Selaginella sp. Brown
Plant Profile
Selaginella sp. 'Brown', commonly known as Spikemoss, features feathery, branching microphylls that take on warm bronze and earthy brown undertones under moderate lighting. It can creep laterally to form a dense, mossy mat or scramble upward across textured background moss walls and wet hardscape in emersed setups like terrariums or paludariums. While it demands steady moisture, it is strictly an emersed species requiring constant air circulation, because letting the roots sit in stagnant, waterlogged mud or submerging it underwater is a fast track to rot.
Key Features & Notes
- Feathery, scale-like microphylls display warm bronze and earthy brown tones.
- Scrambling growth habit easily scales damp background panels and hardscape.
- High humidity tolerance allows steady growth in shaded, low-light zones.
Care & Planting Instructions
- Prep the plant by removing it from the pot and clearing all rockwool from the roots.
- Anchor the root cluster or stem runners against damp sphagnum moss, background foam, or an airy tropical substrate mix, keeping the foliage above the water line.
- Position under low to moderate indirect lighting, avoiding intense direct beams that scorch the delicate foliage and bleach its bronze coloration.
- Maintain ambient relative humidity above 75% while ensuring the substrate drains freely, as stagnant, soggy soil can cause yellowing and root rot.
- Prune spreading runners regularly with sharp shears to control its footprint or redirect climbing stems along background panels.
- Note that Selaginella species are strictly terrestrial and cannot survive submerged underwater in an aquarium.
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 sp. 'Brown' |
| Common Name(s) | Spikemoss, Brown Spikemoss |
| Family | Selaginellaceae |
| Plant Type | Terrestrial Lycophyte / Creeping Spikemoss |
| Care Difficulty | Easy |
| Light Requirement | Low to Moderate Indirect |
| Submersion Suitability | Emersed Only (Not for full submersion) |
| Placement / Usage | Terrarium Floor, Living Backgrounds, Vivarium Walls |
| Height / Spread | Height: 4.00"–6.00" (10–15 cm) | Spreading climber |
| Growth Rate | Moderate to Fast |
| Humidity Requirement | High (> 75% RH) |
| Propagation Method | Stem Cuttings & Runner Division |
| Origin | Tropical Africa & Brazil |
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can Selaginella sp. Brown grow submerged in an aquarium?
No. Selaginella sp. Brown is a terrestrial spikemoss, not an aquatic plant. Submerging its delicate fronds underwater cuts off oxygen exchange, causing the entire plant to melt and disintegrate within days.
2. Why are the fronds on my Selaginella turning yellow or mushy?
Yellowing, translucent, or mushy foliage typically indicates waterlogged, stagnant soil around the roots. Ensure your planting medium contains perlite, pumice, or tree fern fiber for aeration, and empty standing water pools from the bottom of your setup.
3. How do I get Selaginella sp. Brown to climb a background wall?
Pin fresh runners directly against a damp background made of hygrolon, cork bark, or epiweb using stainless steel floral pins or small toothpicks. In high ambient humidity, the stems will anchor into the surface with adventitious roots within a few weeks.