Tough Clubmoss Plant Care
Huperzia crassa (Humb. & Bonpl. ex Willd.) Rothm.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Phlegmariurus crassus is a lycophyte found in Central and South America.
Every 7–14 days
Indirect light, avoid direct sun
60–75°F
50–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Tough Clubmoss?
Water Tough Clubmoss every 7–14 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it indirect light, avoid direct sun. It prefers temperatures of 60–75°F (16–24°C) and 50–70% humidity. Fertilize it every 8 months during the growing season.
Where Is the Tough Clubmoss Native To?
What Is the Tough Clubmoss?
Tough Clubmoss (Huperzia crassa) belongs to the Lycopodiaceae family within the Huperzia genus. Tough Clubmoss is native to Central and South America.
Tough Clubmoss displays a low-growing, spreading ground cover growth habit, reaching up to 0.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1 ft. Tough Clubmoss produces non-flowering plant.
Leaf size: approximately 2 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Tough Clubmoss?
Huperzia crassa requires watering every 7–14 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 7–14 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Tough Clubmoss Need?
Tough Clubmoss thrives in indirect light, avoid direct sun. Avoid placing Tough Clubmoss in direct, harsh sunlight for extended periods, as this can scorch the foliage.
Light Requirement
Indirect light, avoid direct sun
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Tough Clubmoss Prefer?
Huperzia crassa grows best at temperatures of 60–75°F. Tough Clubmoss prefers humidity levels of 50–70%. A pebble tray or humidifier helps maintain adequate moisture around the plant.
Temperature
60–75°F
Humidity
50–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Tough Clubmoss?
Well-draining, acidic soil with high organic matter content. Good drainage is essential for Tough Clubmoss to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Tough Clubmoss?
Feed Tough Clubmoss 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 Tough Clubmoss?
Repot every 1-2 years in 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 Tough Clubmoss?
Tough Clubmoss can be propagated through spores, division of rhizomes. Similar propagation techniques also apply to appalachian spikemoss plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Tough Clubmoss Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Tough 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 Tough Clubmoss?
Tough 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.
What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Tough Clubmoss Need?
Tough Clubmoss grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13a. It survives winters down to planting zone 13a. Tough Clubmoss is native to Central and South America. In cooler regions, grow Tough Clubmoss as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 13a
Keep exploring plants
Tough 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 Huperzia genus — compare its care with other Huperzia species on PlantoScan.
Huperzia is part of the Lycopodiaceae plant family — browse all Lycopodiaceae genera and species.
Tough Clubmoss thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
More Huperzia Species
Other Huperzia species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Huperzia crassa (Humb. & Bonpl. ex Willd.) Rothm., family Lycopodiaceae (first published in Feddes Repert. Spec. Nov. Regni Veg. 54: 60 (1944)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Tough 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.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 13a, 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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