Huperzia nutans Plant Care
Huperzia nutans (Brack.) Rothm.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Phlegmariurus nutans, synonym Huperzia nutans, known as wawaeʻiole or nodding clubmoss, is a species of club moss in the family Lycopodiaceae. It is endemic to wet forests and cliffside shrublands on the islands of Oahu and Kauai in Hawaii.
Every 7–14 days
Indirect light, avoid direct sun
60–75°F
50–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Huperzia nutans?
Water Huperzia nutans every 7–14 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it indirect light, avoid direct sun. It prefers temperatures of 60–75°F (16–24°C) and 50–70% humidity. Fertilize it every 8 months during the growing season.
Where Is the Huperzia nutans Native To?
What Is the Huperzia nutans?
Huperzia nutans (Huperzia nutans) belongs to the Lycopodiaceae family within the Huperzia genus. Huperzia nutans is native to wet forests and cliffside shrublands on the islands of Oahu and Kauai in Hawaii.
Huperzia nutans displays a low-growing, spreading ground cover growth habit, reaching up to 0.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1 ft. Huperzia nutans produces non-flowering plant.
Leaf size: approximately 2 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Huperzia nutans?
Huperzia nutans requires watering every 7–14 days. Allow the top layer of soil to dry between waterings to prevent root rot. Reduce watering frequency during winter when growth slows.
Watering Frequency
Every 7–14 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Huperzia nutans Need?
Huperzia nutans thrives in indirect light, avoid direct sun. Avoid placing Huperzia nutans in direct, harsh sunlight for extended periods, as this can scorch the foliage.
Light Requirement
Indirect light, avoid direct sun
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Huperzia nutans Prefer?
Huperzia nutans grows best at temperatures of 60–75°F. Huperzia nutans prefers humidity levels of 50–70%. A pebble tray or humidifier helps maintain adequate moisture around the plant.
Temperature
60–75°F
Humidity
50–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Huperzia nutans?
Well-draining, acidic soil with high organic matter content. Good drainage is essential for Huperzia nutans to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Huperzia nutans?
Feed Huperzia nutans every 8 months during the growing season (spring and summer) with a balanced fertilizer diluted to the strength on the label.
Pause feeding in autumn and winter, when growth slows, and never fertilize dry soil — water first.
Fertilizing
Every 8 months
During the growing season
The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.
How Do You Repot a Huperzia nutans?
Repot every 1-2 years in spring. Choose a pot one size larger than the current container, and ensure it has drainage holes to allow excess water to escape.
How Do You Propagate a Huperzia nutans?
Huperzia nutans can be propagated through spores, division of rhizomes. Similar propagation techniques also apply to appalachian spikemoss plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Huperzia nutans Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Huperzia nutans, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Keep pets from chewing it as a precaution.
This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.
See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.
What Pests and Diseases Affect the Huperzia nutans?
Huperzia nutans is susceptible to spider mites, scale insects. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.
Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.
What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Huperzia nutans Need?
Huperzia nutans grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13a. It survives winters down to planting zone 13a. Huperzia nutans is native to wet forests and cliffside shrublands on the islands of Oahu and Kauai in Hawaii. In cooler regions, grow Huperzia nutans as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 13a
Keep exploring plants
Huperzia nutans is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.
It belongs to the Huperzia genus — compare its care with other Huperzia species on PlantoScan.
Huperzia is part of the Lycopodiaceae plant family — browse all Lycopodiaceae genera and species.
Huperzia nutans thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
More Huperzia Species
Other Huperzia species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Huperzia nutans (Brack.) Rothm., family Lycopodiaceae (first published in Feddes Repert. Spec. Nov. Regni Veg. 54: 62 (1944)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Huperzia nutans, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 13a, calculated from the plant's minimum temperature.
- Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.
Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.
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