Lycopodiaceae
Stiff clubmoss: Ground Cover Plant
Lycopodium annotinum
Stiff clubmoss is very difficult to cultivate outside of its natural environment and is considered a species for woodland gardens rather than a common houseplant. It requires constantly moist, acidic, and nutrient-poor peat soil, high humidity, and shade or partial shade similar to the forest floor it originates from. The sensitive roots rot easily in stagnant water, while a large portion of water uptake occurs through the leaves.
Every 4 days
Low light
-40° - 24°C
70% - 90%
Categories
What is Stiff clubmoss?
Stiff clubmoss (Lycopodium annotinum) is a hard-care plant from the Lycopodiaceae family. Stiff clubmoss (Lycopodium annotinum) is an evergreen, spore-bearing lycopod in the family Lycopodiaceae. It forms creeping mats on the forest floor in coniferous forests and wetlands across the colder regions of the Northern Hemisphere—from North America and Greenland to most of Europe and northern...
Stiff clubmoss grows up to 25cm, spread of 100cm, watering every 4 days, -40°C – 24°C, 70–90% humidity. It is not suitable for indoor environments and not safe for pets.
Unlike easy-care plants, Stiff clubmoss demands constant attention to humidity and light. Not recommended for beginners. Without precautions, ingestion can cause irritation in pets. Keep out of reach of cats and dogs.
How to Care for Stiff clubmoss?
TLDR: Stiff clubmoss needs Low light, watering every 4 days, and temperatures between -40-24°C with 70-90% humidity.
How Often Should You Water Stiff clubmoss?
Keep the soil evenly moist but never waterlogged—the sensitive roots rot easily if water remains standing. Mist the foliage regularly as a large part of the water uptake occurs through the leaves, especially in dry indoor air.
How Much Light Does Stiff clubmoss Need?
Thrives best in shade to partial shade, just like on the forest floor in its natural environment. Avoid direct, strong sun which dries out both soil and leaves.
What Is the Best Soil for Stiff clubmoss?
Use acidic, humus-rich, and well-drained soil—preferably pure peat or a mixture of peat and coniferous forest humus with a pH around 4-5.5. A thick layer of leaf litter on the surface mimics the natural forest floor.
What Pot Should You Use for Stiff clubmoss?
Rarely grown in traditional pots due to sensitive roots, but if attempted: choose a wide, shallow terracotta pot with good drainage and maintain high humidity by covering with plastic or growing in a small greenhouse—matching the moist forest environment the species naturally grows in.
Care Schedule
Misting
Every 2 days
What Is Stiff clubmoss and Where Does It Come From?
Stiff clubmoss (Lycopodium annotinum) is an evergreen, spore-bearing lycopod in the family Lycopodiaceae. It forms creeping mats on the forest floor in coniferous forests and wetlands across the colder regions of the Northern Hemisphere—from North America and Greenland to most of Europe and northern Asia. Each year's growth is visible as a distinct 'interrupted' constriction on the stem, which has given the species its common names. The species belongs to a very ancient plant lineage and spreads naturally via spores formed in strobili (spore cones) at the tips of the shoots.
How to Propagate Stiff clubmoss?
Spore propagation
Extremely slow and difficult method that rarely succeeds in a home environment; commercial cultivation from spores is almost non-existent.
- 1 Collect ripe spores from the spore cones (strobili) in late summer
- 2 Sow the spores on moist, sterilized humus-rich soil or peat
- 3 Cover with plastic to maintain high humidity and avoid direct sun
- 4 Wait - the prothallus (gametophyte) grows underground for several years before a visible plant is formed
Materials needed:
Division of runners
The roots are sensitive - handle with care and keep the soil constantly moist after division.
- 1 Locate a creeping stem section (runner) with its own roots
- 2 Carefully cut off a piece with the roots intact
- 3 Plant immediately in moist, acidic peat soil without letting the roots dry out
Materials needed:
How Big Does Stiff clubmoss Grow?
TLDR: Stiff clubmoss can reach up to 25cm tall with Slow growth rate.
Max height
25cm
Spread
1.0m
Growth rate
Slow
Foliage
Evergreen
Warning: Toxic Plant
This plant can be toxic if ingested. Keep out of reach of:
Plant Uses
Ornamental
Great for decoration
Ground Cover
Soil coverage
Medicinal
Medicinal properties
Medicinal Uses
- Used in traditional Finnish folk medicine as a remedy for rickets
- The spore powder has been used topically for skin rashes and inflammation
Is your plant showing symptoms?
Click on the symptom to discover possible causes:
What Diseases Commonly Affect Stiff clubmoss?
TLDR: Stiff clubmoss is susceptible to 1 known diseases. Monitor regularly for early detection.
Compare with similar plants
| Attribute | Difficulty | Light | Watering | Pet Safe |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sticky false asphodel | Hard | Bright indirect | 1d | ✓ |
| Creeping bentgrass | Hard | Direct sun | 3d | ✓ |
| Bulbous Adder's-tongue | Hard | Partial shade | 4d | ✓ |
| Crystal Anthurium | Hard | Partial shade | 7d | ⚠️ |
