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Thursday, February 13, 2025

Lycopodiums Now within the Genus Huperzia and Learn how to Look after Them


How do you take care of lycopodiums? (Now within the genus huperzia) These vegetation are so bizarre and superb. I first noticed a Lycopodium (Huperzia) in Elvin McDonald’s ebook, The New Houseplant (web page 45). It was an image of a florist’s window in New York with one in all these vegetation hanging in it. There was nothing to inform me what it was, because it was within the background of the image. I beloved all of it the identical.

My lycopodiums

The following time I noticed it was at a neighborhood greenhouse and I parted with some huge cash and purchased it. It was fairly a big hanging plant. I hung it in my sunroom, however sadly, it was too scorching, it dried out, and I misplaced it. I used to be so bummed. 

Know Your Plant

That is an instance of the significance of realizing what your vegetation want earlier than inserting them in your house. If I had researched it first, I might have recognized it didn’t need to dry out and prefers elevated humidity.

Lycopodium squarrosa (huperzia)
My Lycopodium (Huperzia) on the counter 2014

My second lycopodium

So, the subsequent time, I purchased a small one although it was nonetheless costly. For a very long time, it was on my counter the place I made certain it by no means dried out and the humidity was excessive. I purchased it the summer time of 2013, and it took over a 12 months to double in dimension. (See image above.) These aren’t the fastest-growing vegetation.

Lycopodium squarrosa
My second Lycopodium or Huperzia squarrosa 2023

The plant above is my plant immediately and it’s getting large. I have to up-pot it and can use an everyday potting combine and can add some orchid bark for aeration. Beneath is an Instagram submit I made immediately so you may see your entire plant.

lycopodium (huperzia) stem
Lycopodium (huperzia) department

Not a real fern

Although the widespread title, tassel fern, would lead you to consider they’re ferns, they aren’t. They’re spore-producing and are distantly associated to ferns. Those we’re discussing immediately are epiphytic. There are terrestrial ones as nicely, however not as simple to develop.

They’re referred to as tassel ferns, becase of the tassel like growths that seem of the tip of the branches. Thse are the spore-bearing receptacles.

They like moist, humid situations and don’t tolerate drying out for lengthy, thus the rationale my first one is lifeless. Lycopodium comes from the Greek lukos, wolf, and podion, foot. They’re also called floor pines or creeping cedar.

Matthaei Botanical Backyard Lycopodium

After I noticed this at Matthaei Botanical Gardens in Ann Arbor, I used to be much more enamored with this plant. I imply, take a look at that!

Lycopodium squarrosa at Mathaei Botanical Garden
It is a Lycopodium (Huperzia) squarrosum at Matthaei Botanical Gardens

Longwood Gardens Lycopodiums (Huperzia)

After I walked into the fern hall at Longwood Gardens in Pennsylvania in2012 and noticed a lot of them and I used to be blown away. (I used to be already ecstatic to be there!) There have been huge specimens hanging from the ceiling. Wow! The next are footage of these. There are lots of varieties, however I couldn’t learn the tags and am undecided about them.

Care of Lycopodiums

By no means allow them to dry out for lengthy. This I’ve discovered from expertise. Mine is rising within the west window and appears to like it and I by no means let it dry out. My plant which I purchased in 2013 has change into an enormous plant. After I go away for per week or so, I be sure that my husband is aware of to not let it dry out. As massive as it’s now, it could be costly to interchange it. And I might be upset.

I hope you discover one in all these superb vegetation so as to add to your assortment. They are surely architectual and bizarre vegetation. What extra might you ask for in a houseplant?

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