Peacock spikemoss Selaginella willdenowii
Peacock spikemoss (Selaginella willdenowii) is an evergreen perennial groundcover in the Selaginellaceae family, native to Southeast Asia, including Singapore (shady, wet forest; lowland to hills). It grows 30 cm–1.5 m (12 in–4.9 ft) tall and 80 cm–2 m (31 in–6.6 ft) wide, wants shade and high water, and is hardy to about 10 °C (50 °F). Space plants about 60 cm (24 in) apart.
Plan Peacock spikemoss in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Peacock spikemoss at a glance
| Type | Perennial groundcover, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Selaginellaceae |
| Mature height | 30 cm–1.5 m (12 in–4.9 ft) |
| Mature spread | 80 cm–2 m (31 in–6.6 ft) |
| Spacing | 60 cm (24 in) centre to centre |
| Sun | Shade, at least 1 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | High; drought tolerance none, waterlogging tolerance low |
| Soil pH | 5–6.5 |
| Cold hardiness | About 10 °C (50 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 12) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 33 °C (91 °F) |
| Wind tolerance | None |
| Pollinator value | None |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Native to | Southeast Asia, including Singapore (shady, wet forest; lowland to hills) |
| Common in gardens of | 🇸🇬 Singapore, 🇹🇭 Thailand |
Is Peacock spikemoss toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not known to be toxic
- Dogs: not known to be toxic
No toxicity reported in ASPCA or standard poison references.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Peacock spikemoss
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like shade and high water.
See Peacock spikemoss in a botanical garden
It grows in these sample gardens, which you can walk through in 3D:
- UC Botanical Garden, Berkeley (6 plants)
- Singapore Botanic Gardens (30 plants)
- Gardens by the Bay (10 plants)
- Fairy Lake Botanical Garden (10 plants)
Questions about Peacock spikemoss
- How far apart should I plant Peacock spikemoss?
- About 60 cm (24 in) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 80 cm–2 m (31 in–6.6 ft).
- Does Peacock spikemoss need full sun?
- Shade: at least 1 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Peacock spikemoss need?
- High water. Drought tolerance is none and waterlogging tolerance low.
- How cold-hardy is Peacock spikemoss?
- It tolerates about 10 °C (50 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 12.
- Is Peacock spikemoss poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is not known to be toxic; for dogs not known to be toxic; for people not known to be toxic. No toxicity reported in ASPCA or standard poison references.
- What grows well with Peacock spikemoss?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Peacock spikemoss. Group it with plants that like the same sun (shade) and water (high).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade B (B: extension service or peer-reviewed).
- Flora & Fauna Web, National Parks Board, Singapore
- Plants of the World Online (taxonomy, native range), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
- Cloud Forest conservatory (Cloud Mountain, cool-moist montane climate), Gardens by the Bay
Notes and assumptions
- Tropical lowland plant: outdoors only where it never frosts (as in Singapore); elsewhere it needs a heated glasshouse.
- A scrambling spikemoss (a lycophyte, not a true moss or fern) whose fronds shine iridescent peacock-blue in deep shade; spores, no flowers.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
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