💚 The Ultimate Green Carpet!
 
🌿 Creeping Selaginella – Care Sheet
A humidity-loving spikemoss used for lush ground cover in terrariums, vivariums, and shaded indoor settings.
🌱 Terrarium Care
Parameter
Optimal Range / Notes
Lighting
Bright indirect light; no direct sun 🌥️
Humidity
80–100% — vital; sealed or high-RH terrariums only 🌫️
Temperature
18–26°C; dislikes cold drafts or dry heat
Airflow
Gentle circulation required; open 10–15 mins weekly to prevent mold
Substrate
Moist, rich, well-drained: sphagnum + coco coir + perlite mix or moss-based base
Watering
Always moist but not waterlogged; mist or bottom-water to maintain substrate moisture
Growth Habit
Fast-spreading groundcover; forms mats via creeping stems
Trimming
Prune to control spread and keep dense form ✂️
Compatibility
Excellent with mosses, ferns, and miniature orchids; can overtake delicate species
✅ Best For:
Tropical bioactive terrariums
Naturalistic or rainforest-style enclosures
Moss backgrounds or slope stabilization
🏡 Houseplant Care
Factor
Condition
Light
Bright indirect to medium filtered light
Humidity
High humidity essential — >60% minimum; bathrooms/cloches best
Temperature
18–24°C ideal; must avoid cold drafts
Potting Mix
Moisture-retentive, airy mix: 50% peat or coco coir + 25% perlite + 25% orchid bark
Container
Shallow, wide pots or decorative bowls; allow for horizontal spread
Watering
Water when top layer feels slightly dry; never let roots dry out
Fertilizing
Monthly weak liquid feed in spring/summer; skip in winter
Display Tip
Place on humidity trays or use pebble saucers with water below pot
⚠️ Do not place near heaters or open windows – Selaginella hates dry air.
🧪 Propagation
Method
Details
Division
Cut creeping stems with root nodes; replant into moist substrate
Tissue Culture
Possible but slow; requires high-humidity acclimatization
⚠️ Troubleshooting
Symptom
Likely Cause
Fix
Crispy tips or browning
Low humidity or underwatering
Increase RH, water regularly
Fading / pale growth
Too much light or low nutrients
Reduce light intensity, light feeding
Mold / fungal growth
Stagnant air + excess moisture
Improve airflow, reduce misting frequency
No growth / dieback
Cold damage or root rot
Check temp, repot in fresh mix if soggy
✅ Summary
Feature
Rating / Note
Terrarium Use
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Excellent for high-humidity environments
Houseplant Use
⭐⭐⭐☆ Needs humidity management indoors
Difficulty
Moderate — humidity is non-negotiable
Growth Speed
Moderate to fast (in correct humidity)
Best Role
Groundcover, moss-alternative, contrast against taller foliage