Common Hornwort Plant Care
Phaeoceros laevis (L.) Prosk.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Phaeoceros laevis, the smooth hornwort, is a species of hornwort of the genus Phaeoceros. It is commonly found in areas where moisture is plentiful, such as moist soils in fields, the banks of streams and rivers or inundated beneath the surface of the rivers.
Bright indirect to low light
At a glance
How do you care for Common Hornwort?
Common Hornwort grows best in bright indirect to low light.
What Is the Common Hornwort?
Common Hornwort (Phaeoceros laevis) belongs to the Notothyladaceae family within the Phaeoceros genus. Common Hornwort is native to areas.
Common Hornwort displays a low rosette, spreading growth habit, reaching up to tall with a spread of approximately . Common Hornwort produces non-flowering.
What Light Does the Common Hornwort Need?
Common Hornwort thrives in bright indirect to low light. Avoid placing Common Hornwort in direct, harsh sunlight for extended periods, as this can scorch the foliage.
Light Requirement
Bright indirect to low light
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Common Hornwort?
Moist, well-draining soil mix with high organic content. Good drainage is essential for Common Hornwort to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Do You Repot a Common Hornwort?
Does not require repotting. 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 Common Hornwort?
Common Hornwort can be propagated through spores. Similar propagation techniques also apply to carolina hornwort plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Common Hornwort Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Common Hornwort, 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 Common Hornwort?
Common Hornwort is susceptible to not commonly affected by pests. 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
Common Hornwort 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 Phaeoceros genus — compare its care with other Phaeoceros species on PlantoScan.
Phaeoceros is part of the Notothyladaceae plant family — browse all Notothyladaceae genera and species.
Common Hornwort 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: Phaeoceros laevis (L.) Prosk., family Notothyladaceae (first published in Bull. Torrey Bot. Club 78: 347 1951) — World Flora Online record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Common Hornwort, 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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