Selaginella serpens
Best ground cover for terrarium and vivarium enthusiasts.
Discover the Selaginella serpens, a captivating spikemoss from Glass Box Tropicals, perfect for creating lush, natural landscapes. This delicate plant boasts vibrant green, feathery foliage that forms a beautiful carpet, ideal for high-humidity environments. It thrives in terrariums, vivariums, and paludariums, adding a touch of the tropics to your indoor space. With moderate care requirements, it's a rewarding choice for enthusiasts seeking to enhance miniature ecosystems with rich texture and a creeping growth habit. Enjoy its vibrant appearance and natural charm.
$14.99
Owner Satisfaction
4.7
/ 5
Category Rank
61
/ 2656
#61 in Plants
Price vs Category Average
-66%
Below average
Species
Selaginella serpens
/ Selaginella serpens
Who it's for
- Terrarium hobbyists seeking a unique, shimmering visual centerpiece
- Vivarium keepers building lush, naturalistic floor layers
- Nano-enclosure owners needing plants that stay compact
Who should skip it
- Casual houseplant owners without specialized humid enclosures
- Busy gardeners struggling with precise moisture maintenance
- Beginners lacking experience with proper terrarium ventilation
Performance breakdown
Terrarium Suitability
Perfectly adapted for the high-humidity needs of enclosed miniature ecosystems.
Visual Texture
Feathery foliage creates a dense, lush carpet effect for naturalistic displays.
Growth Habit
Creeping nature allows for excellent ground cover in vivarium setups.
Care Accessibility
Requires consistent moisture levels that may challenge novice plant keepers.
Lighting Versatility
Thrives best under bright indirect light, limiting placement options in dim rooms.
Establishment Potential
Starts strong in a 2.5-inch pot, ready for immediate terrarium integration.
Key Specs
Species
Selaginella serpens
Growth Habit
Creeping/Carpet-like
Growing Temperature
Warm to cool
Moisture Requirement
Medium to high
Type
Terrestrial
Shipped Size
Grown in a 2.5" pot
Light Requirement
Bright Indirect Light
Care Difficulty
Moderate
Features
- Creates a beautiful carpet-like effect
- Thrives in high humidity
- Ideal for terrariums and vivariums
- Features fine, feathery foliage
- Adds a lush, natural touch
- Delicate and compact species
- Lush, creeping growth habit
- Prefers consistently moist conditions
What customers say
Customers consistently highlight the exceptional quality and health of the Selaginella serpens upon arrival. The primary theme is the plant's robust condition, often described as vibrant and well established, which speaks directly to the careful handling and superior cultivation practices of Glass Box Tropicals. Buyers feel they receive excellent value, noting the generous size and successful transition into their terrarium environments. This reliability makes it a highly recommended choice for specialized plant enthusiasts seeking dependable, high grade specimens.
Know before you buy
While it is a rewarding plant, it requires moderate care and consistent moisture levels. It is best suited for those who can monitor humidity and light conditions regularly.
Yes, it thrives best in bright, indirect light. Avoid placing it in direct sunlight, as the delicate foliage can easily scorch.
Selaginella serpens has a creeping growth habit that forms a dense carpet over time. The speed of its spread depends on the humidity and substrate quality, but it generally fills in space steadily once established.
It is primarily a terrestrial plant that requires high humidity to remain healthy. Unless you live in a very humid climate or have a dedicated greenhouse setup, it will likely struggle in standard household air.
Use a moisture-retentive, well-draining substrate like a peat or coco-coir based mix. Keeping the soil consistently moist is essential for its survival.
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Ask Hayley anything about this product before you decide.
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$15