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Plants that fill a similar niche:
Salvia rosmarinus Rosmarinus officinalis
Trachelospermum jasminoides Trachelospermum jasminoides
Alsobia dianthiflora Alsobia Dianthflora

Irish Moss Selaginella kraussiana

Other Common Name(s):

Other plants called Irish Moss:

Previously known as:

  • Selaginella azorica
  • Selaginella canescens
Phonetic Spelling
sell-lah-gi-NEL-uh krau-see-AY-nuh
Description

Spikemoss is a cousin to the true ferns, a low growing, mat-forming vascular plant.  Plant it in the shade in rich, moist to wet soils.  It makes a great houseplant, container plant, or used in terrariums.  The dense mat it forms makes it an option as a lawn alternative or use it in a rock or woodland garden that gets shade.  It tolerates light foot traffic and is resistant to rabbit browsing.  Propagate it by division or rooting stem cuttings in damp soil.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Aurea'
    Chartreuse with golden leaf tips
  • 'Variegata'
    White tips, popular Christmas plant
'Aurea', 'Variegata'
Tags:
#container plant#shade garden#lawn alternative#chartreuse#rabbit resistant#fast growing#terrarium#houseplants#foot traffic tolerant#Christmas decorations#non-toxic for horses#non-toxic for dogs#non-toxic for cats
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Aurea'
    Chartreuse with golden leaf tips
  • 'Variegata'
    White tips, popular Christmas plant
'Aurea', 'Variegata'
Tags:
#container plant#shade garden#lawn alternative#chartreuse#rabbit resistant#fast growing#terrarium#houseplants#foot traffic tolerant#Christmas decorations#non-toxic for horses#non-toxic for dogs#non-toxic for cats
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Selaginella
    Species:
    kraussiana
    Family:
    Selaginellaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Division
    Stem Cutting
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Macronesia, Africa
    Dimensions:
    Height: 0 ft. 2 in. - 0 ft. 4 in.
    Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 1 ft. 6 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Ground Cover
    Houseplant
    Habit/Form:
    Creeping
    Dense
    Spreading
    Growth Rate:
    Rapid
    Maintenance:
    Medium
    Texture:
    Fine
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    Clay
    High Organic Matter
    Soil Drainage:
    Moist
    Occasionally Wet
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Type:
    Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
    Fronds
    Hairs Present:
    No
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Container
    Houseplants
    Lawn
    Pool/Hardscape
    Rock Wall
    Woodland
    Landscape Theme:
    Rock Garden
    Shade Garden
    Design Feature:
    Accent
    Mass Planting
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Foot Traffic
    Heavy Shade
    Rabbits