Selaginella spp. Green

Green Selaginella (Selaginella sp.) is a soft, mossy spikemoss that carpets shaded ground where grass and most groundcovers give up. It stays low, around 15cm high and spreading to about 40cm per plant, and the fine bright green fronds catch light in a way that makes a dim corner look intentional rather than neglected. It is an ancient group of plants, closer to ferns than to anything flowering, and it wants exactly what a fern wants: shade, warmth and moisture.

Why you'll love it

• A living carpet for deep shade. It thrives in positions too dark for lawn or most groundcovers, filling in around ferns and under benches.
• It likes damp ground. Wet feet tolerant, so the low spot that stays soggy after rain is an asset rather than a problem.
• Fine texture at ground level. The tight lacy foliage contrasts well against broad tropical leaves and hard surfaces like stone and timber.
• Happy in a pot or terrarium. Indoors it works in a humid bathroom, a closed terrarium or as underplanting in a large container.

Where it works best

Shaded groundcover. Plant 20cm apart for a continuous green mat. At that spacing the fronds knit together within a season in warm, moist conditions.

Borders and edging. It softens the edge of a shaded path or a stepping stone run, spilling gently over the margin without ever needing a trim.

Pots and indoors. A shallow bowl or terrarium suits it, and indoors it needs a bright but sunless spot with humidity. Dry air is the usual reason an indoor plant browns off.

Growing selaginella in Australia

Position and climate. Full to part shade, never direct sun, which scorches the fine foliage within a day. It suits tropical, subtropical and warm temperate gardens. It is frost tender, so in cooler southern gardens grow it in a pot or indoors rather than in the ground.

Soil. Rich and moisture retentive, with plenty of compost or leaf litter worked through. Unlike most plants it will accept ground that stays damp, though it still prefers not to sit in standing water.

Water and feed. Consistent moisture is the whole job. Water two or three times a week in warm weather and never let it dry out completely, because a dried spikemoss browns quickly and is slow to recover. A dilute liquid feed monthly through spring and summer is enough.

Pruning. None needed. Pull away any browned patches by hand and the surrounding growth closes the gap within weeks.

What to expect when it arrives

This one is sold as a 330mm plant tile, which is a mat of established plants grown together on a single square. Tiles are the fastest way to green a shaded area: you lay them straight onto prepared soil rather than planting and waiting for individual plants to run together. One tile covers roughly a third of a square metre.

Expect the foliage to look flat and a little tired on arrival, which is normal after transit in a box. Keep it moist and shaded and it lifts within a week. Delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95 and a minimum order of $300 before delivery. Every plant is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• Browse the full plant tile range
• The best groundcovers for shaded gardens
• Ferns for shady areas
• Plants for full shade

Common questions

How many tiles do I need?

Each 330mm tile covers roughly a third of a square metre, so three tiles per square metre laid edge to edge gives instant cover. Spaced further apart they knit together over a season.

Will it grow in full sun?

No. Direct sun burns the fine foliage very quickly. Shade or dappled light under a canopy is essential, which is exactly what makes it useful.

Can I walk on it?

Only very lightly. It is not a lawn substitute and will not take regular traffic. Use stepping stones through it and let the foliage soften the edges.