Spikemoss (Selaginella sp.) care guide

Group

Plants

Other names

Selaginella uncinata, Blue spikemoss, Peacock moss

Family

Selaginellaceae (spikemoss family)

Origin

Asia (Selaginella uncinata, the species Tropica sells)

Water

freshwater

Maximum size

10 cm

Temperature

18–28°C

Care level

expert

Lighting

Low light; high humidity needed (grown out of water)

Care

Warning: Selaginella (spikemoss) is a land (or at most bog) plant, not a true aquatic plant. Kept fully underwater it slowly weakens and dies, often over several months, so it is best grown emersed in a paludarium or with only its roots in water. Selaginella are spikemosses: low, creeping plants related to ferns rather than true mosses. Wikipedia lists the genus among plants sold as aquarium plants but also notes it is a land plant. Tropica sells Selaginella uncinata for terrariums and humid tropical layouts, not for submerged use. It is a trailing plant with densely packed blue-green leaves that forms a coloured carpet, grows vigorously once settled, and can scramble over its neighbours. Grow it in a paludarium or terrarium above the waterline, on moist substrate in low light and very humid air. Trim it as needed; it takes regular cutting back well. Tropica rates S. uncinata as easy in those conditions, with plants reaching roughly 1–10 cm tall. Sources: Tropica (tropica.com/en/plants); Wikipedia, List of freshwater aquarium plant species. Checked October 2026.

Breeding

Cut pieces of the creeping stems and lay them on moist substrate in humid air; they root along the stems. Spikemosses also spread by spores, but cuttings are the practical method.

Compatibility and tank mates

Do not sell or buy this as a true aquarium plant. It belongs in a paludarium, terrarium or on a windowsill with its roots in water, out of reach of fish.

Last updated 8 October 2026. Community-edited care guide on Aquatic-Auctions.