Description
Selaginella sp. ‘Bronze’ – Bronze Spike Moss for Tropical Vivariums
Selaginella sp. ‘Bronze’ is an unusual and highly decorative vivarium plant grown for its compact structure and glossy green-to-bronze foliage. Its finely divided stems produce overlapping, scale-like leaves that give the plant the appearance of a miniature prehistoric forest.
The foliage can vary from deep green and olive to chocolate-bronze and coppery brown. Its precise colour will change according to the strength and angle of the lighting, moisture levels and maturity of the plant. This natural variation makes every established patch slightly different.
Although commonly called Bronze Spike Moss, Selaginella is not a true moss. It is an ancient group of spore-producing vascular plants known as spikemosses. It provides the lush appearance of moss while producing more substantial branching stems and foliage.
Why Choose Selaginella Bronze?
- Unusual colouring: Produces a mixture of glossy green, olive, bronze and brown tones.
- Compact growth: Its relatively low growth makes it particularly useful towards the front of planted enclosures.
- Natural texture: The intricate branching foliage softens the edges of rocks, cork and other hardscape.
- Humidity loving: Performs best in the consistently humid conditions found inside tropical terrariums.
- Excellent contrast: The darker foliage stands out beautifully beside bright green mosses, miniature orchids and trailing plants.
Using Bronze Spike Moss in a Bioactive Vivarium
Selaginella Bronze makes an excellent foreground or lower-level planting choice for dart frog vivariums, tropical terrariums, planted invertebrate enclosures and enclosed botanical displays.
Plant it between stones, around cork bark or at the base of larger plants to create a softer, more established rainforest appearance. It can also be positioned across moist substrate and encouraged to spread between other low-growing plants.
For contrasting colour, pair it with the shimmering blue-green foliage of our Selaginella uncinata – Peacock Spike Moss.
You can also use our Paint-On Tropical Moss Starter on nearby cork, wood and textured backgrounds. The Selaginella provides immediate leafy planting across the substrate, while the moss starter helps establish true tropical moss on suitable hardscape.
How to Plant Selaginella Bronze
- Select a shaded or partially shaded area with moisture-retentive substrate.
- Create a shallow planting pocket in the substrate or sphagnum moss.
- Place the base of the plant firmly against the damp growing medium without burying its foliage.
- Gently secure the surrounding substrate to maintain good contact.
- Mist thoroughly after planting and prevent the plant from drying out while it establishes.
It can be divided into smaller established sections when sufficient growth is available. Planting several sections in nearby locations can help create more natural coverage over time.
Selaginella Bronze Care
- Lighting: Low to moderate or bright, filtered terrarium lighting. Avoid intense direct light.
- Humidity: High humidity is strongly preferred. This plant is particularly well suited to enclosed tropical environments.
- Watering: Keep the growing medium consistently moist without leaving the plant submerged in stagnant water.
- Substrate: Moist tropical substrate, sphagnum moss, tree fern fibre or a well-draining bioactive substrate mix.
- Airflow: Provide gentle air movement to prevent permanently stagnant conditions.
- Position: Foreground, lower-level planting pockets and moist areas around hardscape.
Do not allow this plant to dry out completely. Prolonged dry conditions can cause the delicate foliage to curl, crisp or die back. Stable moisture and humidity are more important than excessively heavy watering.
Understanding the Bronze Colour
The foliage will not necessarily remain one solid bronze colour. New growth may initially appear greener, while established foliage can develop olive, brown, copper or deep bronze tones. Lighting also affects how the glossy foliage reflects colour.
This colour variation is normal and is not an indication that the plant is unhealthy. Avoid increasing the light too aggressively in an attempt to force darker colouring, as excessively intense lighting can damage the foliage.
What You Will Receive
You will receive a carefully selected living portion of Selaginella sp. ‘Bronze’, ready to establish in a humid vivarium or terrarium. This listing is for the plant only; the container, sphagnum moss and other decorative materials shown in photographs are not included unless specifically stated elsewhere on the listing.
As this is a living plant, every portion will differ slightly in size, shape, branching and colour. Plants may be carefully trimmed before dispatch to minimise damage and encourage healthy new growth.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Selaginella Bronze a true moss?
No. Despite being called Bronze Spike Moss, Selaginella is a spore-producing vascular plant. Its moss-like appearance and compact growth make it particularly useful in humid terrariums.
Is Selaginella Bronze suitable for dart frog vivariums?
Yes. Its preference for high humidity, moist substrate and filtered light makes it well suited to many planted dart frog and tropical amphibian vivariums.
Why is my Selaginella Bronze producing green foliage?
The colour naturally varies according to lighting, moisture, growing conditions and maturity. New growth may be green or olive before developing deeper bronze and brown tones.
Can Selaginella Bronze be allowed to dry out?
No. This plant performs best when its growing medium remains consistently moist. Prolonged drying can cause the delicate foliage to curl, crisp or die back.
Can I grow it with Peacock Spike Moss and tropical moss?
Yes. Bronze and Peacock Selaginella provide contrasting ground-cover foliage, while tropical moss can be established across suitable wood, cork and textured backgrounds.
Can Selaginella Bronze be divided?
Yes. Once established, sufficiently large portions can be carefully separated and replanted. Each divided section should include healthy stems and good contact with moist growing medium.
