Selaginella indica

A rock spikemoss of the Himalaya, India and south-west China, placed by Tryon in 1955 in the Selaginella rupestris group of drought-tolerant, mat-forming species. It grows on exposed rocks at mostly 1500–2700 m, curling up in the dry winter and greening again with the summer monsoon. Unlike tropical Selaginella it wants bright light, fast drainage and a dry, cool winter.

At home, aim for

Day Cool-growingTargets in Plantistry

Night Close to the dayTargets in Plantistry

Humidity Dry airBand in Plantistry

Light Bright, filtered lightDLI and PPFD in Plantistry

Expects a seasonal restGrows on rock (lithophyte)

Where it grows wild

Rupestris-group spikemosses form low mats on rock ledges, crevices and thin soil over rock in open, often sunny places. Species-specific habitat notes were not consulted, so this is based on the group and the measured climate.

7 records with elevation at 1524–2743 m, median 1975 m; one central Indian record is near 480 m.

IndiaNepalEast HimalayaTibetChina South-CentralVietnam

🔒 Growing it like that

The wild conditions above, turned into targets for a shelf, a tent or a greenhouse. The full profile has:

✓ Day and night temperature targets, and the limits it tolerates

✓ Humidity band, and how to hold it

✓ Light as DLI and PPFD for a grow light

✓ Wet and dry seasons, and whether to rest it

✓ Substrate and airflow

✓ A step-by-step setup to grow it like the wild

Grow Selaginella indica? Add it to a free garden and its full profile opens. Pro opens all 38,374 profiles in the library, plants and fungi.

Start free Sign in

More Selaginella

Selaginella apoda Selaginella lepidophylla Selaginella tortipila Selaginella ciliaris Selaginella moellendorffii Selaginella deflexa Selaginella kraussiana Selaginella selaginoides Selaginella stellata Selaginella uliginosa Selaginella australiensis Selaginella brisbanensis All 765 →

Profiles are drafts built from measured range and climate and from published sources; each section carries its own confidence in the app.