Also known as Spikemoss · 89 gardener saves
Selaginella: the varieties gardeners actually grow
Selaginella, the genus most gardeners know as spikemoss. We track 8 varieties; these are the ones gardeners actually save and plant, ranked by real saves rather than catalog marketing. Each links to full care, bloom, and live price data.
The 8 most-saved Selaginella varieties
Of 8 in the catalog — ordered by how many gardeners actually grow them.
#1 most savedNorthern Spikemoss
Selaginella borealis
#2 most savedGolden Selaginella
Selaginella kraussiana 'Aurea'
#3 most savedRock Spikemoss
Selaginella rupestris 'Bald Knob'
Rainbow Peacock Moss
Selaginella uncinata 'RainbowPeacock Moss'
Peacock Moss
Selaginella uncinata
Moellendorff's spikemoss
Selaginella moellendorffii
Meadow Spikemoss
Selaginella apoda
Arborvitae Fern
Selaginella braunii
How to grow Selaginella
What the Selaginella varieties in our catalog actually agree on — drawn from the care records of the 8 most-grown of them, not from a generic template.
The Selaginella year
- PlantMarch, April, May and September100% of varieties
Plant in moist, well-drained soil in a shaded location
- DivideMarch and April75% of varieties
Divide and replant sections to propagate or manage spread
- MulchMarch and April50% of varieties
Apply fine mulch to help retain essential soil moisture
- Spring CleanupFebruary and March50% of varieties
Remove any brown or winter-damaged fronds
Do
- Water regularly to keep soil moist 🌱
- Keep soil moist and well-drained 🌱
- Maintain high humidity levels
- Provide partial shade to prevent leaf scorch
- Mist regularly to increase humidity
Avoid
- Allow soil to dry out completely ❌
- Avoid direct full sun exposure ❌
- Don't let soil dry out completely
- Avoid heavy fertilization which can cause legginess
What goes wrong with Selaginella
| Problem | What you'll see | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Mealybugs | White cottony spots on leaves | Apply organic insecticidal soap |
| Spider mites | Fine webbing on foliage | Use neem oil spray |
| Aphids | Sticky residue and distorted leaves | Use insecticidal soap or neem oil |
| Slugs and Snails | Irregular holes chewed in the foliage, silvery slime trails. | Use organic baits containing iron phosphate. Create barriers of crushed eggshells or diatomaceous earth. Hand-pick them at night. |
| Root rot | Yellowing and wilting | Ensure well-draining soil and reduce watering |
| Fungal leaf spots | Brown or black spots on foliage | Remove affected leaves and apply a fungicide |
| Root Rot | Wilting, yellowing fronds, and mushy, black roots, often from poor drainage. | Prevention is crucial. Ensure soil is well-drained despite being moist. Reduce watering and improve drainage if caught early. No effective cure. |
Making more Selaginella
Spores
- Collect spores from mature fronds in late fall.
- Sprinkle spores onto moist, sterile soil surface.
- Maintain high humidity and indirect light for 6 weeks.
- Keep soil moist and avoid direct sunlight during germination.
Division
- Gently divide clumps in early spring.
- Plant divisions in prepared soil, water thoroughly.
- Keep moist for 4 weeks to establish roots.
Selaginella questions
How many types of Selaginella are there?
The Sow catalog tracks 8 distinct Selaginella varieties. The most popular — ranked by 89 real gardener saves — are shown first above.
What zones does Selaginella grow in?
Across its varieties, Selaginella covers USDA Zones 4–10. Individual varieties differ — each plant page lists its exact range, and Sow filters the catalog to your zone automatically.
When does Selaginella bloom?
Most Selaginella varieties bloom in early spring, late spring, late fall. Staggering early, mid, and late varieties extends the genus's season in one bed.
Which Selaginella should I choose?
Start from the most-saved varieties above — popularity across thousands of gardens is a strong signal of reliability — then filter by your zone and sun. In the Sow app you can preview any of them in a photo of your actual yard before you buy.
Keep exploring
Selaginella shows up in
By hardiness zone
Design with Selaginella in your own yard
Snap a photo of your space and see these varieties planted in it — sized correctly, matched to your zone, with care reminders included.
