What Plant Is Selaginella? A Guide to Growing It in Pots

Many people are not clear about what kind of plant Selaginella is, but they often see this type of potted plant indoors. It is very distinctive, with a beautiful form, and looks even more charming when paired with rocks. So what plant is Selaginella? How do you grow it in a pot?

1. What plant is Selaginella?

Selaginella, also known as resurrection plant and everlasting grass, is a small lithophytic fern in the family Selaginellaceae. The plant is only about 10 cm tall, with an upright, thick main stem and water branches clustered at the top in a rosette shape. The small branches fork in a fan shape, and their form closely resembles the leaves of a cypress, which is why it is called Selaginella. In drought, its branches and leaves curl up like a bird's head, and after contact with water they quickly recover to their original state, green and lovely. Its fresh green resembles a cypress yet surpasses it. It is suitable as a small potted plant, placed on a desk for appreciation.

Selaginella is produced in all parts of northern and southern China, and is also found in Japan, Korea and other places. In nature it mostly grows on barren hills and in dry rock crevices. It is extremely drought-tolerant and also cold-tolerant, and very tough. If grown as an ornamental potted plant, it must be given loose, well-drained soil.

2. How do you grow potted Selaginella?

1. Soil

Because Selaginella likes a loose, breathable, water-permeable sandy soil environment, growers should prepare a loose potting soil with good permeability for it. Since Selaginella tolerates poor soil, usually mixing mud or garden soil with fine sand at a ratio of 1:4 is enough to meet its soil environment requirements.

2. Temperature

Because Selaginella prefers warmth, keeping its growing environment at around 20°C is more suitable. In summer when temperatures are high, besides avoiding direct strong light, it is also necessary to spray water more often to retain moisture and lower the temperature; in winter when temperatures are too low, especially when they drop to 0°C, cold protection and warmth measures should be taken in time.

3. Light

Like pines and cypresses, Selaginella has strong vitality and prefers a warm, semi-shaded growing environment. When grown as a potted plant, it is generally enough to provide it with a shady, humid place without direct strong light for care and management.

4. Fertilizing

Selaginella has a very low dependence on fertilizer and tolerates poor soil relatively well, so during normal care and management it does not need much fertilizer. Usually, applying a top dressing once every half month is enough.

5. Watering

Selaginella has a strong drought tolerance. Apart from the growing season, when a large amount of water is needed to keep the potting soil moist for sprouting and growth, its water demand at other stages is often relatively low. So, in order for Selaginella to retain moisture, it can be sprayed with water more often, especially in summer, but when the weather is too hot it should not be watered with cold water at a lower temperature.

6. Repotting

Selaginella can be grown in a shallow pot, but after a long time it still needs to be repotted in time. Repotting is usually done in spring. If repotting is not needed, changing the soil should still be considered, because after growing for a long time the soil structure will change somewhat, and the nutrients will also be used up.

7. Pests and diseases

Selaginella is relatively prone to attack by leaf spot disease, anthracnose, brown soft scale and other pests and diseases, and the damage from these pests and diseases is often relatively serious, so we should promptly prevent and control them in normal times. Besides using chemicals for spraying and killing, manual removal of insects can also be combined with treatment. Of course, ensuring the environment is sufficiently ventilated at all times is very important.