Selaginella martensii

RHS Plant Profile
Martens club moss

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Conservatory Greenhouse

An evergreen perennial to 20cm tall, with trailing or arching, fern-like stems bearing small glossy dark green scale-leaves

Position

Full shade, Partial shade

Soil Types

Loam

Max Height

0.1-0.5 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

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

Growing Conditions

Loam
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid or Neutral

Position

Full shade Partial shade
Aspect
North–facing or West–facing or East–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
Evergreen
Habit
Trailing
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

In frost-prone areas grow under glass in a mixture of two parts peat-free, loam-based compost and one part leafmould, in bright but filtered light. Requires a minimum temperature of 5-7C in the winter months

Propagation

Sow spores at 21C (70F) as soon as they are ripe. Divide the rhizomes of rooted stems in the spring

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Patio and container plants

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free