Selaginella kraussiana

RHS Plant Profile

Kraus's clubmoss

RHS 1999

Other common names

mat spike moss, spreading clubmoss, trailing spike moss

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A vigorous mat-forming perennial with rooting stems to 5cm tall, bearing small, scale-like leaves giving a fern-like appearance. An ideal plant for terrariums and bottle gardens

Position

Full shade, Partial shade

Soil Types

Loam

Max Height

Up to 10 cm

Max Spread

1-1.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 1–2 years
Max Spread: 1-1.5 metres
Max Height: Up to 10 cm

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): H2

Colour & Scent

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Selaginellaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: 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
Plant Range: Macaronesia, Africa

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. An ideal plant for terrariums and bottle gardens

Propagation

Sow spores at 21°C as soon as they are ripe. Divide rhizomes or rooted stems in spring

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Patio and container plants

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

Generally peat-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free