Selaginella Kraussiana Aurea(Golden Moss)

Selaginella kraussiana ‘Aurea’ is a fine‑textured, creeping spikemoss cultivar valued for its soft, golden‑to‑lime‑green foliage and mat‑forming habit. It is often used as a vivid ground cover in shade gardens, terrariums, or as a moisture‑loving houseplant “carpet.

Plant description

• Growth habit: Low, creeping or trailing perennial that forms dense carpets or cushions 2–6 cm high and can spread 30–50 cm or more if unrestricted.

• Foliage: Tiny, closely spaced, scale‑like leaves arranged in feathery, almost fern‑like branchlets; the ‘Aurea’ form has golden‑yellow to lime‑green coloring, especially on the growing tips.

• Taxonomy and texture: A true spikemoss (Selaginellaceae), not a moss or fern, but its dense, moss‑like texture makes it ideal for covering soil or lining terrarium floors.

Light and adaptability

• Light requirement: Prefers bright, indirect light or partial to deep shade; avoid hot, direct sun that can bleach or scorch the leaves.

• Indoor adaptability: Very well suited to terrariums, paludariums, and humid indoor spots such as bathrooms or kitchens with a north‑ or east‑facing window.

• Landscape adaptability: In warm, coastal or subtropical climates it can be used as a shade‑loving ground cover under trees or in boggy wood‑edge settings, usually in zones roughly 11–12 or as an outdoor container plant in milder protected areas.plants.ces.

Growing conditions (soil and medium)

• Medium: Needs a humus‑rich, moisture‑retentive but well‑draining mix; a blend of peat or coco‑coir, perlite, and leaf mould or compost works well.

• pH and texture: Thrives in slightly acidic to neutral conditions (around pH 5.5–7.0), similar to typical fern mixes.

• Wetness tolerance: Likes a constantly moist or “very wet” substrate; it tolerates short‑term wetness but should not sit in stagnant water for long, as this can encourage rot.

Watering and humidity care

• Watering: Keep the substrate consistently moist but not waterlogged; never let it dry out completely. Use rainwater, distilled water, or softened water if possible, since lime‑hard water can stress the plant.

• Humidity: Prefers high humidity (often quoted around 70–80% relative humidity), which is why it does so well in terrariums or enclosed setups. If kept as a houseplant, frequent misting or placing on a humidity tray helps where air is dry.

Temperature and climate range

• Temperature range: Comfortable between about 18–24 °C (65–75 °F), which matches typical indoor room temperatures.

• Frost tolerance: Not frost‑hardy; in temperate regions it is treated as a houseplant or grown under glass, with a minimum of about 5 °C (41 °F).

• In warm, sheltered spots (e.g., coastal or urban microclimates), ‘Aurea’ can persist outdoors year‑round as a ground cover, but may suffer in hot, dry, or very windy sites.

Fertilizing and maintenance

• Feeding: Apply a diluted, balanced liquid fertilizer (half‑strength) every 4–6 weeks during active growth (spring–summer); avoid strong or frequent fertilization, as this can damage the delicate .

• Pruning and tidying: Light trimming can keep the carpet neat and encourage bushier growth; remove any brown or sparse patches to maintain vibrant color.

• Propagation: Very easy to propagate by division or stem cuttings; simply snip trailing or lateral shoots and place them on moist medium, keeping warm and humid until they root.

Common problems and tips

• Drying out: If the substrate dries, the plant can go brown and crispy; re‑wet promptly and increase humidity, but badly desiccated patches may need to be pruned.

• Over‑watering or poor drainage: Sitting in heavy, compacted soil or water‑logged pots can lead to stem rot; ensure good drainage and aeration in the mix.

• Low light and weak growth: In very deep shade or dim indoor spots, the stems may stretch and the golden color can fade; increasing brightness (still indirect) often restores compact, brighter growth.