Fertilising guide
How to fertilise Resurrection Spike Moss (Selaginella tamariscina)— schedule & NPK
Also called Tamarisk Spike Moss, Resurrection Plant.
More about resurrection spike moss
About Resurrection Spike Moss
Selaginella tamariscina · also called Tamarisk Spike Moss, Resurrection Plant · houseplant
Resurrection Spike Moss is a remarkable spike moss native to rocky areas of East and Southeast Asia, widely used in traditional Chinese herbal medicine. In drought conditions the plant curls into a tight ball; on rehydration it opens and turns bright green within hours. An unusual curiosity houseplant. Considered non-toxic to pets.
Growth habit: Rosette-forming spike moss that curls into a ball when dry
Watch for — Pale, washed-out foliage: Too much direct sun. Move to a position with bright but filtered light.
What fertiliser resurrection spike moss actually wants — and why
Resurrection Spike Moss is an easy, light foliage feeder — a half-strength balanced liquid feed through the growing months keeps it green without forcing weak, sappy growth.
A balanced general houseplant feed (roughly even N-P-K) is exactly right — it is grown for foliage, so steady, moderate nitrogen for healthy leaves is the goal, not a bloom or root formula.
For the language behind the three numbers on the bottle — what nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium each do — see the NPK ratio explained entry. The short version for resurrection spike moss: match the feed to the job the plant is doing right now, not to a generic “plant food” on the shelf.
How often to feed resurrection spike moss, and which months
Feeding only earns its keep while the plant is in active growth and can use the nutrients — pour feed into a dormant or low-light plant and it simply builds up as root-burning salt. For resurrection spike moss:
Feed lightly with a dilute balanced fertiliser at quarter strength once a month during active growth in spring and summer. When the plant is in its curled dormant state, withhold fertiliser entirely. Treat that as once a month between spring through early autumn (roughly March to September); ease off in autumn and stop entirely in the low light of winter.
The dormant-season rule matters more than the exact interval: skip feeding entirely when resurrection spike moss is resting. For the wider context on indoor feeding rhythms across the seasons, the houseplant fertiliser schedule walks through the year month by month.
What strength to mix for resurrection spike moss
Half strength is the safe default for resurrection spike moss — houseplant feeds are formulated strong, and the diluted dose is gentler on the roots while still ample for foliage.
Feeding always goes onto already-damp soil, never dry roots — water resurrection spike moss first if the soil is dry, then apply the diluted feed. The companion question is when to water at all, covered in the resurrection spike moss watering schedule.
Signs you are over-feeding resurrection spike moss
Over-feeding is far more common — and more damaging — than under-feeding for most plants. The classic tells for resurrection spike moss:
- Brown, crispy leaf tips and edges with no sign of underwatering.
- A white, crusty salt deposit on the soil surface or pot rim.
- Weak, pale, stretched new growth that flops.
- Lower leaves yellow and drop while the soil is correctly watered.
Signs you are under-feeding resurrection spike moss
- Uniformly pale or yellow-green leaves, oldest first.
- Noticeably small new leaves and stalled growth in good light and season.
- A generally tired, lacklustre look despite correct watering and light.
If the symptoms point at watering, light or roots rather than nutrition, the full resurrection spike moss care brief covers soil, humidity and the common problems for this species.
Flushing and leaching the salts
Flush the pot of resurrection spike moss with plain water until it runs freely from the base every couple of months in the feeding season — it washes out the fertiliser salts that cause brown tips.
Organic vs synthetic feeds for resurrection spike moss
Organic options
A diluted seaweed or worm-casting feed, or fish emulsion if you can tolerate the smell indoors. UK: Westland or Baby Bio Organic, dilute seaweed; US: Espoma Indoor! or Neptune's Harvest fish & seaweed. Slow, gentle and hard to overdo.
Synthetic / liquid feeds
A general-purpose houseplant liquid at half strength — UK: Baby Bio, Westland Houseplant Feed or Phostrogen; US: Miracle-Gro Indoor Plant Food or Schultz. Convenient and fast-acting; the only risk is overdoing it.
Brand names are examples, not endorsements, and UK and US ranges differ — check the label’s own NPK and dilution rate, since formulations change.
Fertilising resurrection spike moss — frequently asked questions
What fertiliser does resurrection spike moss need?
A balanced general houseplant feed (roughly even N-P-K) is exactly right — it is grown for foliage, so steady, moderate nitrogen for healthy leaves is the goal, not a bloom or root formula. Resurrection Spike Moss is an easy, light foliage feeder — a half-strength balanced liquid feed through the growing months keeps it green without forcing weak, sappy growth.
How often should I feed resurrection spike moss?
Feed lightly with a dilute balanced fertiliser at quarter strength once a month during active growth in spring and summer. When the plant is in its curled dormant state, withhold fertiliser entirely. Feed lightly with a dilute balanced fertiliser at quarter strength once a month during active growth in spring and summer. When the plant is in its curled dormant state, withhold fertiliser entirely. Treat that as once a month between spring through early autumn (roughly March to September); ease off in autumn and stop entirely in the low light of winter.
What strength of feed for resurrection spike moss?
Half strength is the safe default for resurrection spike moss — houseplant feeds are formulated strong, and the diluted dose is gentler on the roots while still ample for foliage.
What does over-feeding resurrection spike moss look like?
Brown, crispy leaf tips and edges with no sign of underwatering. A white, crusty salt deposit on the soil surface or pot rim. Weak, pale, stretched new growth that flops. Lower leaves yellow and drop while the soil is correctly watered. Feeding resurrection spike moss year-round on a fixed schedule, including dark winter months, is the most common mistake — it cannot use the nutrients in low light and the surplus simply burns the roots and crusts the soil.
Should I flush the soil of resurrection spike moss?
Flush the pot of resurrection spike moss with plain water until it runs freely from the base every couple of months in the feeding season — it washes out the fertiliser salts that cause brown tips.
Keep reading
- Resurrection Spike Moss care — the full brief (light, soil, humidity, problems, pet safety)
- How often to water resurrection spike moss — the watering schedule
- The houseplant fertiliser schedule — feeding through the year
- NPK ratio explained — what the three numbers on the bottle mean
- How to fertilise trembling brake fern
- How to fertilise alexandrae brake fern
- How to fertilise wimsett brake fern
- All 11687 fertilising guides in the Growli library