How to Grow Selaginella: A Detailed Guide to Cultivation Methods and Precautions

Many people may not be very familiar with Selaginella. Selaginella is also called the "nine-death resurrection grass," but it is not the kind of herb in martial arts novels that can bring people back to life after death! Rather, Selaginella has extremely strong vitality and can even come back to life after “dying,” making it very unique. Many people like to grow Selaginella. Now let's learn together with the editor about how to grow Selaginella!

How to Grow Selaginella

1. Soil for Selaginella

Soil with good air permeability is suitable for Selaginella growth. The soil is commonly made by mixing 1 part garden soil with 4 parts fine sand.

2. Growing temperature for Selaginella

The suitable growing temperature for Selaginella is 20°C. Under conditions of high temperature and lack of water, Selaginella will curl and contract to reduce water loss; under conditions of too-low temperature, Selaginella's metabolism weakens and growth slows. The minimum winter temperature is 0°C, and below 0°C the plant is prone to frost damage.

3. Water supply for Selaginella

Selaginella has extremely strong drought resistance. During the growing period it needs plenty of watering, and care should be taken to keep the potting soil moist. The plant likes a humid environment. In high-temperature environments, use warm water to spray the leaves. Note that cold water must not be used for spraying, as it can easily harm the leaf clusters.

4. Fertilization measures for Selaginella

Selaginella has low requirements for fertilizer supply and extremely strong vitality. During the growing period, apply a standard liquid fertilizer at a concentration of 30% once every two weeks. Try not to apply solid chemical fertilizers, because they easily cause soil compaction, which is not conducive to plant growth.

5. Placement of Selaginella

Selaginella is suitable for growing in shaded and humid places, and grows better when placed in areas with scattered light.

6. Repotting Selaginella

Potted Selaginella should use a shallow pot, because this helps the root system to be pulled out under water-deficient conditions and reduces water consumption. Every spring is a good time for repotting. If repotting is not needed, then use fresh soil to refresh the pot.

Selaginella Cultivation Methods

1. Soil

To grow Selaginella, the potting soil also needs to be loose and well-drained. Sandy soil is best, and you can also mix and prepare some soil yourself.

2. Light and temperature

Selaginella has relatively strong vitality. It likes a warm environment, and the suitable temperature during growth is about 20°C. In winter, take care that it does not go below 0°C. Selaginella likes a semi-shaded growing environment. Generally, when grown in pots, it should be placed in a shady, damp place without direct sunlight.

3. Water

Selaginella can resist drought, but during the growing period it needs a large amount of watering to keep the pot moist. Because it likes humidity, it needs to be sprayed with water frequently, but note that it should not be cold water. To fertilize Selaginella, generally fertilize once every half month.

Precautions for Growing Selaginella

1. Repotting

When growing Selaginella, it needs to be repotted. Generally, a shallow pot can be chosen, and the time for repotting is in spring. If repotting is not carried out, then the soil should also be changed.

2. Pests and diseases

When growing Selaginella, pests and diseases often appear, such as leaf spot disease, anthracnose, and so on. These are all extremely harmful and affect plant growth. The main pest is the brown soft scale, whose damage is also very great.

Generally, when pests and diseases occur on Selaginella, measures should be taken promptly for prevention and control. Diseased branches and leaves should be removed in time. For pests, manual removal should be done first, or some chemicals should be sprinkled to kill the insects.

Growth Habits of Selaginella

Selaginella is also called the "nine-death resurrection grass" because it can come back to life after “dying,” and this is precisely its peculiarity. Its growing environment is quite special. Its traces can often be found in dry rock crevices or on barren rocky slopes. When the water supply is sufficient, Selaginella absorbs water and its branches and leaves spread out, green and lovely. Once the water supply is lost, its branches and leaves lose their green color and curl up into a ball, as if dead. But relying on its unique survival skill of living when there is water and “dying” when there is none, Selaginella not only does not die of drought, but instead passes on from generation to generation and multiplies.

In summary, Selaginella has a particularly beautiful and green appearance and can be grown as a potted plant in a room or on a balcony. If you are a skillful flower lover, you can even shape your potted Selaginella! Selaginella's care method is very simple, so there is no need to worry about not being able to keep it alive!