Frosty fern is a friendly looking, cute little plant worth trying or giving. Answer: Actually, the Frosty Fern really isnât a fern. Frosty Fern Rhizophores These aerial roots are called rhizophores and have a structure more similar to a stem than a root (they have a protective coating while they are … It won't hurt the fern to remove them. Ditto for temperature: if youâre comfortable, your plant will also be comfortable. So, either avoid fertilizer or fertilize only very lightly and infrequently. Thatâs because it needs conditions that arenât easy to maintain in the average home. When you move a fern, it may need some help getting settled in its new location. ( Log Out / The thin stems that intrigued you, reminding you of stilts, are actually aerial roots. Pot your frosty fern in a container with drainage holes in the bottom. Frosty ferns are actually a type of spike moss, but spike mosses aren't really moss either. He resides in Quebec City, Quebec, Canada. Frosty ferns do very well in open or closed terrariums or a glass cloche which trap humidity. This family is distinguished from Lycopodiaceae (the clubmosses) by having scale-leaves bearing a ligule and by having spores of two types.They are sometimes included in an informal paraphyletic group called the "fern allies".S. Selaginella martensii Spring is an evergreen perennial fern that is native to South America and New Zealand that can form rhizophores (leafless aerial roots) at branching sites. Its fronds have creamy white naturally 'frosted' edges.The newest leaves are pale and grow at the edges of the branchlets. Frosty ferns are actually a type of spike moss, but spike mosses aren't really moss either. Tuck the stem cutting into the hole and set it in a warm position to root. Feed your frosty fern once per week with a diluted, high-nitrogen Your email address will not be published. I have seen only a few of these, but sort of suspected that they were no easier to grow than their relatives that grow wild on tree trunks in the forest. The fern’s creeping habits are facilitated by dropping aerial roots from the stem of its leaves at the point where the leaf branches into two leaves. Water your frosty fern twice per week or enough to keep the soil moist. The frosty fern is sometimes referred to as a moss fern or holiday fern, but the plant is neither a fern or a moss. Here are 6 things you should know about this luscious new holiday houseplant. This allows the plant to expand outwards over time. To keep it going on a dining room table or windowsill, increase the humidity by using a humidifier and place it on a humidity tray. On the other hand, in summer, when temperatures range well above 21 ËC, it may temporarily lose its white variegation and become entirely green. The frosty fern (Selaginella krausianna variegatus) is a fast-growing and creeping plant that can be used for a ground cover or as a houseplant. In nature, spikemoss is a ground cover, forming a green carpet in its natural environment, the tropical forests of Central America. But, in fact, it is no fern at all. Container Considerations and Tips. they're in 4" pots and being marketed as the "Frosty Fern" with a snowman on the label. This fern lives near the rivers and bogs with acidic soil, particularly in Asia, Europe, and Africa. I got this Frosty Fern today and was wondering what the "whiskers" were. Outdoors it prefers shade. 1. Change ), You are commenting using your Twitter account. Instead, place the pot on a saucer or use a decorative pot instead, dumping any excess water that puddles up. It is best grown in a container that is wider than it is deep as the feature that makes this fern particularly attractive is its aerial roots. âFrosty Fernâ is actually a recent trademark chosen by a merchant to stimulate sales. Frosty fern is a petite, desktop size plant now popping up among the usual Christmas cacti and myriad Poinsettias. 'Frosty Fern' is a delicate, lacey thing just few inches tall. Also, it prefers that its soil always remain moist, even wet, a stark contrast with most indoor plants: youâd normally allow them to dry out a bit before watering. Spikemosses are primitive plants that are neither ferns nor mosses, but something in between. Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in: You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. If the ends are turning brown or crispy lack of humidity is the likely culprit. ( Log Out / Frosty Ferns need Drainage In other words, get it out of that gawdawful red cellophane wrapper so that water won't sit and rot the roots of the plant. Variegated spike moss (Selaginella martensii âVariegataâ), sold under the name Frosty Fern. I don't know much about this species but it loves a lot of water, high humidity with dappled sunlight! Let’s call it “Frosty” because it looks like the tips are frosted; and everyone will think it’s a fern, so let’s run with Frosty Fern!” The tips of the leaves do look frosted… To confuse matters even more, some knowledgeable plant people look at it and say, “Well, of course, it’s not a fern; that’s a spike moss, or club moss.” Consequently when it is in active growth it should be watered twice a week. When they are brought in on firewood, they shrivel immediately because the air of the interior of the home is too dry for them. Archived. It earned both names based on its appearance rather than its taxonomy. They are perfectly healthy and I bought 3, supposedly to give as gifts. Frosty fern is a soft, friendly looking little guy. Season: Year-round for foliage. It is named âfrosty fernâ because of its beautiful white leaves, which is also why it is used for ornamental purposes. Foliar Nematode Asplenium: Small dark green spots form at the base of fronds. Frosty fern or the African clubmoss is a vascular plant species that grows naturally in the Azores and in some parts of the African mainland. Selaginella is the sole genus of vascular plants in the family Selaginellaceae, the spikemosses or lesser clubmosses.. Frost is a thin layer of ice on a solid surface, which forms from water vapor in an above-freezing atmosphere coming in contact with a solid surface whose temperature is below freezing, and resulting in a phase change from water vapor (a gas) to ice (a solid) as the water vapor reaches the freezing point.In temperate … Spikemosses are primitive plants that are neither ferns nor mosses, but something in between. Examine roots for nematode and root rot symptoms. So what is it, really? They are pretty in the winter, and they go mostly dormant in the summer. Happy ardening! Water frequently, but don’t let your plant’s roots sit in standing water. Frosty ferns are actually spikemosses in the Selaginella genus; a variegated form of Selaginella kraussiana to be precise. It is white at first, contrasting with the darker green color of older sections, and this does gives a frosted look to the plant. ... Perennials, Herbs & Vegetables, Spring Rooted Liners, Mums & Asters SUMMER & FALL • Finished Asters, Mums, Flowering … Spots turn brown to black as they enlarge. Many club mosses belong to another lycopod family, the Lycopodiaceae. Itâs a Selaginella or spikemoss: more specifically Selaginella martensii âVariegataâ. To propagate with stem cuttings, you will need to take a cutting of around 4 inches and dip the cut end in rooting hormone. It is named “frosty fern” because of its beautiful white leaves, which is also why it is used for ornamental purposes. 3. Trim a transplanted fern by half to help it thrive. Discover gardening made easy. Finally, donât overfertilize this plant. For example, it will grow in shade or partial shade, even sun (as long as you keep it moist). These commonly grown houseplants are tropical forest floor dwellers, until the roots that emerge on the stem find a vertical support, like a tree. Larry Hodgson is one of Canadaâs best-known garden communicators. Unlike true moss, spike mosses have roots and leaves. In addition to those already listed (orchids, ferns, bromeliads, Epiphyllum), add Philodendron and Pothos. Log in, Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window), Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window).