Resurrection Spike Moss (Tamarisk Spike Moss) care

Light

Resurrection Spike Moss is what florists mean by "bright spot, no direct sun" — close enough to a south or east window to feel the brightness, with a sheer curtain or a few feet of distance keeping the sun off the leaves. Prefers bright indirect light, ideally a few hours of filtered morning sun. Tolerates moderate shade but best greening and recovery speed after drought occurs in brighter conditions. Avoid harsh direct afternoon sun which can bleach the foliage. A phone lux-meter at the leaf surface should read 1,500-3,000 lux at noon.

Watering

Water resurrection spike moss can be kept moist year-round or allowed to dry fully and rehydrated on demand. The actual day count varies with pot size, light, and season — the finger test (or lifting the pot to feel its weight) is more reliable than a fixed calendar. Empty any drainage saucer afterwards so the pot isn't sitting in water. This plant is notable for its desiccation tolerance. For continuous lush growth, keep the substrate lightly moist. Alternatively, allow it to dry and curl, then rehydrate by immersing in water for 30-60 minutes to see the dramatic resurrection response.

Soil and pot

Resurrection Spike Moss grows best in gritty, free-draining mix with some organic matter. Use a mix of sand or fine grit, coco coir, and a little loam. The plant is adapted to rocky, shallow soils and tolerates lean conditions. Avoid heavy, moisture-retentive mixes unless you plan to keep it consistently moist. pH 5.5-7.0. A pot with a working drainage hole is non-negotiable for this species — even free-draining mix will turn soggy in a closed planter. If you love the look of a decorative pot without a hole, use it as a cachepot around an inner nursery pot you can lift out to water.

Humidity and temperature

Resurrection Spike Moss sits happiest at around 40-70% humidity and 5-28°C (41-82°F). More humidity-tolerant and flexible than Selaginella kraussiana. At higher humidity it stays permanently green and active. At lower humidity it enters its dormant curled state. Standard indoor humidity (40-60%) is generally fine. If you keep the room above 5 year-round and avoid placing the plant near a cold draught, a hot radiator, or an air-conditioning vent, you have already handled the two biggest indoor stressors.

Fertilising

Feed resurrection spike moss sparingly. 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. Skip fertiliser entirely on a stressed, recently-repotted, or actively wilting plant — fertiliser salts make damage worse, not better. Wait for a round of healthy new growth before resuming a feeding rhythm.

Common problems

Below are the issues we see most often on resurrection spike moss in the Growli community. Each is annotated with the most common cause so you know where to start.

• Plant stays permanently curled — Permanently dry conditions prevent the plant from opening. Rehydrate thoroughly and maintain at least moderate humidity.
• Rot after prolonged wet conditions — Extended waterlogging can cause the crown to rot. Ensure good drainage and avoid keeping the plant wet for weeks at a time.
• Pale, washed-out foliage — Too much direct sun. Move to a position with bright but filtered light.
• Fungus gnats — Common in moist indoor conditions. Allow the surface to dry slightly and use sticky traps.
• No resurrection response — Very old or stressed plants may take several hours to rehydrate fully. Ensure complete immersion in room-temperature water rather than surface watering.

Companion plants

Resurrection Spike Moss pairs well with Cheilanthes viridis, Haworthia fasciata, Gasteria gracilis, and Echeveria setosa. These are species with similar light and water needs, so you can group them in the same room or on the same shelf and water as a batch.

Propagation

Separate offsets from the outer edge of the rosette with a clean knife, ensuring a few roots are attached. Pot in a gritty mix and keep lightly moist until established. Can also be propagated from stem cuttings pressed into moist compost. Propagation is the cheapest, most satisfying way to expand a collection — and it doubles as insurance against losing a mature plant to an accident. Take a backup cutting once the parent is established and healthy.

Toxicity to pets

Resurrection Spike Moss is pet-safe. Not individually listed by the ASPCA. Selaginella species are broadly considered non-toxic to cats and dogs and do not belong to any recognised toxic plant family. If you keep cats, dogs, or curious children in the house, weigh placement carefully — a high shelf or a hanging planter is enough for casual safety. For severe ingestion incidents, call your local vet and the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (in the US, 888-426-4435).

Pet-safety status is sourced from the ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List, which catalogues the most-asked-about plants for cats, dogs, and horses.

Resurrection Spike Moss deep-dive guides

Every aspect of resurrection spike moss care, each with its own calibrated guide:

• Common resurrection spike moss problems & fixes
• Resurrection Spike Moss watering schedule
• Resurrection Spike Moss light requirements
• Best soil mix for resurrection spike moss
• Resurrection Spike Moss fertilizing guide
• When to repot resurrection spike moss
• How to propagate resurrection spike moss
• How to prune resurrection spike moss
• What's eating my resurrection spike moss?
• Resurrection Spike Moss growth rate & size
• Resurrection Spike Moss cold hardiness
• Resurrection Spike Moss temperature & humidity
• Is resurrection spike moss toxic to cats & dogs?
• Is resurrection spike moss toxic to cats?
• Is resurrection spike moss toxic to dogs?
• All 11 Selaginella varieties

Featured in these plant shortlists

Resurrection Spike Moss qualifies for 8 curated Growli shortlists — each one filtered objectively from our structured plant-care library, so the selection is consistent and checkable:

• Best pet-safe houseplants — Houseplants the ASPCA lists as non-toxic to cats and dogs — every one verified against the ASPCA toxic and non-toxic plant list.
• Best plants for a north-facing window — Houseplants for a north-facing window: bright, even, indirect light and no scorching direct sun. Each pick verified against its documented light needs.
• Best pet-safe plants for bright light — Non-toxic to cats and dogs and happy in a bright, sunny spot — safe plants for your best-lit windowsill.
• Best small & tabletop houseplants — Compact houseplants that stay under about 40 cm — desk, shelf and windowsill plants that never outgrow a small space.
• Best houseplants for a cool room — Houseplants that tolerate cool conditions down to about 10°C — for an unheated spare room, hallway, porch or a home kept cool.
• Best cat-safe plants — Houseplants the ASPCA lists as non-toxic to cats (and dogs) — safe greenery for a home with a curious cat.
• Best dog-safe plants — Houseplants the ASPCA lists as non-toxic to dogs (and cats) — safe greenery for a home with a curious dog.
• Best small pet-safe plants — Compact, tabletop houseplants that are also ASPCA non-toxic to cats and dogs — safe greenery for a desk or shelf.
• Browse all 30 plant shortlists — pet-safe, low-light, drought-tolerant and more

Related guides

Resurrection Spike Moss is also commonly called Tamarisk Spike Moss or Resurrection Plant.

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