Selaginella erythropus - Red Spike Moss
Selaginella erythropus, commonly known as Red Spike Moss, is a stunning tropical terrarium plant prized for its vibrant green foliage and striking red undersides. Despite its common name, it is not a true moss, but its dense, carpet-like growth makes it perfect for creating lush, natural-looking terrariums and vivariums.
Appearance
Red Spike Moss forms a dense mat of delicate green foliage with beautiful ruby-red colouring beneath the leaves. As the plant spreads, it creates a vibrant contrast that adds depth, texture and colour to terrarium landscapes.
Lighting & Growth
Selaginella erythropus thrives in low to medium indirect light and prefers consistently high humidity.
It grows steadily in warm, humid environments and performs particularly well in closed terrariums, where moisture levels remain stable. Direct sunlight should be avoided, as it can damage the delicate foliage.
How to Use
Ideal as a foreground or ground-cover plant, Red Spike Moss can be used to soften hardscape, cover substrate and create a natural rainforest appearance. It works exceptionally well alongside mosses, ferns and other humidity-loving terrarium plants.
Plant Key Information:
- Difficulty: Easy–Medium
- Growth Rate: Moderate
- Placement: Foreground / Ground Cover
- Height: 5–15cm
- Light: Low–Medium Indirect Light
- Humidity: High
- Environment: Terrarium / Vivarium
- Origin: Tropical Central & South America
