Photo: Johan N, CC BY-SA 3.0 · source
Pruning guide · Fern
Adder’s-tongue: when and how to prune
Ophioglossum vulgatum
Adder’s-tongue is best pruned in August–September.
| Pruning months | August–September |
|---|---|
| Native to Belgium | Yes |
Adder’s-tongue: when to prune it?
No pruning. Mow the grassland only in August–September, when the leaf has withered.
Adder’s-tongue: how to prune it?
- Mow only when the leaf and spore spike have turned yellow or disappeared, usually from August.
- Then mow short and remove the cuttings, so the soil stays poor.
- In a lawn: spare the spot from April to the end of July and mow around it.
How much to cut, and how often?
- One pruning period a year: August–September.
What does it mean for wildlife?
- As a native plant, it feeds more insects than a non-native species.
Caution: Mowing too early costs the plant that year’s spores; mowing too early every year weakens the colony.
Nearby: related pruning guides
Plant profile: Adder’s-tongue · Pruning calendar and basic rules
This guide is compiled from the Bladwijzer plant profile and pruning calendar.