Grape Fern Plant Care
Botrychium virginianum (L.) Sw.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Botrypus virginianus, synonym Botrychium virginianum, sometimes called rattlesnake fern is a species of perennial fern in the adders-tongue family. It is monotypic within the genus Botrypus, meaning that it is the only species within the genus.
Shade to partial shade
At a glance
How do you care for Grape Fern?
Grape Fern grows best in shade to partial shade.
What Is the Grape Fern?
Grape Fern (Botrychium virginianum) belongs to the Ophioglossaceae family within the Botrychium genus. Grape Fern is also known as Moonwort, Rattlesnake Fern.
Grape Fern displays a low rosette, clumping growth habit, reaching up to tall with a spread of approximately . Grape Fern produces small, inconspicuous spore-bearing structures.
What Light Does the Grape Fern Need?
Grape Fern thrives in shade to partial shade. Avoid placing Grape Fern 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 Grape Fern?
Well-draining, humus-rich soil with good moisture retention. Good drainage is essential for Grape Fern to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Do You Repot a 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 Grape Fern?
Grape Fern 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 Grape Fern Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list 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 Grape Fern?
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.
Keep exploring plants
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 — compare its care with other Botrychium species on PlantoScan.
Botrychium is part of the Ophioglossaceae plant family — browse all Ophioglossaceae genera and species.
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 virginianum (L.) Sw., family Ophioglossaceae (first published in J. Bot. (Schrader) 1800(2): 111 (1801)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list 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.
- 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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