Krauss's spikemoss

Shoot and leaf structure

The shoots creep or grow upward and branch dichotomously: each tip appears to split in two, and these repeated divisions form a dense green mat. Indoors, this structure defines the plant's appearance—it spreads horizontally rather than growing as a single upright stem.

The leaf blades are small and green, with a single vein and smooth or finely toothed edges. At the base of each leaf is a ligule—a tiny scale characteristic of Selaginella and an important part of its structure, though it is not always visible without magnification.

• creeping or ascending stems
• dichotomously branching shoots
• small leaf blades with a single vein
• a ligule at the base of each leaf
• branching roots associated with rhizophores

The roots also branch dichotomously and often develop at the ends of rhizophores. This structure makes the plant sensitive to rough loosening of the potting mix and abrupt disturbance of the root ball.

Origin and natural life cycle

The species is native to Africa and the Azores. For indoor growing, this is not simply background information but a guide to its care: the plant is not adapted to prolonged drying, and its life cycle depends on moisture.

The genus Selaginella contains 750 species and occurs in various parts of the world, mostly in the tropics. Some species are grown as greenhouse plants because their delicate foliage stays in better condition where humidity and other conditions are stable.

Indoor care therefore centers on maintaining a consistent environment rather than encouraging rapid growth. Sudden changes in humidity and light show up sooner on such a small plant than on species with large storage organs.

Names and classification

In everyday writing, the genus Selaginella is sometimes referred to by Ukrainian folk names meaning "little thread" and "little clubmoss," but no separate folk or trade name is established for Selaginella kraussiana; these terms describe the group, not this particular species. In a reference guide, it is more accurate to use the species name, Selaginella kraussiana.

The plant belongs to the family Selaginellaceae. It is neither a moss nor a fern in the strict sense, but a lycophyte that reproduces by spores and has distinctive leaf, stem, and spore-bearing structures.

Species within the genus have different shoot forms, from creeping to upright. In indoor cultivation, the most noticeable feature remains the fine branching that makes the plant look like a continuous green surface.

Light and placement

The small leaf blades easily lose their good looks if the air and potting mix dry out at the same time. Choose a spot without overheating or sudden blasts of dry air.

No support is needed: creeping and ascending shoots form its natural growth habit. Keep the plant where it can be watered carefully, without washing away the surface of the potting mix or breaking the fine branches.

• gentle, indirect light
• protection from overheating near glass
• no cold drafts

If the shoots become sparse, check the conditions around the plant before considering fertilizer. For Krauss's spikemoss, even moisture, stable conditions, and avoiding drying out are more often the deciding factors.

Watering and humidity

Fertilization in Selaginella takes place in a moist environment, and this biological trait helps explain its sensitivity to dryness. Indoors, keep the potting mix moist without letting it become a stagnant, soggy mass.

Water consistently: sudden drying affects the small leaves, while constantly standing water around the roots disrupts the fine root system. Water should flow through the potting mix rather than remain trapped in it.

• the root ball drying out completely
• standing water around the roots
• sudden changes in humidity

The potting mix needs to be light and moisture-retentive. Avoid compacting its surface during care, as the surface foliage and fine branches are easily damaged.

Propagation by spores

Selaginella produces microspores and megaspores on the same plant. Microspores develop into male gametophytes, and megaspores into female gametophytes; these gametophytes do not resemble the familiar flowers or seeds of houseplants.

The female gametophyte is multicellular, turns green, can photosynthesize, and produces rhizoids for attachment. After fertilization, an embryo forms with small leaves, a foot, a stem, and a root.

• microspores
• megaspores
• male gametophytes
• female gametophytes
• an embryo after fertilization

In indoor cultivation, the spore cycle is difficult to control because it depends on moisture and the plant's condition. For this reason, Krauss's spikemoss is more often regarded as a plant to maintain under stable conditions than as a species for quick propagation at home.

Common problems

Problems usually show up in the foliage: the small leaf blades respond quickly to drying out, overheating, or rough disturbance of the potting mix. A damaged patch does not always regain its appearance, so it is best not to let the plant wilt completely.

Assess yellowing, drying, and sparse shoots in the context of growing conditions rather than treating them as a single disease. Before applying treatments, check watering, compaction of the potting mix, airflow, and the stability of its location.

• leaf edges drying in dry conditions
• yellowing after water stagnates
• sparse shoots in an unsuitable spot
• damage after rough repotting
• loss of density after drying out

The plant is safe for cats and dogs, but that does not mean it should be placed where its shoots are constantly touched or pulled out of the potting mix. For a small creeping plant, physical damage is often more of a concern than toxicity.