How To Care For Resurrection Plants

Resurrection plants (Selaginella) are also known as trailing spike moss or spreading club moss. Resurrection plants are perennial plants that can survive years of neglect and drought conditions. The fernlike plant turns brown and shrivels up when it doesn't have water for more than 24 hours. The plant will be completely dormant until it receives water, and when it does, the plant resurrects and greens up in a few hours.

Step 1

Use a 4-inch container with no drainage holes in the bottom. Fill the container 2/3 full with water. Let the water sit in the container for one day so that the chemicals in tap water disperse.

Step 2

Add gravel to the container up to the water line. Place the resurrection plant on the gravel. If the plant is dormant and brown, it will take about three hours for the plant to wake up and turn green.

Step 3

Use a container with drainage holes on the bottom with a single layer of gravel as an alternative to plain water. Make a medium of one part hummus, two parts peat moss and one part sand. Add the mixture to the container. Place the resurrection plant on top of the soil and water. The plant does not have roots and just lies on the surface of the medium.

Step 4

Place the container in a location where the resurrection plant will receive full shade, in a room where the temperatures will be above 40 degrees Fahrenheit.

Step 5

Continue to add water to the container to keep the plant green. If you notice that the plant is brown and looks dead, add water and the plant will resurrect. Use tap water that has been sitting for at least 24 hours to let the chemicals in the tap water disperse.