How much sun does Mingan Island Grapefern need?

Mingan Island Grapefern grows best in part shade conditions.

Where is Mingan Island Grapefern native?

Mingan Island Grapefern (Botrychium minganense) is native to AZ, CA, CO, ID and 14 more states, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).

Is Mingan Island Grapefern HOA-friendly?

Mingan Island Grapefern takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Mingan Island Grapefern

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Botrychium minganense

Last reviewed: August 2026

Toxicity unknown

Mingan Island Grapefern (Botrychium minganense) is not listed by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (opens in new tab) or the other sources we check, so we have no verdict for it either way. Absence from those lists is not a clearance. If your pet shows symptoms after eating any plant, call the ASPCA at (888) 426-4435.

Light

part shade

Water

medium

Size

2"–8" H × 2"–8" W

Bloom

N/A

Native to

AZ, CA, CO, ID and 14 more states

Before you buy

Your city may pay you to plant this

Cities and water utilities offer rebates for replacing lawn with native and water-wise plants. We track 452 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.

Find rebates in your area

Browse plants for this ecoregion

Northwestern Forested Mountains Sierra Nevada Central Basin and Range Southern Rockies Northern Lakes and Forests North Central Hardwood Forests North American Deserts

Mingan moonwort is a small, delicate native fern with distinctive forked fronds that emerge in spring and die back in winter. This tiny woodland species grows close to the ground and requires consistent moisture and partial shade to thrive. It naturally occurs in rocky areas and open woodlands throughout northern regions.

In an HOA neighborhood

Mingan Island Grapefern takes more care to keep looking intentional in a front yard. Maintenance level: high. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Works well in: backyard only.

Extremely small size makes it nearly invisible in landscaping
Dies back completely in winter leaving bare spots
Requires very specific growing conditions that may be hard to maintain

Wildlife value

As a fern, this species does not produce flowers or attract pollinators, but provides minor habitat value for small insects and adds to native plant diversity in woodland settings.

Common questions

How much sun does Mingan Island Grapefern need?: Mingan Island Grapefern grows best in part shade conditions.
Where is Mingan Island Grapefern native?: Mingan Island Grapefern (Botrychium minganense) is native to AZ, CA, CO, ID and 14 more states, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).
Is Mingan Island Grapefern HOA-friendly?: Mingan Island Grapefern takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Native range data from the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew). Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.

If something looks wrong

Common plant problems, and what to check first

These come up on almost any plant. Each guide lists the likely causes in the order they are worth ruling out, with one thing to check before you act on any of them, and links to the source it came from.

See all plant problem guides

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