California Adder's-tongue Plant Care
Ophioglossum californicum Prantl
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Ophioglossum californicum, known by the common name California adder's tongue, is an uncommon species of fern in the family Ophioglossaceae.
Shade to partial shade
At a glance
How do you care for California Adder's-tongue?
California Adder's-tongue grows best in shade to partial shade.
What Is the California Adder's-tongue?
California Adder's-tongue (Ophioglossum californicum) belongs to the Ophioglossaceae family within the Ophioglossum genus. California Adder's-tongue is also known as Adder's-tongue Fern.
California Adder's-tongue displays a low rosette, clumping growth habit, reaching up to tall with a spread of approximately . California Adder's-tongue produces non-flowering.
What Light Does the California Adder's-tongue Need?
California Adder's-tongue thrives in shade to partial shade. Avoid placing California Adder's-tongue 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 California Adder's-tongue?
Rich, moist, well-draining soil with high organic matter content. Good drainage is essential for California Adder's-tongue to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Do You Repot a California Adder's-tongue?
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 California Adder's-tongue?
California Adder's-tongue can be propagated through spores. Similar propagation techniques also apply to azores adder's-tongue plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the California Adder's-tongue Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list California Adder's-tongue, 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 California Adder's-tongue?
California Adder's-tongue is susceptible to generally pest-resistant. 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
California Adder's-tongue 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 Ophioglossum genus — compare its care with other Ophioglossum species on PlantoScan.
Ophioglossum is part of the Ophioglossaceae plant family — browse all Ophioglossaceae genera and species.
California Adder's-tongue copes with lower light than most plants — browse the full list of low-light plants.
More Ophioglossum Species
Other Ophioglossum species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Ophioglossum californicum Prantl, family Ophioglossaceae (first published in Ber. Deutsch. Bot. Ges. 1: 351 (1883)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list California Adder's-tongue, 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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