Tree Clubmoss Plant Care
Lycopodium obscurum L.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Dendrolycopodium obscurum, synonym Lycopodium obscurum, commonly called rare clubmoss, ground pine, or princess pine, is a North American species of clubmoss in the family Lycopodiaceae. It is a close relative of other species such as D.
Filtered sunlight to partial shade
At a glance
How do you care for Tree Clubmoss?
Tree Clubmoss grows best in filtered sunlight to partial shade.
Where Is the Tree Clubmoss Native To?
What Is the Tree Clubmoss?
Tree Clubmoss (Lycopodium obscurum) belongs to the Lycopodiaceae family within the Lycopodium genus. Tree Clubmoss is native to the eastern United States and southeastern Canada from Georgia to Minnesota to Nova Scotia. Tree Clubmoss is also known as Princess Pine, Ground Pine, Fan Clubmoss.
Tree Clubmoss displays a low spreading ground cover growth habit, reaching up to tall with a spread of approximately . Tree Clubmoss produces small inconspicuous spore-producing cones.
What Light Does the Tree Clubmoss Need?
Tree Clubmoss thrives in filtered sunlight to partial shade. Avoid placing Tree 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 Tree Clubmoss?
Well-draining, acidic soil with high organic matter content. Good drainage is essential for Tree Clubmoss to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Do You Repot a Tree 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 Tree Clubmoss?
Tree 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 Tree Clubmoss Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Tree 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 Tree Clubmoss?
Tree 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
Tree 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.
Tree 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 obscurum L., family Lycopodiaceae (first published in Sp. Pl. : 1102 (1753)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Tree 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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