Transform your indoor garden or terrarium with Selaginella ‘Avatar’ — a mesmerizing, exceptionally bushy spikemoss that brings the magic of a prehistoric rainforest right into your home. Though it resembles a miniature, rounded conifer or a delicate fern, this is a distinct evergreen perennial boasting dimorphic, fan-like leaves. What truly sets the ‘Avatar’ apart is its striking color palette: a vibrant mix of deep greens, metallic coppers, and showy white variegation that creates an almost iridescent display in shaded environments.

Quick Botanical Profile


Scientific Name	Selaginella interspecific hybrid ‘Avatar’
Family	Selaginellaceae
Life Span	Herbaceous evergreen perennial (lives 10+ years in ideal conditions)
Native Range	Tropical forest understories (This specific cultivar was developed for horticulture)
Growth Habit	Upright but sprawling/suckering bush; reaches ~12 inches tall and wide

Origins and Identification

Who Found and Named It

While the Selaginella genus contains over 750 species native to tropical regions worldwide, the ‘Avatar’ variety is an interspecific hybrid developed by specialty horticulturalists. It earned its commercial nickname shortly after the release of the 2009 blockbuster film Avatar. Growers noticed its unique “suckering” growth habit—where vertical shoots and aerial roots drop down from the sprawling branches—which strikingly resembles the glowing “Tree of Life” (or Tree of Souls) featured in the movie.

Specialty Features & Identification Methods

You can easily identify the ‘Avatar’ Spikemoss by its dense, exceptionally bushy texture and upright-yet-spreading habit. Look for:

Foliage: Dimorphic (two distinct sizes of leaves on the same stem), fan-like, with highly textured, delicate microphylls.
Coloration: Unique copper-to-green transitions with striking white variegation.
Rooting: Vertical “suckers” that shoot straight down from the outer edges of the plant to anchor into the soil.

Essential Care & Cultivation

Lighting Requirements

Selaginella ‘Avatar’ thrives in partial to full shade. In its natural habitat, it grows on the dense, dimly lit forest floor. Provide bright, indirect light, but strictly avoid hot, direct afternoon sun, which will quickly scorch its delicate foliage and wash out its stunning metallic colors.

Watering & Humidity Requirements

This plant is a heavy water user that absolutely demands consistent moisture.

Water: Keep the soil evenly and consistently damp at all times. Never allow the root ball to dry out entirely, but ensure the pot isn’t sitting in stagnant water to prevent rot.
Humidity: High humidity (60% to 90%+) is non-negotiable. If grown as a houseplant outside an enclosure, it requires frequent misting or a dedicated room humidifier.

Potting & Nutrient Requirements

Because it requires constant moisture without becoming waterlogged, the growing medium is critical.

Potting Media: We highly recommend planting your ‘Avatar’ in JB Greens Tree Fern Potting Mix. This mix perfectly mimics its natural tropical environment, offering superior aeration while holding the exact right amount of uniform moisture to keep the roots hydrated but breathing.
Nutrients: Feed moderately. Apply a high-quality, slow-release organic fertilizer or top-dress with JB Greens Premium Vermicompost during the active growing season (Spring and Summer) to encourage vigorous branching and vibrant leaf coloration. Pair this with our JB Greens plant tonics every 2–3 weeks for optimal, lush growth.

Uses in Terrariums & Paludariums

Selaginella ‘Avatar’ is a superstar in enclosed setups. Because it naturally demands high humidity, warm temperatures, and consistent soil moisture, it thrives exceptionally well in terrariums, vivariums, and paludariums (making it highly sought after for dart frog habitats).

Visual Impact: Its upright, spreading canopy provides excellent structural contrast against low-growing mosses.
Microclimate Control: Its dense foliage creates perfect hiding spots and microclimates for terrarium fauna.
Maintenance: In a humid terrarium, it will spread rapidly. Pruning the outer “suckers” keeps its sprawling growth in check and encourages a thicker, central bushy shape.

How to Repot Your Selaginella ‘Avatar’

When your spikemoss outgrows its container or you need to establish a newly purchased starter plant, follow these steps to ensure a smooth transition without shocking its delicate root system:

1.Prepare the Media:Pre-moisten the potting mix.

Pre-moisten your JB Greens Tree Fern Potting Mix before planting. It should be damp to the touch but not dripping wet. This prevents the dry media from rapidly pulling moisture away from the plant’s sensitive roots.

2.Unpot the Plant:

Gently squeeze the sides of the current pot and slide the root ball out. Avoid pulling directly on the fragile foliage or stems, as they can snap easily.

3.Position the Plant:

Place the plant in a new pot (only 1-2 inches larger in diameter than the previous one) ensuring the soil line remains exactly where it was in the old pot. Burying the crown deeper will lead to stem rot.

4.Backfill and Settle:

Fill the empty spaces with the moistened potting mix, gently tamping it down to remove large air pockets. Do not pack it too tightly; the roots need oxygen to thrive.

5.Top Dress and Water:

Top dress with a thin layer of JB Greens Premium Vermicompost to provide a gentle nutrient boost, then water thoroughly until it drains freely from the bottom.