Krauss’s clubmoss is an evergreen perennial. In warmer areas, it can be grown as a ground cover with its dense mats of fern-like leaves. In cooler areas, it makes an excellent houseplant.
I. Appearance and Characteristics
Selaginella kraussiana is a species of vascular plant in the family Selaginellaceae. It is referred to by the common names Krauss’ spikemoss, Krauss’s clubmoss, or African clubmoss, and is found naturally in parts of Sub-Saharan Africa and in Macaronesia. It is sometimes given the misnomer of “peacock fern”, due to its lacy leaf structure, despite having no relation to actual ferns; rather, it belongs to the very ancient lineage of plants known as the clubmosses.
Growing to just 5 cm (2.0 in) high, it is a low-growing, mat-forming evergreen perennial with primitive fern-like leaves, that spreads via rooting stems.
JMK
CC BY-SA 3.0
Selaginella kraussiana is cultivated for ornamental purposes. It requires a minimum temperature of 5 °C (41 °F), and in temperate regions is grown under glass as a houseplant. The species and the cultivar ‘Brownii’ have both gained the Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Garden Merit. Other cultivars include ‘Aurea’ and ‘Gold Tips’. They prefer a sheltered spot, in full or partial shade. They require potting media that retains humidity while not staying overly wet, and drains quickly. An acidic to neutral pH (6.0–7.0) is preferable.
In the winter, a cultivar often referred to as Selaginella kraussiana ‘Frosty Fern’ is sold as a house plant due to its white-tipped foliage; however, this is more often the taller-growing Selaginella martensii, not the shorter, creeping S. kraussiana.
II. How to Grow and Care
Sunlight
Selaginella kraussiana likes to sit in full shade.
While Krauss’ Spikemoss does well in low light, brighter light levels (semy-shady) are also tolerated by Krauss’ Spikemoss.
The general rule of thumb is: The lighter the plant gets, the brighter and greener the coloration of Selaginella’s leaves will become.
In any case, make sure to keep kraussiana out of direct sunlight. Direct sunlight will hurt your plant and scorch its leaves.
Temperature
Average room temperatures 65 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit (that is 18 to 24 degrees Celsius), fare well with Selaginella kraussiana.
The African Clubmoss does not like draughts and fluctuations in temperature should also be kept to a minimum.
Colder temperatures are also tolerated by kraussiana, however, cultivation in zones prone to frost need to be avoided.
Humidity
Selaginella kraussiana requires high humidity of 70% or more to thrive.
Humidity is the key factor when cultivating kraussiana. It requires very high humidity.
If you are not able to provide kraussiana with the required humidity, things will definitely not turn out well for your leafy friend.
Don’t expect your plant to last longer than a week or two if the humidity is too low.
If you don’t cultivate your Krauss’ Spikemoss in a terrarium, your best bet will be to place it in the room that provides it with the highest humidity.
This is usually the bathroom. But that alone will most certainly not be enough to keep your African clubmoss alive.
Further, increase the humidity by placing your Krauss’ Spikemoss on a humidity tray.
Another common “humidity hack” is to actually group your kraussiana between other plants. This will also help a lot in maintaining high levels of humidity.
Regularly misting the plant is also recommended, however, the impact that this will have on your plant, won’t be dramatic.
Watering
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.
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.
Fertilizing
If you use a 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.
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.
Propagation
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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Plant the cutting in the soil depression, ensuring that the portion with roots is lightly covered with a layer of soil.
- 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.
- A day or two before you plan to divide the mother plant, water it well.
- When you’re ready to divide your selaginella kraussiana, don your gardening gloves and carefully tip the mother plant out of its pot.
- 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.
- Fill plant pots partway with potting soil. Replant the divisions into the pots.
- Water your new plants well and care for them as usual.
Potting
The best way to keep Selaginella kraussiana is not exactly in a pot as it is a terrarium kind of plant.
If you happen to have a terrarium, better place it in there. Your Clubmoss will love the constant high humidity that it can get in that kind of environment!
Instead of cultivating kraussiana in a terrarium, a bottled garden could also be a good choice for your Clubmoss, as this will, as well, ensure high humidity levels.
If you are unfamiliar with the term bottle garden, this simply means that you are going to cultivate your plant inside a specific glass container or even a plastic bottle.
In a few simple steps, you can easily create your own bottle garden.
More often than not, repotting is not even a concern with Krauss’ Spikemoss, as these plants often don’t last long enough to be transplanted into a new pot.
Pests and Diseases
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
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.
III. Uses and Benefits
As discussed earlier on, the kraussiana, an excellent ground cover, makes for a great terrarium plant.
The cultivar Krauss’ Spikemoss “Aurea” with its bright color is exceptionally well suited for that purpose.
Another Selaginellas that is used in terrariums is the dark green Selaginella moellendorffii, which also looks great when coupled with a bonsai.
That said, Krauss’ Spikemoss also looks great in hanging baskets.
