Selaginella Kraussiana Mini Club Moss
Plant Profile
Selaginella kraussiana, commonly known as African Club Moss or Krauss' Spikemoss, is a terrestrial plant that carpets the floor in dense mats of bright emerald, branching foliage that creeps steadily across damp substrate and knits between low hardscape roots. Its fine, feathery texture softens jagged dark lava rock edges and fills shaded pockets beneath sprawling driftwood where coarser leaves look out of scale. Positioned away from direct heat and harsh light, it spreads reliably to establish a rich living floor alongside other humidity-loving plants in emersed setups.
Key Features & Notes
- Fine-textured creeping foliage weaves a dense, bright green carpet over damp substrate.
- Durable root network anchors securely and holds up well under active enclosure animals.
- Spreads readily as a ground layer across humid terrarium and paludarium floors.
Care & Planting Instructions
- Prep the plant by removing it from the pot and gently clearing all packing media from the roots.
- Spread the rooted runners across a few inches of loose, nutrient-rich tropical substrate so the rootlets have ample depth to dig in and establish.
- Provide low to medium indirect light; direct rays will quickly scorch the tips, while overly dark corners will cause thin, patchy spreading.
- Maintain humidity above 70% and keep the soil evenly moist, but ensure good bottom drainage because stagnant, waterlogged soil causes the foliage to turn yellow.
- Trim back overgrown runners with clean shears to direct growth away from slower-growing neighbors.
- Final size and carpet density depend entirely on your specific setup conditions; please note that photos are a representation, and individual plants may vary.
- Selaginella kraussiana are terrestrial plants, and being submerged will result in the death of the plants.
Quick Facts
Listed information should be treated as general guidelines only. Team Buce Plant encourages you to do thorough research to ensure healthy growth!
| Attribute | Specification |
|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Selaginella kraussiana |
| Common Name(s) | African Club Moss, Krauss' Spikemoss, Golden Moss |
| Family | Selaginellaceae |
| Plant Type | Creeping Lycophyte / Spikemoss Groundcover |
| Care Difficulty | Easy |
| Light Requirement | Low to Medium (Partial Shade) |
| Submersion Suitability | Emersed Only (Not for full submersion) |
| Placement / Usage | Foreground Carpet, Understory Groundcover, Hardscape Seams |
| Height / Size | 1"–4" (2.5–10 cm) height; spreads indefinitely |
| Growth Rate | Moderate to Fast |
| Humidity Requirement | High (> 70% RH) |
| Propagation Method | Stem Cuttings / Division |
| Origin | Southern and Tropical Africa |
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can Selaginella kraussiana survive underwater in an aquarium?
No. African Club Moss is strictly a terrestrial lycophyte. Fully submerging it underwater will quickly suffocate the foliage and cause it to rot.
2. Why are the lower leaves on my African Club Moss turning yellow?
Yellowing leaves generally indicate overwatering or poor drainage. Ensure excess moisture drains away from the substrate so the root system is not sitting in stagnant mud.
3. How do you propagate Selaginella kraussiana?
Clip a healthy section of branching stem with visible rootlets and press it directly onto damp soil or sphagnum moss; it will take root on its own within days under high humidity.