Leskea lucens Plant Care

Leskea lucens (Hedw.) Lam. & DC.

Updated · Sources · How we source care data

Hookeria lucens, the shining hookeria, is a species of moss in the family Hookeriaceae. It is native to Europe, east to the Caucasus, Turkey and China, as well as Scandinavia and the Faeroe Islands and western North America.

Water

Every 3–5 days

Light

Low to medium indirect light

Temp

55–75°F

Humidity

60–80%

At a glance

How do you care for Leskea lucens?

Water Leskea lucens every 3–5 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it low to medium indirect light. It prefers temperatures of 55–75°F (13–24°C) and 60–80% humidity. Fertilize it every 8 months during the growing season.

Where Is the Leskea lucens Native To?

Native range48 countries

What Is the Leskea lucens?

Leskea lucens (Leskea lucens) belongs to the Leskeaceae family within the Leskea genus. Leskea lucens is native to Europe, east to the Caucasus, Turkey and China, as well as Scandinavia and the Faeroe Islands and western North America.

Leskea lucens displays a low mat-forming growth habit, reaching up to 0.1 ft tall with a spread of approximately 0.5 ft. Leskea lucens produces small inconspicuous flowers.

Leaf size: approximately 0.1 inches.

How Often Should You Water a Leskea lucens?

Leskea lucens requires watering every 3–5 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 3–5 days

Let soil partially dry between waterings

What Light Does the Leskea lucens Need?

Leskea lucens thrives in low to medium indirect light. The optimal light range is 50–200 lux. Avoid placing Leskea lucens in direct, harsh sunlight for extended periods, as this can scorch the foliage.

Light Requirement

Low to medium indirect light

50–200 lux

What Temperature and Humidity Does the Leskea lucens Prefer?

Leskea lucens grows best at temperatures of 55–75°F. Leskea lucens prefers humidity levels of 60–80%. A pebble tray or humidifier helps maintain adequate moisture around the plant.

Temperature

55–75°F

Humidity

60–80%

What Soil Mix Works Best for a Leskea lucens?

Moist, acidic soil with high organic content like peat moss and perlite. Good drainage is essential for Leskea lucens to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

How Often Should You Fertilize a Leskea lucens?

Feed Leskea lucens 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 Leskea lucens?

Not applicable, grows naturally in soil. 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 Leskea lucens?

Leskea lucens can be propagated through spores. Similar propagation techniques also apply to leskea attenuata plant care, which shares the same genus.

Is the Leskea lucens Toxic to Pets and Children?

Pet safety not verified

The ASPCA does not list Leskea lucens, 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 Leskea lucens?

Leskea lucens is susceptible to generally pest-resistant. 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 Leskea lucens Need?

Leskea lucens grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12b. It survives winters down to planting zone 12b. Leskea lucens is native to Europe, east to the Caucasus, Turkey and China, as well as Scandinavia and the Faeroe Islands and western North America. In cooler regions, grow Leskea lucens as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.

Hardiness Zone

Zone 12b

Keep exploring plants

Leskea lucens 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 Leskea genus — compare its care with other Leskea species on PlantoScan.

Leskea is part of the Leskeaceae plant family — browse all Leskeaceae genera and species.

Leskea lucens copes with lower light than most plants — browse the full list of low-light plants.

Related Plant Care Guides

Closely related plants with similar care requirements:

Sources

  • Scientific name & taxonomy: Leskea lucens (Hedw.) Lam. & DC., family Leskeaceae (first published in Fl. Franç. (ed. 3) 2: 513 1805) — World Flora Online record.
  • Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Leskea lucens, 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 12b, 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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