How to Grow Small-leaved Selaginella
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Small-leaved Selaginella
Selaginella kraussiana
herbSmall-leaved Selaginella is a delicate, creeping moss-like plant featuring tiny, scale-like leaves that densely cover slender stems. It is a primitive vascular plant that thrives in humid, shaded environments and is commonly grown as a low-maintenance houseplant or terrarium specimen. Despite its fragile appearance, it is remarkably resilient when grown in appropriate conditions.
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Example Small-leaved Selaginella timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Small-leaved Selaginella
Around Apr 17Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
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Tend & protect
Late spring–summerWatering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
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Harvest Small-leaved Selaginella
Late summer into fallBefore the first fall frost (≈ Nov 8)
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Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 10-11; best grown as a houseplant in cooler climates
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Get my Small-leaved Selaginella timeline →Growth Stages
Establishment
2-4 weeksYoung plant develops initial rooting and begins spreading runners across soil surface
Keep soil consistently moist and maintain high humidity; avoid disturbance during first 2-3 weeks; provide bright indirect light only
Vegetative Growth
Ongoing, typically 2-3 months for visible mat formationPlant establishes dense mat of creeping stems with tiny overlapping leaves; runners develop aerial rootlets
Maintain consistent moisture and humidity; mist daily if grown outside terrarium; ensure air circulation to prevent fungal issues; fertilize monthly with diluted balanced fertilizer if desired
Expansion
3-12 months depending on container size and conditionsPlant spreads laterally, creating carpet-like coverage; stems may layer and develop new growth points
Monitor for overcrowding in containers; gently thin if needed to maintain air circulation; continue regular misting and moisture management
Maintenance
Long-term; plant can persist for years with proper careMature plant maintains steady, slow growth; may develop small sporangia (spore structures) on fronds in optimal conditions
Continue consistent watering and humidity; pinch back overgrown areas to encourage bushier form; remove any dead or discolored portions promptly
Propagation
4-8 weeks per division to establishPlant produces runners with aerial rootlets that can develop into new plants when in contact with moist substrate
Encourage rooting by keeping runners in contact with moist soil; sever and pot runners once roots are established; maintain high humidity for young divisions
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Increase humidity to 70%+ as mites thrive in dry air; mist regularly; wash foliage gently with soft water; use insecticidal soap if severe; ensure good air circulation
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Inspect regularly for white cottony clusters; remove manually with alcohol-dipped cotton swab; isolate infected plants; use neem oil or insecticidal soap as needed
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Remove visible scales manually; treat with horticultural oil or insecticidal soap; maintain good air circulation to prevent reinfestation
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Allow soil surface to dry slightly between waterings; use sand topdressing; employ yellow sticky traps; use hydrogen peroxide soil drench if infestation is severe
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Improve drainage by amending soil with perlite; reduce watering frequency slightly; ensure pots have drainage holes; use activated charcoal in soil
Uses
Terrarium and Vivarium Flooring
HouseholdSmall-leaved Selaginella creates an attractive, soft-textured groundcover in glass terrariums, vivariums, and enclosed plant displays. Its low-growing habit and moss-like appearance make it ideal for creating naturalistic forest floor scenes. [source]
Low-Maintenance Houseplant
HouseholdThis plant thrives in standard household humidity levels when misted regularly or placed in a bathroom, making it an excellent choice for easy-care indoor gardening. It requires minimal attention once established in appropriate conditions. [source]
Botanical Arrangements and Displays
CraftSelaginella is prized by plant enthusiasts for creating living walls, planted trays, and moss pole arrangements. Its delicate texture adds visual interest to mixed plantings and decorative displays. [source]
Microhabitat Creation
WildlifeThe dense mat of Selaginella provides shelter and moisture for small insects, arthropods, and microorganisms, making it valuable in paludarium setups and naturalistic vivariums for reptiles and amphibians. [source]
Traditional Herbal Use
MedicinalCertain Selaginella species have been used in traditional Asian medicine to treat inflammation and support respiratory health, though scientific evidence is limited. Modern research is exploring potential bioactive compounds. [source]
This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.
Harvest Tips
Selaginella is not harvested in the traditional sense; instead, it is propagated by division. Gently separate runners with rooted portions and pot them individually in moist peat-based soil. Trim back overgrown or leggy sections to maintain compact, attractive form and redirect energy to new growth.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Small-leaved Selaginella is sometimes called 'Krauss's spikemoss' and is one of the few plants that can survive complete desiccation, entering a dormant state and reviving when rehydrated—a trait shared by some ferns and mosses.
- 🌱 Selaginella is an ancient plant lineage dating back over 400 million years to the Devonian period, making it one of Earth's oldest vascular plant groups; it predates flowering plants by hundreds of millions of years.
- 🌱 Unlike true mosses, Selaginella has true roots, stems, and leaves with internal vascular tissue, placing it closer evolutionarily to ferns and seed plants despite its moss-like appearance.
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