Characteristics
| Hardiness zone | 6b |
|---|---|
| Foliage type | evergreen |
| Plant form | upright spreading |
| Mature height | 12 inches |
| Spread | 12 inches |
| Light requirements | partial shade to shade |
| Moisture requirements | average to moist |
| Plant origin | import |
Spikemoss
Botanical name: Selaginella involvens
A very attractive fern relative that has erect clumps of dark, evergreen, fan-like leaves that spiral along short stems; this plant resembles a small conifer; perfect for shaded indoor areas.
Other names: Arborvitae Fern, Clubmoss
Spikemoss' attractive ferny leaves emerge coppery-bronze, turning green in color throughout the year. The flowers are not ornamentally significant.
This is a dense herbaceous evergreen houseplant with an upright spreading habit of growth. Its relatively fine texture sets it apart from other indoor plants with less refined foliage. This plant should not require much pruning, except when necessary to keep it looking its best.
Planting and Growing
When grown indoors, Spikemoss can be expected to grow to be about 12 inches tall at maturity, with a spread of 12 inches. It grows at a medium rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 10 years. This houseplant performs well in both bright or indirect sunlight and strong artificial light, and can therefore be situated in almost any well-lit room or location. It prefers to grow in average to moist soil. The surface of the soil shouldn't be allowed to dry out completely, and so you should expect to water this plant once and possibly even twice each week. Be aware that your particular watering schedule may vary depending on its location in the room, the pot size, plant size and other conditions; if in doubt, ask one of our experts in the store for advice. It is not particular as to soil pH, but grows best in rich soil. Contact the store for specific recommendations on pre-mixed potting soil for this plant.
There are many factors that will affect the ultimate height, spread and overall performance of a plant when grown indoors; among them, the size of the pot it's growing in, the amount of light it receives, watering frequency, the pruning regimen and repotting schedule. Use the information described here as a guideline only; individual performance can and will vary. Please contact the store to speak with one of our experts if you are interested in further details concerning recommendations on pot size, watering, pruning, repotting, etc.
