Ground Pine Plant Care
Lycopodium complanatum L.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Diphasiastrum complanatum, common names groundcedar, creeping jenny, or northern running-pine, is a species of clubmoss native to dry coniferous forests in colder northerly parts of the world. Under the original name Lycopodium complanatum, this was an inclusive superspecies that included a number of other species now known to be biologically separate.
Filtered sunlight to partial shade
At a glance
How do you care for Ground Pine?
Ground Pine grows best in filtered sunlight to partial shade.
What Is the Ground Pine?
Ground Pine (Lycopodium complanatum) belongs to the Lycopodiaceae family within the Lycopodium genus. Ground Pine is native to dry coniferous forests in colder northerly parts of the world. Ground Pine is also known as Creeping Jenny, Trailing Clubmoss.
Ground Pine displays a low spreading ground cover growth habit, reaching up to tall with a spread of approximately . Ground Pine produces small inconspicuous spore-producing cones.
What Light Does the Ground Pine Need?
Ground Pine thrives in filtered sunlight to partial shade. Avoid placing Ground Pine in direct, harsh sunlight for extended periods, as this can scorch the foliage.
Light Requirement
Filtered sunlight to partial shade
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Ground Pine?
Well-draining, acidic soil with high organic matter content. Good drainage is essential for Ground Pine to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Do You Repot a Ground Pine?
Repot every 2-3 years in early 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 Ground Pine?
Ground Pine can be propagated through spores, division of rhizomes. Similar propagation techniques also apply to stiff clubmoss plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Ground Pine Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Ground Pine, 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 Ground Pine?
Ground Pine 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.
Keep exploring plants
Ground Pine 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 Lycopodium genus — compare its care with other Lycopodium species on PlantoScan.
Lycopodium is part of the Lycopodiaceae plant family — browse all Lycopodiaceae genera and species.
Ground Pine produces blooms — browse other flowering plants.
More Lycopodium Species
Other Lycopodium species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Lycopodium complanatum L., family Lycopodiaceae (first published in Sp. Pl. 2: 1104. 1753 [1 May 1753]) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Ground Pine, 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.
- 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.
Identify Plants Like the
Ground Pine Instantly
Scan any plant with your phone camera and get instant ID, care tips, water and fertilizer reminders, and health checks — all in one app.
Free
to download
iOS & Android
platforms
Light & dark
mode
100,000+
species