Gemmiferous Spikemoss
Selaginella moellendorffii
Pickup currently unavailable at Aiken Nursery
Selaginella moellendorffii is one of those rare plants that quietly remind a gardener how ancient and astonishing the plant kingdom can be. A member of the storied Selaginella lineage, survivors from the Carboniferous coal forests, this spikemoss brings a piece of deep botanical time into the modern shade garden.
Native to East and Southeast Asia, Selaginella moellendorffii threads naturally through moist woodland floors, forming soft, bright-green mats that stay lush even when the rest of the understory sulks through summer heat. The finely textured foliage has the same fern-like delicacy many gardeners love, but with an almost luminous quality in the right light, like a moss that decided to grow a little taller and carry itself with more elegance.
In botanical circles, this spikemoss has held special interest for more than good looks. Through the twentieth century and beyond, researchers prized the species as a model organism for understanding plant evolution, since a simple vascular system and humble architecture offer clues to how the earliest land plants made their way onto dry ground. Long before appearing in ornamental gardens, Selaginella moellendorffii turned up in laboratories and botanical collections, and in 2011 became one of the first spikemosses to have a full genome sequenced.
For all that academic fame, Selaginella moellendorffii stays wonderfully down-to-earth for gardeners. Give the plant shade, steady moisture, and a cool, organic-rich soil, and the mats will settle in happily, weaving soft green texture through shaded beds, over stones, or along the edges of a woodland path. The spread is gentle rather than aggressive, more companion than conqueror, and the fresh green color holds through the year in mild climates.
For anyone who delights in plants with lineage, subtlety, and an almost prehistoric grace, Selaginella moellendorffii is the kind of quiet treasure that enriches a garden without clamoring for attention, a living relic offered in the Woodlanders spirit of curiosity and care.
- Hardiness
- USDA Zones 7–10
- Sun
- Part Shade, Full Shade
- Soil
- Well-drained, Moist
- Mature size
- Height 6–8 Inches · Spread 5–8 Inches
- Growth rate
- Moderate
- Seasonality
- Semi-Evergreen
From rooting to shipping, our top priority is ensuring you receive healthy, thriving plants for your garden’s success.
Because most of our plants are grown from rooted cuttings — alongside seed, air layering, and grafting chosen for each variety — you receive a stronger, true-to-type plant that establishes quickly in your garden.
Raised on organic soil blends and eco-friendly pest management — never harsh chemicals — your plant arrives healthy for your garden, your family, and the pollinators they feed.
Every purchase gives back. We donate to the Aiken Arboretum and support local wildlife conservation, so growing your garden helps protect the wider ecosystem too.
All our plant material is carefully propagated, grown, and nurtured at our humble nursery in Aiken, South Carolina.
Your plant arrives carefully packed and ready to settle in. Unpack them promptly, give them a day or two to acclimate, then plant following the notes we include — that’s all it takes. Clear care guidance comes with every order, so success is the easy part.
What to expect upon delivery
All our plants are sold in 1-gallon sizes, though the height of each plant can vary depending on its growth rate and seasonality, typically ranging from 1/2 to 2.5 feet.
Each plant is carefully packaged with its roots enclosed in a secure plastic bag containing moist soil, forming a compact root ball. To ensure safe transport, the box is padded with recycled newspaper, providing both stability and eco-friendly protection from weather during shipping.
What is your return policy?
Review our full return policy information on our SHIPPING AND RETURNS POLICY page.
What payment methods can I use?
We offer 35 different payment methods including major providers like Mastercard, Visa, PayPal, American Express and Diners as well as many different local payment methods including Klarna, iDEAL, AliPay, Sofort, giropay, and many more.
Can I make changes to my order after it’s been placed?
At Woodlanders, we strive to fulfill orders as quickly as possible. Therefore, we can only accommodate changes to your order within the first 24 hours after it has been placed. These changes include adding or removing products and modifying the delivery address. If you need to make any changes or if there has been a mistake with your order information, please reach out to us promptly via our CONTACT page with your order number for the quickest resolution.
Your satisfaction is our priority, and we appreciate your understanding and cooperation.