Peacock Fern Plant Care
Selaginella uncinata (Desv.) Spring
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Selaginella uncinata, the blue spikemoss, peacock fern, peacock spikemoss, rainbow moss, or spring blue spikemoss, is a species of plant in the Selaginellaceae family.
Bright indirect light
At a glance
How do you care for Peacock Fern?
Peacock Fern grows best in bright indirect light.
What Is the Peacock Fern?
Peacock Fern (Selaginella uncinata) belongs to the Selaginellaceae family within the Selaginella genus. Peacock Fern is also known as Blue Spikemoss, Karasuba.
Peacock Fern displays a low-growing, spreading groundcover growth habit, reaching up to tall with a spread of approximately . Peacock Fern produces non-flowering plant.
What Light Does the Peacock Fern Need?
Peacock Fern thrives in bright indirect light. Avoid placing Peacock Fern in direct, harsh sunlight for extended periods, as this can scorch the foliage.
Light Requirement
Bright indirect light
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Peacock Fern?
Moist, well-draining soil with high organic matter content. Good drainage is essential for Peacock Fern to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Do You Repot a Peacock Fern?
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 Peacock Fern?
Peacock Fern can be propagated through spores, division of rhizomes. Similar propagation techniques also apply to none plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Peacock Fern Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Peacock Fern, 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 Peacock Fern?
Peacock Fern 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
Peacock Fern 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 Selaginella genus — compare its care with other Selaginella species on PlantoScan.
Selaginella is part of the Selaginellaceae plant family — browse all Selaginellaceae genera and species.
Peacock Fern thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
More Selaginella Species
Other Selaginella species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Selaginella uncinata (Desv.) Spring, family Selaginellaceae (first published in Bull. Acad. Roy. Sci. Bruxelles 10(1): 141 (1843)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Peacock Fern, 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
Peacock Fern 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