About
A form of spikemoss or lesser clubmoss. A non-flowering, rhizomatous, mat-forming perennial, up to 5cm high, with trailing stems up to 30cm long, rooting from the nodes so that they may be infinitely spreading, and branching into evergreen, frond-like sprays of green leaves with yellow-green growing tips. An ideal plant for terrariums or bottle gardens.
About the genus
Selaginella are evergreen rhizomatous perennials which may be small and tufted or tall and scrambling, the slender stems covered with small scale-like leaves; spores develop in short terminal spikes
Growing conditions
SunlightPartial shade
Soil typeLoam
Soil pHAcid, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained
AspectWest-facing, North-facing, East-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH3
Plant details
Plant typeHerbaceous Perennial, Conservatory Greenhouse
HabitMatforming
FoliageEvergreen
HeightUp to 10 cm
Spread0.5-1 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesCity and courtyard gardens, Cottage and informal garden, Patio and container plants
Care notes
CultivationIn milder frost-free areas, grow outdoors in moderately fertile, humus-rich, neutral to slightly acidic, moist but well-drained soil in partial shade, with shelter from cold drying winds; in colder areas, grow under glass, in bright filtered or indirect light and high humidity, but with good air circulation, in a rapidly draining, coarse, open medium rich in organic matter, for example a loam-based medium, such as peat-free John Innes No. 2, with additional leafmould, bark, sharp sand or fine grit and some charcoal, and when growing water freely and apply a balanced liquid fertilizer monthly, but keep just moist in winter. An ideal plant for terrariums and bottle gardens
PruningNo pruning required
PropagationPropagate by spores, sown at 21°C as soon as they are ripe, or by division of rhizomes or rooted stems in spring, or by layering; for more advice on propagation by spores, see hardy fern cultivation
Pest resistanceGenerally pest-free but may be susceptible to slugs
Disease resistanceGenerally disease-free