Willdenow's Spikemoss Plant Care
Selaginella willdenowii (Desv.) Baker
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Selaginella willdenowii is a species of vascular plant in the Selaginellaceae family. It is a spikemoss known by the common names Willdenow's spikemoss and peacock fern due to its iridescent blue leaves.
Bright indirect light
At a glance
How do you care for Willdenow's Spikemoss?
Willdenow's Spikemoss grows best in bright indirect light.
What Is the Willdenow's Spikemoss?
Willdenow's Spikemoss (Selaginella willdenowii) belongs to the Selaginellaceae family within the Selaginella genus. Willdenow's Spikemoss is also known as Peacock Spikemoss.
Willdenow's Spikemoss displays a low-growing, spreading groundcover growth habit, reaching up to tall with a spread of approximately . Willdenow's Spikemoss produces non-flowering plant.
What Light Does the Willdenow's Spikemoss Need?
Willdenow's Spikemoss thrives in bright indirect light. Avoid placing Willdenow's Spikemoss 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 Willdenow's Spikemoss?
Moist, well-draining soil with high organic matter content. Good drainage is essential for Willdenow's Spikemoss to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Do You Repot a Willdenow's Spikemoss?
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 Willdenow's Spikemoss?
Willdenow's Spikemoss can be propagated through spores, division of rhizomes. Similar propagation techniques also apply to none plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Willdenow's Spikemoss Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Willdenow's Spikemoss, 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 Willdenow's Spikemoss?
Willdenow's Spikemoss 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
Willdenow's Spikemoss 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.
Willdenow's Spikemoss 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 willdenowii (Desv.) Baker, family Selaginellaceae (first published in Gard. Chron. 1867(no. 30): 783 (1867)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Willdenow's Spikemoss, 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
Willdenow's Spikemoss 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