How to Care for Selaginella Kraussiana, the Perfect Terrarium Plant for Beginners

Selaginella kraussiana is a low-growing groundcover plant native to Africa. Also called Krauss's clubmoss or spikemoss, this shade-loving species resembles moss, spreading rapidly in dense mats across the ground, but is related to ferns. Selaginella kraussiana grows best with shady conditions, lots of moisture and humidity, and clay soils high in organic matter. It can be kept as a houseplant in a pot, dish garden, or terrarium.

Selaginella Kraussiana Care

• Put selaginella kraussiana in a place with full to partial shade.
• Plant selaginella kraussiana in rich soil that holds moisture.
• Give this plant plenty of water to keep it moist.
• Fertilize selaginella kraussiana twice a year during the growing season.
  

Light

In its native habitat, selaginella kraussiana grows on shady forest floors. Replicate these conditions by keeping your plant in low to medium indirect light. Make sure to keep it out of direct sunlight, which can scorch its fronds.

Soil

Selaginella kraussiana thrives naturally in moist loamy or clay soils that are high in organic matter. Plant it in a standard houseplant potting mix that contains lots of peat moss or coconut coir.

Water

This moisture-loving plant needs regular water to thrive, although it can handle brief periods of dry soil. Use room-temperature water, as cold water can damage your plant.

Temperature and Humidity

Selaginella kraussiana can survive temperatures down to 40 degrees but prefers a climate around 70 degrees. It thrives in high-humidity conditions, so it's a good idea to run a humidifier near your plant. You can also keep it enclosed in a terrarium, cloche, tabletop greenhouse, or glass cabinet to hold in humidity.

Fertilizer

If you use potting mix rich in nutrients, your selaginella kraussiana probably doesn't need fertilizer right away. If it's been a year or two, though, you'll want to feed the plant with a balanced liquid houseplant fertilizer diluted to half strength two times during the spring and summer.

Types of Selaginella Kraussiana

• 'Aurea': Also called golden spikemoss, this cultivar features chartreuse fronds flecked with green or gold.
• 'Brownii': This cultivar offers vivid green foliage and a mounding growth habit.
• 'Variegata': Also known as frosty fern, this cultivar's dark green fronds are tipped with white.
  

Pruning

Because selaginella kraussiana can spread rapidly in favorable conditions, you may feel the need to manage its growth. Cut back up to half of the plant to control its shape or curb its spread. Save pruned foliage to propagate into new plants.

Propagating Selaginella Kraussiana

Selaginella kraussiana reproduces via spores rather than seeds, so it's not possible to propagate the plant from seeds. However, it's easy to root cuttings or divide this groundcover plant to create new plants. Here's how:

Propagating Selaginella Kraussiana from Stem Cuttings

You'll need clean, sharp scissors or pruners, a dish or plant pot with drainage holes, potting soil, and water. Here's how to propagate selaginella kraussiana using rooted stem cuttings.

1. Choose a healthy section of foliage on the mother plant. Use your scissors to remove a portion of the plant's foliage with its root system attached.
2. Fill a small plant pot with potting mix and water well to moisten it. Make a small depression in the soil surface with your finger.
3. Plant the cutting in the soil depression, ensuring that the portion with roots is lightly covered with a layer of soil.
4. Keep the soil evenly moist. The cutting should begin to take root. New fronds are a sign that the cutting has rooted successfully.

Propagating Selaginella Kraussiana by Division

You can easily propagate a healthy, mature plant into multiple plants by dividing it. You'll need gardening gloves (optional), small plant pots, fresh potting soil, and water.

1. A day or two before you plan to divide the mother plant, water it well.
2. When you're ready to divide your selaginella kraussiana, don your gardening gloves and carefully tip the mother plant out of its pot.
3. Using your fingers, gently tease the root ball apart into two or more sections, ensuring the foliage and root system in each section remain intact.
4. Fill plant pots partway with potting soil. Replant the divisions into the pots.
5. Water your new plants well and care for them as usual.

Common Pests & Plant Diseases 

Selaginella kraussiana isn't impacted by many pests, and it's even resistant to damage from rabbits or foot traffic when kept outdoors. However, root rot can affect plants kept in overly wet, soggy soil.

Common Problems With Selaginella Kraussiana

Browning Tips

Browning tips on selaginella kraussiana are a typical sign that the plant isn't getting enough water or that conditions are overly dry. Check soil moisture frequently and water accordingly. Consider running a humidifier near your plant or keeping it in a terrarium or other closed environment to boost moisture in the air.

Fronds Turning Brown

Tan or light brown spots appearing on your selaginella kraussiana's fronds can be a sign of sunburn, especially if it's in a place with lots of light. Move your plant to a shadier spot out of direct sunlight.

Wilting Fronds

Wilting fronds, especially if they're also turning yellow, are a common sign of root rot. Check to make sure your plant's roots aren't sitting in water. Cut back on watering and allow the soil to dry out fully before watering again.