Appalachian Clubmoss Plant Care
Lycopodium digitatum Dill. ex A.Braun
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Diphasiastrum digitatum is known as groundcedar, running cedar or crowsfoot, along with other members of its genus, but the common name fan clubmoss can be used to refer to it specifically. It is the most common species of Diphasiastrum in North America.
Filtered sunlight to partial shade
At a glance
How do you care for Appalachian Clubmoss?
Appalachian Clubmoss grows best in filtered sunlight to partial shade.
What Is the Appalachian Clubmoss?
Appalachian Clubmoss (Lycopodium digitatum) belongs to the Lycopodiaceae family within the Lycopodium genus. Appalachian Clubmoss is also known as Fan Clubmoss, Ground Pine.
Appalachian Clubmoss displays a low spreading ground cover growth habit, reaching up to tall with a spread of approximately . Appalachian Clubmoss produces small inconspicuous spore-producing cones.
What Light Does the Appalachian Clubmoss Need?
Appalachian Clubmoss thrives in filtered sunlight to partial shade. Avoid placing Appalachian Clubmoss 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 Appalachian Clubmoss?
Well-draining, acidic soil with high organic matter content. Good drainage is essential for Appalachian Clubmoss to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Do You Repot a Appalachian Clubmoss?
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 Appalachian Clubmoss?
Appalachian Clubmoss 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 Appalachian Clubmoss Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Appalachian Clubmoss, 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 Appalachian Clubmoss?
Appalachian Clubmoss 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
Appalachian Clubmoss 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.
Appalachian Clubmoss 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 digitatum Dill. ex A.Braun, family Lycopodiaceae (first published in Amer. J. Sci. Arts , ser. 2, 6: 81 (1848)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Appalachian Clubmoss, 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.
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