Pincushion Moss
Leucobryum glaucum
Also listed as Bryum glaucum, Dicranodon glaucum
Also known as White Pincushion Moss, White Cushion Moss, Large White Moss
Climate Match for your location
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Pincushion moss is a delicate, cushion-forming moss prized for its soft, silvery-green appearance in shaded woodland gardens. It thrives in consistently moist conditions and requires high humidity.
Why grow it
Leucobryum glaucum forms dense, uniform cushions that provide fine-textured groundcover in shaded woodland settings where many other plants struggle. Compared to other cushion mosses, it maintains its silvery-green color in low-light conditions and establishes readily on acidic soils with consistent moisture, making it useful for stabilizing bare patches under tree canopy.
Watch out for
This moss loses its attractive appearance quickly if allowed to dry out, so it requires reliable moisture availability year-round rather than occasional watering. It may thin or brown if air circulation becomes stagnant or if the surrounding soil becomes compacted, which can impede water infiltration and create conditions favorable to algae growth.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Leucobryaceae
Native to the United States
Native Range
Temperate regions worldwide
Native to: New York
Seasonality
Season of Interest
Ground cover
Low spreading plants that carpet the soil.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
Pincushion moss is a delicate, cushion-forming moss prized for its soft, silvery-green appearance in shaded woodland gardens. It thrives in consistently moist conditions and requires high humidity.
Climate Match for your location
See how well Pincushion Moss grows in your area.
Enter your ZIP code and we'll show you how this plant fits your local climate.
Why grow it
Leucobryum glaucum forms dense, uniform cushions that provide fine-textured groundcover in shaded woodland settings where many other plants struggle. Compared to other cushion mosses, it maintains its silvery-green color in low-light conditions and establishes readily on acidic soils with consistent moisture, making it useful for stabilizing bare patches under tree canopy.
Watch out for
This moss loses its attractive appearance quickly if allowed to dry out, so it requires reliable moisture availability year-round rather than occasional watering. It may thin or brown if air circulation becomes stagnant or if the surrounding soil becomes compacted, which can impede water infiltration and create conditions favorable to algae growth.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Leucobryaceae
Native to the United States
Native Range
Temperate regions worldwide
Native to: New York
Seasonality
Season of Interest
Ground cover
Low spreading plants that carpet the soil.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
Similar ground covers you might consider:
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