Tropica Salaginella Uncinata (Terra

Tropica Terra-2-Grow! Selaginella uncinata

Peacock Moss | Blue Spikemoss | Premium Terrarium Plant

Bring the beauty of a tropical rainforest into your terrarium with Selaginella uncinata, an extraordinary creeping plant celebrated for its delicate, iridescent blue-green foliage.

Part of Tropica’s premium Terra-2-Grow! collection, Selaginella uncinata is a highly decorative terrestrial plant that is perfect for tropical terrariums, vivariums and paludariums. Its finely textured, fern-like foliage creates a lush, natural carpet, making it an exceptional choice for detailed tropical landscapes and sophisticated planted displays.

Native to Asia, this distinctive species is commonly known as Peacock Moss or Blue Spikemoss. Despite its name and moss-like appearance, it belongs to an ancient group of vascular plants known as lycophytes. Its remarkable foliage displays subtle metallic blue and turquoise tones that change depending on lighting conditions and viewing angle. 

Ideal for Terrariums, Vivariums and Paludariums

Selaginella uncinata is particularly well suited to enclosed tropical environments where consistently high humidity can be maintained.

Its naturally creeping growth habit allows it to spread across moist substrate, creating a dense carpet of miniature foliage that beautifully replicates the forest floor.

In terrariums, it makes an excellent foreground plant, filling empty spaces between rocks, driftwood and larger tropical plants. Its delicate texture contrasts beautifully with broad-leaved tropical species, miniature ferns and mosses.

For tropical vivariums and bioactive enclosures, Selaginella uncinata provides lush ground coverage and natural visual transitions between different planting areas. It is particularly attractive in humid rainforest-style displays.

In paludariums, it is ideal for planting along moist banks, above the waterline and around waterfalls. Its trailing stems can gradually spread over damp hardscape, creating a natural transition between aquatic and terrestrial environments.

Important: This is a terrestrial plant and is not suitable for permanent submersion. Its foliage must remain above the waterline. 

Distinctive Features

Iridescent blue-green foliage: Delicate leaves display beautiful metallic blue, turquoise and green tones under suitable lighting.

Natural carpeting growth: Creeping stems gradually establish dense, low-growing mats that create a mature rainforest appearance.

Excellent hardscape integration: Perfect for softening rocks, driftwood, cork bark and moist terrarium backgrounds.

Ideal for tropical environments: Thrives in warm, humid conditions with consistent moisture.

Versatile planting options: Suitable for foreground planting, ground coverage, moist vertical surfaces and paludarium banks.

Easy to propagate: Established plants can be divided or propagated using stem cuttings.

Plant height, origin and light requirements follow Tropica’s published specifications. Temperature and humidity figures are practical cultivation guidelines. 

Care and Maintenance

Lighting

Selaginella uncinata performs particularly well under low to moderate indirect lighting. Its characteristic blue-green iridescence is often most noticeable under softer, filtered light.

Avoid intense direct sunlight, which can damage the delicate foliage and cause excessive drying.

Humidity and Watering

Consistently high humidity is essential for healthy growth. Closed or semi-closed tropical terrariums are particularly suitable because they provide a stable, moisture-rich environment.

Maintain evenly moist substrate without allowing the roots to sit in stagnant water. Avoid allowing the plant to dry out completely, as its delicate foliage can quickly turn brown in excessively dry conditions.

Substrate

Plant in a moisture-retentive, well-aerated tropical substrate. Mixtures containing coco coir, fine bark and sphagnum moss can provide an excellent growing environment.

The substrate should retain sufficient moisture while allowing adequate drainage and airflow around the roots.

Trimming and Propagation

Under favourable conditions, Selaginella uncinata can spread vigorously, gradually covering surrounding substrate and hardscape.

Regular trimming helps maintain its compact appearance and prevents it from overwhelming smaller neighbouring plants. Healthy stem cuttings can be replanted onto moist substrate to establish new growth. 

Tropica Terra-2-Grow! Laboratory-Grown Quality

Supplied in Tropica’s innovative Terra-2-Grow! cup, this plant is cultivated under controlled laboratory conditions to provide clean, healthy planting material.

No algae. No pests. No snails.

The sealed cultivation cup provides a clean starting point for introducing new plants into carefully maintained tropical displays, helping reduce the risk of introducing unwanted organisms.

To plant, carefully remove the contents from the cup and gently rinse away the cultivation medium. Divide the plant into smaller portions and position them across moist substrate, allowing sufficient space for new growth.

Maintain high humidity during establishment and ensure the plants never dry out. 

Create Your Own Tropical Rainforest

Whether you are designing a miniature tropical terrarium, a detailed bioactive vivarium or an elaborate paludarium, Tropica Terra-2-Grow! Selaginella uncinata offers exceptional colour, texture and natural beauty.

Its shimmering blue-green foliage and elegant creeping growth make it a beautiful addition to carefully curated tropical landscapes.

Available at Aqua Atlantis, your specialist destination for premium aquascaping, terrarium and paludarium plants.

Specification Details

Scientific name Selaginella uncinata

Common names Peacock Moss, Blue Spikemoss

Brand Tropica

Product range Terra-2-Grow!

Product code 406 TC

Origin Asia

Growth habit Creeping and spreading

Height Approximately 1–10+ cm

Light requirements Low to moderate

Humidity High, preferably 75–90%+

Temperature Approximately 20–26°C

Placement Foreground, ground cover, moist hardscape

Propagation Division and stem cuttings

Suitable environments Terrariums, vivariums and paludariums