Name: Selaginella krausianna variegatus aka frosty fern
Type of Plant: Not a fern at all, but a variegated spike moss or African club moss. This plant is said to be hardy in a zone 8b, so in cold areas needs to be considered a houseplant. It’s native to Africa, the Azores and Mediterranean regions.
Why I love this: This plant is bright green with white tips, and it has a fresh look that is especially welcome as we are in the darkest time of the year. It’s also a plant that encourages creativity. Plant it in a large terrarium, a fairy garden, a pot or other container. Because this plant likes it moist it can, unlike other plants, be well grown in containers without a drainage hole.
A Word to the Wise: This plant likes it warm and wet. Don’t let it get too cold or too dry. It appreciates bottom watering, so one great way to grow it is in a plastic pot that fits inside another container. That way you can put water in the outside, decorative container and then place the plastic pot with the plant into that reservoir.
![](https://coffeeforroses.com/wp-content/uploads/Selaginella-krausianna-variegatus.jpg)
Here is the fresh, “dusted with snow” look of the foliage that made someone, somewhere, say “This could be a great new holiday plant!” I agree.
![Two pots of frosty fern were great in a ceramic bread loaf pan...a nice hostess gift when a bow is added.](https://coffeeforroses.com/wp-content/uploads/frosty_fern_2.jpg)
Two pots of frosty fern were great in a ceramic bread loaf pan…a nice hostess gift when a bow is added.