Palhinhaea cernua
Palhinhaea cernua · Lycopodiaceae
The gardener's calendar
Ideal time to plant palhinhaea cernua: set it out when the soil is neither frozen nor waterlogged, and water generously as it establishes.
ID card
- Common name
- Pendant clubmoss, Pendulous selaginella
- Family
- Lycopodiaceae
- Foliage
- Evergreen, very fine and delicate
- Adult size
- 20 to 40 cm in height, trailing habit
- Growth
- Slow
- Hardiness
- Tropical plant, non-hardy (10°C minimum)
- Origin
- Humid tropical regions of Africa and Asia
- Soil type
- Peat, light potting mix, well-draining and moist
Care
Watering
Keep the substrate constantly moist without waterlogging. Water regularly, especially during the growing season and in dry climates. Mist the foliage several times a week to recreate the tropical humidity this plant needs. Preferably use soft or filtered water.
Light exposure
Place the plant in indirect light, away from direct sun rays which would scorch its delicate foliage. It tolerates partial shade or filtered light near a window well. Avoid cold and hot drafts.
Soil and substrate
Use a mixture rich in blonde peat, supplemented with perlite or moss for lightness and drainage. The substrate must remain porous and moist. Adding live sphagnum promotes optimal development of this epiphytic plant.
Fertilizer
Apply a highly diluted liquid fertilizer during spring and summer growth, once or twice a month. Prefer a balanced formulation or one slightly enriched in nitrogen. Reduce applications in winter. This delicate plant tolerates excessive fertilization poorly.
Pruning and maintenance
No strict pruning is necessary: this plant grows naturally in elegant trailing forms. Simply remove any dry or damaged parts. Gently clean the foliage with a very soft brush if dust accumulates.
Diseases and pests
Watch for spider mites in dry air: increase humidity through misting. Mealybugs may appear if ventilation is poor. Basal rot can occur if the substrate remains waterlogged for too long; check the pot drainage and reduce watering.
Did you know?
Palhinhaea cernua is a living relic from the Carboniferous era: its ancestors dominated prehistoric forests long before the appearance of modern ferns. Unlike ferns, this plant reproduces through tiny spores without leaflets, a remarkably ancient reproductive strategy preserved for over 300 million years.
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
- Club mossLycopodium clavatum
- Lycopodiella inundataLycopodiella inundata
- Fir ClubmossHuperzia selago
- Diphasiastrum complanatumDiphasiastrum complanatum
- Alpine clubmossDiphasiastrum alpinum
Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.