Selaginella Uncinata terrarium plant, Peacock Fern, peacock moss, Peacock Spikemoss, Rainbow Moss

Your Peacock Fern will arrive about 5cmx5cm rooted in Sphagnum moss in a small plastic container to ensure it arrives fresh and ready to use in your terrarium.
Also check out our other selaginella species, stunning red selaginella erythropus and more to come soon!

Native to China, the Peacock Spikemoss is named for its stunning iridescent blue shades.

Its metallic turquoise colors and dainty shingling foliage really are a work of art.

Mother Nature has truly outdone herself!

This striking little plant is actually one of the “fern allies” (or lycophytes) because it has delicate fern-like foliage, but it’s often loosely classified as a moss due to its low growth habit.

Which explains why this plant has so many different common names… Is it a bird? Is it a plane? Is it a Peacock Fern, Spikemoss, Moss? Rainbow Moss?!


What is the Peacock Fern?
This ancient species of plant thrives in moist and humid environments, and it’s an easy choice for terrariums of all kinds.

Honestly, it’s such an effective trailing plant. It’ll quickly form a dense mat of feathery foliage that’ll cover the ground of your terrarium.

But, despite its chic high-maintenance look, Selaginella uncinata is actually an excellent starter plant. It comfortably tolerates lower light levels, is unlikely to be overwatered, and is an all-around tough cookie.

Making it not just a terrarium no-brainer but a great tropical indoor plant too.


Selaginella uncinata Care & Growth
Plant Type Moss, fern (sort of)
Lighting Low – high indirect light
Temperature 55-80°F (12-26°C)
Watering Regular, even moisture
Humidity Medium – high humidity (50-90%)
Growth 3-5 inches

Lighting
Selaginella uncinata is a true low-light plant, and its brilliant blue hue stays vibrant under minimal light conditions.

It is definitely one to keep out of direct sunlight, though, as its delicate foliage will quickly scorch.

Lighting
Selaginella uncinata is a true low-light plant, and its brilliant blue hue stays vibrant under minimal light conditions.

It is definitely one to keep out of direct sunlight, though, as its delicate foliage will quickly scorch.

Substrate
Thankfully, the Peacock Fern isn’t overly demanding when it comes to substrate choice.

The only real requirement is that you’ll really need a substrate mix with good water retention, as it has such shallow roots.

If you’re popping it in a terrarium, however – since this plant is so moisture loving – you’ll need to make sure you don’t swamp your other plants with water.

Temperature & Humidity
Honestly, in a terrarium environment, you’re unlikely to run into any problems with the Peacock Fern.

It is a versatile tropical plant, after all.

While it will appreciate as much warmth and humidity as you can give it, it’s actually surprisingly hardy and can tolerate a range of temperatures (so it’ll be comfortable in the home too).

It would appreciate tropical highs of 80°F (26°C) and 90% humidity.

But, as long as you avoid temperatures lower than 55°F (12°C) and humidity levels lower than 50%, you’ll keep your Selaginella happy.

Growth
Peacock Spikemoss will generally only reach a few inches in height, but it can grow much wider.

It spreads like a river flowing across land (helped by its blue sheen, naturally), with beautiful shingled foliage unfurling across your pot or terrarium container.

Given enough time, you can expect it to cover the ground of most terrariums and, in a pot, begin spilling out of the sides – so it will likely need trimming semi-regularly.

Propagation
As with other Selaginella species, S. uncinata is easy to propagate through both stem cuttings and division.

In fact, they naturally root from their tips as part of their creeping growth habit, so cuttings of most descriptions are viable.

Good news for your friends and family and local plant swap group!

I find the most straightforward way is to snip off a decent-sized chunk and pop it in a Tupperware box on some moist sphagnum moss. Open it up every now and again for some airflow and to check if it needs a spray.

Selaginella Uncinata: How To Grow The Stunning Peacock Fern