Tropica Terra – Selaginella uncinata Terrarium Plant

Selaginella uncinata is a stunning tropical terrarium plant prized for its delicate foliage and beautiful blue-green iridescent colouration. Often known as Peacock Moss or Blue Spikemoss, this low-growing species creates a lush, spreading carpet and is perfect for adding colour, texture and a natural rainforest appearance to humid terrariums and paludariums.

Appearance
Selaginella uncinata produces fine, fern-like foliage that ranges from fresh green to striking blue-green depending on the lighting and viewing angle. Its subtle metallic and iridescent sheen is one of its most distinctive features, giving the plant an almost blue appearance under the right conditions.

As it establishes, the plant spreads horizontally to form a dense, soft mat of foliage.

Lighting & Growth
Selaginella uncinata thrives in low to medium indirect light and prefers warm conditions with consistently high humidity.

It enjoys a moist environment but should not be left permanently waterlogged. Its spreading growth habit makes it particularly effective as ground cover in tropical terrariums and other humid planted displays.

How to Use
Ideal for foreground planting and ground cover, Selaginella uncinata can be planted around rocks, wood and larger terrarium plants to soften the hardscape and create a mature rainforest appearance.

Its creeping growth also makes it excellent for filling gaps and gradually covering areas of exposed substrate.

Terrarium Plant Key Information:

• Difficulty: Easy–Medium

• Growth Rate: Moderate

• Placement: Foreground / Ground Cover

• Growth Habit: Creeping / Spreading

• Height: Approximately 5–10cm

• Light: Low–Medium Indirect Light

• Humidity: High

• Substrate: Moist, well-draining terrarium substrate

• Environment: Terrarium / Paludarium

• Origin: Asia

Why choose Selaginella uncinata?

• Beautiful blue-green iridescent foliage

• Excellent creeping ground-cover plant

• Creates a lush rainforest appearance

• Perfect for softening rocks and hardscape

• Thrives in warm, humid terrarium conditions

• Pairs beautifully with mosses, ferns and other tropical plants

• Ideal for detailed terrarium and paludarium layouts

Tip: The distinctive blue-green sheen is best appreciated under good indirect lighting. Maintain consistently high humidity and avoid allowing the plant to completely dry out.

Perfect for tropical terrariums and paludariums, creating a lush carpet of delicate foliage with unique blue-green colouration and natural texture.