Creeping Moss (Selaginella) Indoor Care, Propagation, Problems and Solutions
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Selaginella are creeping plants with simple, scale-like leaves borne on branching stems from which the roots arise. They are ideal for a terrarium as their tiny leaves will shrivel in ordinary room conditions.
To increase your chance of success in growing Creeping moss indoors, grow the plant in a shallow, well-drained pot in semi-shade away from the window and direct sunlight.
Then, surround the pot with damp moss or set it on a wet pebble tray to raise humidity. Use only soft water to water and mist Creeping Moss.
On account of to their need for warm and humid conditions, Selaginella are among favored plants for a closed terrarium as a high humidity can be maintained inside.
Botanical name: Selaginella
Family: Selaginellaceae
Origin
Selaginella plants occur mostly in the tropical regions of the world, with a handful of species to be found in the arctic-alpine zones of both hemispheres.
A few species of Salaginella are desert plants known as "resurrection plants" which curl up in a tight, brown or reddish ball during dry times and uncurl and turn green in the presence of moisture.
Are Selaginella toxic?
No. Selaginella are non-toxic to both humans and pets as indicated by ASPCA. They are safe to grow in a home where there are children, cats, dogs and other pets.
Selaginella Varieties
There are over 750 species of Selaginella. They have scale-leaves and spores of two types; a microspore male which is smaller and a megaspore female which is larger.
Some of the common species of Selaginella are the trailing types like Selaginella uncinata (Blue-green Peacock Fern). Selaginella apoda (pale green and moss-like). Selaginella kraussiana aurea (the yellow-green Spreading Clubmoss).
Some have upright stems like Selaginella martensii (Spike Moss) which has 1 ft upright stems and aerial roots which grow down from the stems into the soil.
Selaginella emmeliana has 6 inches erect stems and lacy leaves. Another common species is the resurrection-plant Selaginella lepidophylla which is bought as a dried-up ball and is restored to life by soaking in water.
Where to Buy Selaginella
If you would like to add the Selaginella to your plant collection, you may get them online from Etsy (Link to Etsy).
How to Care for Selaginella Indoors
To care for Creeping Moss indoors, provide bright indirect light, warmth of 18-280C, humidity of 70-80% and consistently moist, rich, well-drained soils coupled with monthly feeding during the growing season.
Selaginella requires regular pruning to keep it neat, to reduce pest infestations, to encourage bushy growth and to rejuvenate growth. Repotting is necessary only when pot-bound. Keep reading for more on these growing conditions and how to achieve them.
Watering
How often should I water Selaginella?
Water Selaginella liberally in spring and summer until water comes out through the drainage hole. Allow the top 1-2 inches of soil to dry out between watering. Keep soil consistently moist but not soggy to prevent rotting, yellowing and leaf drop.
Reduce watering in fall and winter to maintain the soil slightly moist as growth is reduced at this time. Do not allow the soil to dry out completely to prevent wilting, drooping and leaf loss.
Use tepid water (room temperature water) to avoid shocking this tropical plant as it can result in stunted growth and leaf drop. Only use chlorine-free water like rainwater to prevent staining and browning; the plants are sensitive to chlorine and other chemicals dissolved in water.
To avoid getting soggy soil which can lead to rotting and eventual plant death, use a pot that has a drainage hole and free-draining soil.
Light Requirements
How much light does Selaginella need?
Creeping Moss need bright indirect light (dappled light); position it infront of a bright, sunless window. Keep it away from direct sunlight or use a light curtain to diffuse the sunrays to prevent scorching, resulting in ugly, brown marks.
Too little light for Selaginella will result in yellowing and leggy growth. If the natural lighting is not sufficient, use afull spectrum grow light to increase it.
Regularly rotate the pot to ensure that the plant receive light on all sides to promote uniform growth.
Temperature & Humidity
Creeping Moss prefers a warmth of 18-280C; a room temperature that is comfortable for you is ideal for this plant. Keep it away from sources of drafts to prevent sudden changes in temperature as they can cause stunted growth, yellowing, wilting, drooping and leaf drop.
