Frosty Fern (Spikemoss)
The 'frosty fern' isn't a fern at all - it's a spikemoss, sold everywhere at Christmas for its lush green fronds tipped with frosty white as if dusted with snow.
Last reviewed: October 2026
AI illustration Overview
The 'frosty fern' isn't a fern at all - it's a spikemoss, sold everywhere at Christmas for its lush green fronds tipped with frosty white as if dusted with snow. Beautiful and popular, but honestly demanding: it lives or dies by constant high humidity. (Selaginella martensii 'Frosty'.)
Origin & Natural Habitat
A cultivar of Selaginella martensii, a spikemoss (an ancient fern ally, not a true fern) from Mexico and Central America, grown for its frosted festive look.
Appearance
Low, spreading, moss-like fronds of tiny scale-leaves, deep green with creamy-white 'frosted' tips; a soft, cushiony, ground-hugging habit.
Why People Grow It - Qualities & Benefits
- Unique frosted festive look
- Lush, soft, cushiony texture
- Beautiful terrarium ground cover
Care
Light: Bright indirect light; no direct sun.
Water: Keep constantly moist - never let it dry even briefly; it collapses fast from dryness. Use rain/distilled water if your tap is hard.
Soil: Moisture-retentive, airy mix; it's a surface creeper.
Temperature & Humidity: 18-24°C; VERY high humidity (70%+) is essential - realistically a terrarium or humid-case plant, not an open shelf.
Feeding: Very light - a quarter-strength feed occasionally at most.
Extra: Not a true fern (it's a spikemoss) and famously tricky as a gift plant because the shop conditions (humid, misted) rarely match a dry home. Grow it in a closed terrarium and it thrives; leave it on a radiator shelf and it browns within days.
Propagation
Divide or lay stem sections on moist soil - they root readily in humidity.
Common Problems & Pests
Browning and collapse = the air/soil dried out, even once. Nearly all failures are humidity failures.
Toxicity & Safety
Not on the ASPCA lists. The ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center's plant lists for cats and dogs have no entry for this plant (they do have entries for relatives, such as Selaginella kraussiana), and we have no other checked source either way. If a pet chews it and seems unwell, call your vet or a pet poison helpline.
Best Suited For
- Experienced growers who can provide humidity
- Shade and bright-indirect spots
- Terrariums and humid rooms
FAQ
Is the frosty fern a real fern?
No - it's a spikemoss (Selaginella), an ancient fern relative, not a true fern. It's sold as a 'fern' for its look.
Why did my frosty fern die so fast?
Almost certainly it dried out - it needs constant moisture and very high humidity. A closed terrarium is the reliable way to keep it alive.
Gear for growing frosty fern (spikemoss)
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