Club moss
Lycopodium clavatum · Lycopodiaceae
The gardener's calendar
Ideal time to plant club moss: set it out when the soil is neither frozen nor waterlogged, and water generously as it establishes.
ID card
- Form
- Primitive fern (Cryptogam)
- Foliage
- Evergreen, light to medium green
- Adult size
- 15 to 30 cm in height, creeping habit
- Growth
- Very slow
- Hardiness
- Very hardy (down to -20°C)
- Origin
- Temperate and boreal zones of Europe, Asia and North America
- Natural habitat
- Forests, heathlands, wetlands and acidic areas
Care
Light and Exposure
Club moss prefers partial shade to full shade. Position it away from direct sunlight, in a cool and secluded spot. It thrives in wooded environments or under dense plant cover.
Watering
Keep the substrate constantly moist but not waterlogged. Water regularly, especially during active growth periods. This primitive fern loves humid environments and dreads prolonged drought.
Substrate and Soil
Use an acidic and well-draining substrate: a mix of peat, sphagnum moss and leaf mould. Club moss appreciates soils low in limestone. Good substrate aeration prevents rot of creeping rhizomes.
Pruning and Maintenance
No pruning is necessary. Simply remove any dead or dried parts as needed. The natural, low creeping habit should be respected.
Fertilizer
Club moss requires very little fertilizer. A light application of diluted liquid fertilizer once or twice during the growing period is more than enough. Avoid excess feeding, which could weaken this primitive plant.
Pests and Diseases
Rarely affected by pests. The main threat is rot caused by stagnant moisture or permanent condensation. Ensure good air circulation. Mealybugs can rarely affect it.
Did you know?
Club moss produces a very fine and highly flammable powder called lycopodium, once used in pyrotechnics and as stage powder to create spectacular flames. This primitive fern has remained virtually unchanged for over 400 million years, making it a true living fossil of the plant kingdom.
Where to buy it
Plant in spring or early autumn, avoiding spells of intense heat. Pick a plant with healthy foliage and roots that are not exposed. Best time: March, April, May, September.
Add this plant to my garden →Plants from the same family
- Spinulum annotinumSpinulum annotinum
- Lycopodiella inundataLycopodiella inundata
- Fir ClubmossHuperzia selago
- Diphasiastrum complanatumDiphasiastrum complanatum
- Alpine clubmossDiphasiastrum alpinum
- Palhinhaea cernuaPalhinhaea cernua
Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.