Selaginella uncinata

RHS Plant Profile
peacock moss

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Other common names

blue spike moss, rainbow fern

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Herbaceous Perennial
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A spreading or trailing, stem-rooting, semi-evergreen perennial forming a mat of finely divided moss like, metallic blue-green leaves

Position

Partial shade

Soil Types

Loam, Clay

Max Height

Up to 10 cm

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
2–5 years
Max Spread
0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height
Up to 10 cm

Growing Conditions

Loam Clay
Moisture
Moist but well–drained or Poorly–drained
pH
Neutral or Acid

Position

Partial shade
Aspect
West–facing or East–facing or North–facing
Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

  • H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
  • H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
  • H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
  • H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
  • H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
  • H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
  • H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
  • H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
  • H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)
H1B

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Selaginellaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Semi evergreen
Habit
Matforming
Genus
Selaginella are evergreen rhizomatous perennials which may be small and tufted or tall and scrambling, the slender stems covered with small scale-like leaves; spores develop in short terminal spikes
Name Status
Correct

How to Grow

Cultivation

Under glass, grow in peat-free, loam-based compost with added leaf mould. Water freely and feed monthly from April to September. Outside grow in moderately fertile, humus-rich, moist, neutral to acid soil in partial shade and provide winter protection. In cold areas, grow in containers and overwinter indoors

Propagation

Propagate by division or spores

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Conservatory and greenhouse

Pruning

No pruning required. Can prune out dead and faded growth as necessary

Pests

May be susceptible to slugs or snails.

Diseases

Generally disease-free