Daily Local News (West Chester, PA)
A new plant for the holidays
At the holidays I’m used to seeing the standard plant gifts: poinsettias, Christmas cactus, amaryllis, and even cyclamen, but this year a friend gave me what’s apparently a newcomer to the lineup — a cute little plant called Frosty Fern.
When Mildred handed it to me, I saw instantly that the plant wasn’t actually a fern. It had a sort of flat-needled, feathered texture to it — almost like a false cypress (Chamaecyparis). In fact, the plant looked like a miniature shrub. But a positive I.D. eluded me, tickling my memory just out of reach.
I logged on to the internet and found that “frosty fern” is one of the common names for Selaginella kraussiana, also known as club moss or spike moss. Of course the plant looked familiar — I had used selaginella years ago during a serious terrarium-making phase.
The plant is quite pretty, with a compact habit and lively green foliage. The pale yellow, nearly white color on the tips makes it look almost as if there is fresh snow or frost on the leaves; hence the name frosty fern. The spindly, bare, upright growths are aerial roots.
None of the common names for the plant are actually accurate. According to Horticulture Magazine, “Selaginella is the genus of plants known as spikemosses, plants closely related to ferns. And spikemoss is not true moss either.” (www.hortmag.com)
There were no care instructions with the plant. Was it as hardy as it looked, or was this a finicky, unsuitable-in-a-house plant that was expected to die before winter is over? I did not find Selaginella in my copy of The Complete Houseplant Survival Guide, which lists over 160 types of plants, so I went back to the internet.
Here I found reminders of why it’s important to consult a variety of sources. For instance, an article at Dave’s Garden website (davesgarden.com) says that “Frosty Fern is no harder to care for than other winter seasonal plants.” Horticulture Magazine also says that “Frosty fern is easy go grow indoors,” but carefully adds, “with a few accommodations for its specific needs.”
The fact is that Frosty fern, native to South and east Africa, the Azores, and the Canary Islands, likes bright, indirect light, consistent soil moisture, and humidity. A key to the need for moisture is in Horti-
ture Magazine’s statement that “Frosty fern grows very well in a closed terrarium.” Another option they cite is to include it in a dish garden, “provided they have the same soil and watering needs.” Says Dave’s Garden, “Group Frosty between other plants. It’ll appreciate their shared moist exhalations.”
Another example of the need to be a good information detective is in the suggestion that after being cooped up in a dry environment all winter, frosty fern will be happy to go outdoors for some bright sunlight and humidity. “Should your Frosty make it to spring in tip top shape,” says Horticulture Magazine, “you might consider taking it outside. The Royal Horticultural Society granted an Award of Garden Merit to this plant... The spikemoss’ bright green, frosted fronds would cheerfully brighten a very shady moist garden.”
That’s lovely. But keep reading and you’ll discover that, “Unfortunately, Krauss’ spikemoss has become invasive in New Zealand and naturalized in many other areas. With that in mind, one might better seek out local native perennial evergreens.”
One more care tip: Steve Asbell (www.therainforestgarden.com) points out that frosty ferns “hate hard water,” saying that “your tap water carries a hidden slurry of minerals that, while harmless to us, are damaging to sensitive ferns and clubmosses.” The article suggests that either bottled water (pricey) or filtered water is best.
I like this little plant and will do my best to keep it happy indoors. But it reminds me that Christmas plants are unfortunately often like Easter chicks and bunnies — many probably don’t make it. For the full articles check:
http://www.hortmag. com/plants/plants-we-love/ frosty-fern-another-newholiday-houseplant
https://davesgarden. com/guides/articles/ view/5258\
http://www.therainforestgarden.com/2016/01/ how-to-care-for-frostyferns.html Pam Baxter is an avid organic vegetable gardener who lives in Kimberton. Direct e-mail to pamelacbaxter@gmail. com, or send mail to P.O. Box 80, Kimberton, PA 19442. Share your gardening stories on Facebook at “Chester County Roots.” And check out Pam’s new book for children and families: Big Life Lessons from Nature’s Little Secrets. Available at amazon.com.