Selaginella prospers a humidity of 70-80%. Low humidity will result in shrivelled, brown leaves. To elevate humidity, set the pot on a wet pebble tray, use a cool mist humidifier or grow the plant in a closed terrarium or a well-lit bathroom. Maintain good air circulation to discourage fungal diseases.
Fertilizer
Feed Creeping Moss monthly with a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer in the growing period (spring and summer) for a lush growth. Withhold feeding in the cold season (fall and winter) to prevent fertilizer burn as growth is minimal at this time.
Potting Soil
The best soil for Selaginella should be rich in organic matter and free-draining to prevent waterlogging while providing the required nutrients. A mix of 50% potting soil, 30% peat moss or coco coir and 20% perlite is ideal for this plant.
Repotting
Repot Creeping Moss at the beginning of the growing season only when growth has began to suffer as the plant prefers to be slightly root-bound.
Use a pot 1 size larger that has a drainage hole to prevent the soil from getting soggy as it can lead to rotting. Check out these ceramic pots with drainage holes on Amazon.
Pruning & Grooming
Pruning Selaginella involves removal of dead and yellow leaves to maintain the plant neat and to minimize pests and diseases infestations.
To encourage a compact, bushy growth pinch off the growing tips regularly. If the plant becomes unruly, cut it back to rejuvenate growth. The foliage emanating from the prunings, can be used to propagate new plants.
Regularly clean the leaves by gently brushing off the dust with a soft brush to keep the plant neat as well as maintain maximum surface area for light absorption.
Selaginella Propagation
Creeping Moss is best propagated from stem-tip cuttings or by plant division, at the beginning of the growing season.
1. Propagating Selaginella from stem-tip cuttings
- Take 4-5 inches long stem-tip cuttings from a healthy plant and strip off most of the lower leaves.
- Insert 2-3 inches of the lower cut end of the cuttings in moist, free-draining soil.
- Place the set up in a warm, well-lit place away from direct sunlight to prevent scorching
- Maintain the soil moist through out until new growth emerges on the cuttings.
- Allow the new plants to be well established before transplanting after which you can begin routine care.
2. Propagating Selaginella by plant divison
- Carefully, slip the plant out of its pot and divide it into several sections.
- Pot these sections individually in moist, well-draining soil. Ensure each pot has a drainage hole prevent rotting.
- Position these pots in a warm, well-lit place away from direct sunlight.
- Maintain the soil moist through out until new growth emerges.
- Allow the new plant to be well established before transplanting into a pot one size larger after which you can begin routine care.
Selaginella Problems & Remedies
What are common Selaginella problems?
Creeping Moss common problems are brown & shrivelled leaves, rotting & dying plant, pests among others. Keep reading for more on these problems and how to fix them.
Brown & shrivelled leaves
Brown, shrivelled leaves on Selaginella are caused by too dry air. To raise humidity, set the pot on a wet pebble tray, use a cool mist humidifier or group the plants together. You may also grow the plant in a closed terrarium or a well-lit bathroom.
Rotting & dying plant
A rotting and dying Creeping Moss is due root-rot which is promoted by soggy soil.
How to fix it
- Carefully slip the plant out of its pot and inspect the roots; brown-black mushy roots indicate root-rot.
- Trim off the rotten roots and treat the healthy roots with a copper-based fungicidal solution as recommended by the manufacturer.
- Repot the plant in fresh soil and a fresh pot. Use a pot with a drainage hole and fast-draining soil to prevent sogginess.
- Place the plant in a brighter spot and withhold watering for a few days to give it enough time to recover. After the dry period, resume routine care.
Pests
Common pests of Creeping Moss are mealybugs and spider mites which are prevalent in dry conditions.
How to fix it
- Isolate the affected plant to prevent spread to other plants.
- Treat the infested plant with neem oil as per the manufacturer's instructions.
- Keep the plant properly pruned at all times to reduce the hiding places for these pests.
- Set the pot on a wet pebble tray or group the plants together to upscale humidity.
- Regularly inspect your plant for these pests and take timely control measures.
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