Sagina subulata
Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Colobanthus subulatus
- Phonetic Spelling
- sa-JEE-nuh sub-yoo-LAH-tuh
- Description
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Irish Moss is a low growing, evergreen, perennial groundcover in the carnation family with deep green moss-like leaves and tiny white daisy-like flowers. It forms a dense mat of slender stems that root at the nodes and tolerates moderate foot traffic.
Irish Moss does best in moderately fertile, acid to neutral soil, in full sun with some midday shade. It does not do well in intense heat or drought and over watering can be a problem. The plant prefers cool, moist conditions and rocky or sandy soil. Most vegetative growth occurs during the spring while the weather is moist and cool.
The plant tolerates light foot traffic and is good for filling in gaps in paving as well as rock gardens, and troughs. It would make a good lawn alternative planted along pathways or between stepping stones. The root system consists of a slender taproot that is shallow and divides frequently into secondary roots. This plant spreads by reseeding itself and it often forms small colonies of plants with a mossy appearance.
Diseases, Insect Pests, and Other Plant Problems:
Generally disease and pest free, but can be susceptible to aphids.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
- 'Aurea'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
- 'Aurea'
- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Sagina
- Species:
- subulata
- Family:
- Caryophyllaceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- For rock gardens or vegetation between pavers.
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Chile to Argentina and the Falkland Islands
- Distribution:
- Introduced to the east and west coasts of United States (Oregon and Virginia)
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Ground Cover
- Perennial
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Needled Evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Dense
- Spreading
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Medium
- Texture:
- Fine
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Shallow Rocky
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- White
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Summer
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- The ovoid seed capsule is white and membranous with 4 blunt teeth along its upper rim. Each capsule contains several dark tiny seeds that can be blown about by the wind. The surface of each seed is minutely pebbly.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Cyme
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Wheel
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- Daisy-like white flowers with an attractive fragrance bloom in the spring.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Needled Evergreen
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Type:
- Needles
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Opposite
- Leaf Shape:
- Linear
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- Yes
- Leaf Length:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Description:
- Thin leaves, 1/2 to 1 inch in length, that can form dense mats. Pairs of leaves occur at intervals along the stems. Each pair merges together and wraps around the stem, which is slightly swollen where each pair of leaves occurs.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Form:
- Straight
- Stem Surface:
- Smooth (glabrous)
- Stem Description:
- One or more stems develop from a rosette of leaves. These stems are bright green, glabrous, and tend to sprawl across other stems or the ground.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Lawn
- Walkways
- Landscape Theme:
- Asian Garden
- Cottage Garden
- Rock Garden
- Design Feature:
- Mass Planting
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Foot Traffic
