1 named cultivar

‘Aurea’Golden Selaginella

groundcover

Golden Selaginella

The Story

Plant Bio

Selaginella kraussiana, spikemoss, is a low creeping evergreen from Africa and Macaronesia, only two to four inches high and spreading a foot or more. Its lacy scale-like foliage looks like a miniature fern and gives the plant an oddly prehistoric appearance, which is fair — spikemosses are ancient relatives of ferns rather than true mosses.

It needs constant humidity and never dries out in the wild, which is why it thrives in a terrarium and dies within days on an open windowsill. That is the single thing that decides whether it lives. In a closed case or a shaded, permanently damp corner it forms a soft carpet that few other plants match at that scale.

Uses & Benefits:

A soft lacy carpet of fern-like foliage, brightest in the golden-leaved forms.

One of the best true groundcovers for a terrarium, where its humidity needs are met automatically.

Grown almost entirely under glass; an ancient fern ally rather than a true moss.

Essentials

At a Glance

Plant Type

Groundcover

Height

3 inches

Width

15 inches

Light

Partial Sun, Shade

Zones

4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9

Water

High

Humidity

High

Lifespan

Perennial

Native To

Africa and Macaronesia

Toxicity

Non-toxic

Planting

How to Grow

Grow it in a terrarium or permanently humid spot.
Give it deep to partial shade; never direct sun.
Keep the compost constantly moist, never dry.
Use rainwater or distilled water where possible.
Trim runners to keep it within bounds.
Divide rooted pieces to make more.

Pro Tip

It dies from a single dry-out, so a closed terrarium succeeds where an open pot almost always fails.

Keep It Thriving

Care Guide

Do

Grow it in a terrarium or humid case 🫙
Keep it constantly moist 💧
Give it deep shade 🌑
Divide rooted pieces to spread it 🌱

Don't

Let it dry out even once ❌
Put it in direct sun ❌
Grow it on an open dry windowsill ❌

Seasonal Care Calendar

Task	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Check Moisture
Divide

Watch Out For

Pests & Diseases

Common Pests

Common Diseases

In the Garden

Landscape Uses & Companions

Landscape Uses

Terrarium and bottle garden groundcoverPermanently damp shaded corner outdoorsUnder bench planting in a greenhouse

Companion Plants

Fittonia Peperomia Maidenhair Fern Moss Baby's Tears

Multiply

Propagation Methods

Good to Know

Common Questions

Golden Selaginella questions

What zones can Golden Selaginella grow in?

Golden Selaginella is hardy in USDA Zones 4–9. Inside that range it survives winter in the ground; outside it, grow it as an annual or a container plant you protect.

Is Golden Selaginella deer resistant?

Not reliably. Deer may browse Golden Selaginella, especially tender spring growth — plan on repellents or fencing where pressure is high.

When does Golden Selaginella bloom?

Golden Selaginella typically blooms in does not flower through late fall. Exact timing shifts a week or two with your zone — Sow's bloom calendar maps it to your garden.

Does Golden Selaginella need full sun?

Golden Selaginella does best in part shade.