Selaginella leucobryoides

The Mojave spikemoss, a desert species from California, Nevada and Arizona described by Maxon in 1920. It forms dense, pale, moss-like cushions (the name compares it to the moss Leucobryum) in rock crevices, and dries to a brittle state in drought before reviving after rain. It is not a humid terrarium plant: it needs strong light, a hot dry summer and only occasional water.

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

Grows on and among rocks in desert mountains, typically in crevices and on the shaded or north-facing sides of boulders and cliffs, where it survives long droughts in a dried, dormant state.

Records span 579-2682 m, median 1280 m (35 records).

CaliforniaNevadaArizona

🔒 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

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