwort Plant Care
Botrychium montanum W.H.Wagner
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Botrychium montanum is a species of fern in the family Ophioglossaceae known by the common names western goblin and mountain moonwort. It is native to western North America from British Columbia to northern California to Montana, where it grows in the dark understory of coniferous forests and other moist wooded areas.
Shade to partial shade
At a glance
How do you care for Mountain Moonwort?
Mountain Moonwort grows best in shade to partial shade.
Where Is the Mountain Moonwort Native To?
What Is the Mountain Moonwort?
Mountain Moonwort (Botrychium montanum) belongs to the Ophioglossaceae family within the Botrychium genus. Mountain Moonwort is native to western North America from British Columbia to northern California to Montana. Mountain Moonwort is also known as Mountain Grape Fern.
Mountain Moonwort displays a low rosette, clumping growth habit, reaching up to tall with a spread of approximately . Mountain Moonwort produces small, inconspicuous spore-bearing structures.
What Light Does the Mountain Moonwort Need?
Mountain Moonwort thrives in shade to partial shade. Avoid placing Mountain 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 Mountain Moonwort?
Well-draining, humus-rich soil with good moisture retention. Good drainage is essential for Mountain Moonwort to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Do You Repot a Mountain 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 Mountain Moonwort?
Mountain 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 Mountain Moonwort Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Mountain 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 Mountain Moonwort?
Mountain 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
Mountain 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.
Mountain 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 montanum W.H.Wagner, family Ophioglossaceae (first published in Amer. Fern J. 71: 29, figs (1981)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Mountain 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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