Have you ever killed a plant? Of course, you have. We all have. It feels terrible.

But here’s the reality: there are some plants that are more challenging to raise indoors than others. Like seriously, even a chimp could grow a Pothos or a Snake Plant. I love both of these plants, and I love the fact that I can sort of forget about them in my house, and they will still look good and make me feel like I’m a talented gardener. Ten green thumbs, all pointed up. 

But this is not the case of Moss, (aka Selaginella spp.). You can’t neglect this plant. It needs you to remember it—to water it, to place it in the right light, and to raise the humidity around it. Moss naturally grows in cool, dimly lit, moist places—like in forests under trees.

I truly love this plant—its moundy lushness, small ferny leaves, and the way it drapes over the edge of the pot like luxuriously embroidered fabric.

But I disappointed my last Selaginella Moss. And what I mean by this is that I neglected it, allowed it to dry out, and it didn’t survive. My fault.

But I have a new one. And I’ve made a promise. I’m going to pay attention. It’s living in a well-shaded spot, and I’m keeping it moist. I’m treating my Selaginella Moss like it’s at home in the forest.

Successfully growing a challenging houseplant feels good. My Selaginella Moss is happy, and this makes me very happy. 

Ten green thumbs, all pointed up.

Written by Justin Hancock