Soil & potting mix
Best soil for Resurrection Spike Moss (Selaginella tamariscina)
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.
Preferred mix: Gritty, free-draining mix with some organic matter
Watch for — 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.
Why resurrection spike moss needs this mix
Resurrection Spike Moss stores water in its leaves and stems, so it wants a free-draining, gritty mix that dries out fully between waterings — not a moisture-holding one.
- Resurrection Spike Moss carries its own water supply in its thick tissue, so the soil's job is to drain fast and then get out of the way.
- Its roots are adapted to short wet spells followed by long dry ones — a mix that stays damp removes the dry phase they depend on.
- A gritty mix also keeps the plant compact and well-coloured rather than soft, leggy and prone to collapse.
For the full picture on what makes up a good mix, see our guide to the main types of soil and potting media — it explains why each ingredient above behaves the way it does.
What goes wrong with the wrong mix
The wrong soil is one of the most common reasons resurrection spike moss struggles, and the damage often shows up weeks later as a watering problem. For this species specifically:
- Standard potting compost on its own stays wet far too long for resurrection spike moss; the lower leaves and stem base go soft and translucent first.
- Big plastic pots full of dense mix hold a wet core long after the surface looks dry — that hidden wet zone is where rot starts.
- Anything sold as "moisture control" is the opposite of what this plant wants.
Treating resurrection spike moss like a leafy houseplant and using plain compost. It needs at least half its volume as grit, perlite or pumice to survive long term.
pH — does it matter for resurrection spike moss?
pH is not a concern for resurrection spike moss — anything from mildly acidic to neutral (6.0-7.0) works. Get the drainage right and pH looks after itself.
If you want to check or adjust it, the soil pH guide walks through testing and the safe ways to nudge a mix more acidic or more alkaline.
DIY mix vs a bagged one
A good bagged "cactus and succulent" mix works for resurrection spike moss if you add roughly 30-50% extra perlite or grit. Mixing your own from the ratio above gives you full control of how fast it dries.
Drainage and the pot
Use a pot with a drainage hole and empty the saucer within minutes of watering. Terracotta is more forgiving than glazed or plastic because it dries the rootball faster.
This mix decomposes slowly, so resurrection spike moss only needs repotting every 2-3 years — mainly to refresh the grit and check the roots are firm and pale. When the time comes, our repotting guide for resurrection spike moss covers the timing and technique step by step.
Resurrection Spike Moss soil — frequently asked questions
What is the best soil mix for resurrection spike moss?
2 parts standard cactus or succulent compost : 1 part perlite or pumice : 1 part coarse grit or coarse sand. Resurrection Spike Moss carries its own water supply in its thick tissue, so the soil's job is to drain fast and then get out of the way.
Can I use normal potting soil for resurrection spike moss?
Standard potting compost on its own stays wet far too long for resurrection spike moss; the lower leaves and stem base go soft and translucent first. A good bagged "cactus and succulent" mix works for resurrection spike moss if you add roughly 30-50% extra perlite or grit. Mixing your own from the ratio above gives you full control of how fast it dries.
Does resurrection spike moss need a special pH?
pH is not a concern for resurrection spike moss — anything from mildly acidic to neutral (6.0-7.0) works. Get the drainage right and pH looks after itself.
Should I buy a bagged mix or make my own for resurrection spike moss?
A good bagged "cactus and succulent" mix works for resurrection spike moss if you add roughly 30-50% extra perlite or grit. Mixing your own from the ratio above gives you full control of how fast it dries.
How often should I refresh the soil for resurrection spike moss?
This mix decomposes slowly, so resurrection spike moss only needs repotting every 2-3 years — mainly to refresh the grit and check the roots are firm and pale. Use a pot with a drainage hole and empty the saucer within minutes of watering. Terracotta is more forgiving than glazed or plastic because it dries the rootball faster.
Keep reading
- Resurrection Spike Moss care — the full brief (light, water, humidity, problems, pet safety)
- How often to water resurrection spike moss — the schedule the mix feeds into
- Repotting resurrection spike moss — when and how to refresh the mix
- Soil pH guide — test it and adjust it safely
- How often to water succulents — the soak-and-dry method
- Overwatered plant — signs and recovery
- Root rot — how the wrong soil starts it, and how to save the plant
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