Is Spike moss a fern?

Selaginella, commonly referred to as spike moss or arborvitae fern, has been around for more than 400 million years. These plants look more like a moss than a fern, but are technically considered a fern ally. THE GENUS SELAGINELLA is composed of more than 700 species with most being native to tropical areas.

How do you take care of Spike moss?

Club Moss, Spike Moss Indoors (Selaginella species)

1. Plant Feed. Apply a balanced liquid fertilizer monthly.
2. Watering. Keep soil evenly moist.
3. Soil. Best in organic-rich, well-drained soil.
4. Basic Care Summary. Keep soil evenly moist. Apply a balanced liquid fertilizer monthly during active growth. Keep away from drafts.

Is moss good for ferns?

Ferns require indirect sunlight, moist soil, and a humid atmosphere. Ferns prefer potting soil with good drainage and high organic content. A potting mix should have peat moss or sphagnum for moisture retention, sand or gravel for drainage, and sterilized bagged garden loam or potting soil.

Does Spike moss seed?

They do not produce seeds.

Is Spike moss poisonous?

Toxicity: Non-toxic to cats, dogs and humans. Potting Mix: Fast draining but also able to hold some moisture. Additional Care: Brown and shriveled leaves indicates low humidity.

Why is Spike moss important?

Spike moss (Selaginella spp.) An important factor in determining the suitability of a plant to your home and envisioning the care it will need, is to know the origin of the plant. Those plants most commonly grown as houseplants, called spike moss, are admired for their decorative, branching, mossy foliage.

Should I mist selaginella?

Selaginella plants enjoy high humidity. Alternatively, you can spray the plant with a light water mist, or set the plant on a pebble tray. Humidifiers are also a good way to increase humidity, though they will increase the moisture content of the whole room, not just around the plant.

Is moss good for the environment?

Mosses are an environmentally benign way to conserve water, control erosion, filter rainwater, clean up hazardous chemicals, and sequester carbon. Also, mosses serve a valuable ecological role as bioindicators for air pollution, acid rain, water pollution, and wastewater treatment.

How do you know if you have Spike moss?

Physical description. Spike mosses bear scalelike leaves, either spirally arranged or in ranks of four, on trailing, climbing, or erect stems and branches. The spore-bearing leaves are similar to ordinary leaves but are clustered in spikes, or strobili.

Is Spike moss toxic to dogs?

Toxicity: Non-toxic to cats, dogs and humans. Potting Mix: Fast draining but also able to hold some moisture.

Can you propagate club moss?

PROPAGATION. Selaginella kraussiana can be propagated through cuttings. This also holds true for Selaginella martensii. Propagating Clubmoss that way will only work if you can provide the plants with very high humidity.

What kind of plant is a spike moss?

Spike Moss is an interesting plant that is perfect for complimenting your garden area. While this plant has quite a bit in common with ferns, there are also a number of unique characteristics. This is definitely one type of plant that you’ll want to consider growing for numerous reasons.

What kind of moss is a frosty fern?

Known as Selaginella kraussiana, it is actually a variety of spike moss (which, confusingly enough, isn’t really a kind of moss either). Does any of this matter for knowing how to grow it? Not really.

How is a Selaginella spike moss plant propagated?

In nature, a Selaginella plant is propagated by spores. At home or in the greenhouse, we usually propagate a Selaginella by plant division

How can I control the size of my spike moss?

When you want to control the size of your spike moss, you can cut the stems back. Just pinch the stems back, and the plant will produce new growth at its base. Make sure that you take care of any dead or dying stems or foliage as well. Pruning will help this plant produce new growth, so you’ll want to keep that in mind.