#selaginella

Plant of the Day

Sunday 1 February 2026

The evergreen rhizomatous perennial, Selaginella vogelii (spike moss) grows naturally in the tropical rainforests of West and Central Africa. It is found on the forest floor, in moist, shaded, and high-humidity habitats. Conditions need to replicate these environments with bright, indirect light, avoiding scorch from direct sunlight. The substrate needs to be a well-drained, humus-rich mix which needs to be consistently moist but not waterlogged. High humidity (70% or higher) is crucial for this species, making it a good specimen for terrariums, bottle gardens, or humid glasshouses.

Here goes my second paludarium -

this one is for me only, no fish, no shrimp, just moss, a rescued fern from the previous project and selaginella, my love❤️

And yes I also got some other plants because they surprised me with more than just orchids at the “Orchid” sale. I’m really excited about those too.

Also I’m in a computer lab because I had to walk across campus to work on a project right after.

AKA Selaginella azorica, Selaginella canescens, Krauss' spikemoss, African clubmoss and 'peacock fern'.

Native to the volcanic archipelagos of the Eastern Atlantic, and parts of south and east Africa. Since its introduction to Britain in 1878 it has spread slowly, and was first recorded in the wild in 1917, but an increasingly frequent greenhouse weed. Invasive in Australia and NZ, forming dense mats in shaded areas as in the photos above.

A few species of the 750 Selaginella are desert plants that curl up in a tight, brown or reddish ball during dry times, and uncurl and turn green after rain.