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Peacock Moss Selaginella uncinata

Phonetic Spelling
sel-ah-gih-NEL-ah un-sin-AY-tah
Description

Peacock Moss is native to southern China and is the sole genus of vascular plants in the family Selaginellaceae. Its common name is derived from its iridescent blue foliage, which can be more pronounced under minimal lighting.  

A plant with fern-like foliage that is classified as a moss due to its low growing, spreading habit.  

Plant it in shady nooks of the garden, containers, or hanging baskets or in a terrarium.  A low, diminutive spreading groundcover with blue-green leaves commonly grown in greenhouses, nurseries, and areas along the Gulf Coast.

Propagation can be easily accomplished by division and stem cuttings.  Rooting from the tips of the foliage allows for easy division.  

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:  Locating in direct sunlight can scorch the foliage. Slugs can be a problem.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#evergreen#houseplant#easy to grow#shade garden#rabbit resistant#hanging baskets#moist soil#blue-green leaves#easy to propagate#humidity tolerant#foot traffic tolerant#tropical#dry soils intolerant#heavy shade tolerant#container plant#easy to grow houseplant
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#evergreen#houseplant#easy to grow#shade garden#rabbit resistant#hanging baskets#moist soil#blue-green leaves#easy to propagate#humidity tolerant#foot traffic tolerant#tropical#dry soils intolerant#heavy shade tolerant#container plant#easy to grow houseplant
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Selaginella
    Species:
    uncinata
    Family:
    Selaginellaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Division
    Stem Cutting
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    China
    Play Value:
    Easy to Grow
    Shade
    Textural
    Dimensions:
    Height: 0 ft. 3 in. - 0 ft. 6 in.
    Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 1 ft. 6 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Ground Cover
    Houseplant
    Habit/Form:
    Creeping
    Dense
    Horizontal
    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
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Alkaline (>8.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Moist
    Available Space To Plant:
    Less than 12 inches
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b
  • Flowers:
    Flower Description:
    No flowers
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Color:
    Blue
    Green
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Leaf Type:
    Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
    Fronds
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Other/more complex
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Description:
    Delicate, blue-green iridescent leaves.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Container
    Hanging Baskets
    Pond
    Woodland
    Landscape Theme:
    Rain Garden
    Shade Garden
    Design Feature:
    Accent
    Mass Planting
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Humidity
    Rabbits