Stag's-horn Clubmoss
Lycopodium clavatum
Also listed as Lepidotis clavata
Also known as Common Clubmoss, Wolf's-foot Clubmoss, Wolf's Claw Club Moss
Climate Match for your location
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A low-growing evergreen clubmoss with distinctive stag's-horn-like branches, native to temperate and boreal regions. It thrives in cool, shaded woodland conditions and is often used as a delicate groundcover in naturalized garden settings.
Why grow it
Stag's-horn clubmoss offers finer texture and lower profile than many woodland groundcovers, making it useful for shaded areas where typical lawn grasses or mosses may not establish reliably. Its evergreen character and naturally spreading habit require minimal maintenance once established in appropriate cool, acidic soil conditions. Unlike some aggressive groundcovers, it spreads slowly and predictably, suiting gardeners who want gradual woodland restoration rather than rapid coverage.
Watch out for
This species prefers consistently moist but well-drained soil and may decline in dry summers or in warmer regions where humidity drops significantly. Foot traffic and soil compaction stress the plant, so site it in areas receiving light use only. It can take 2-3 seasons to establish a dense cover, requiring patience during establishment.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Lycopodiaceae
Native to the United States
Native Range
Northern Hemisphere temperate and boreal regions
Native to: Alaska, California, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Delaware, Georgia, Iowa, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, North Carolina, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, West Virginia
Seasonality
Season of Interest
Ground cover
Low spreading plants that carpet the soil.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
A low-growing evergreen clubmoss with distinctive stag's-horn-like branches, native to temperate and boreal regions. It thrives in cool, shaded woodland conditions and is often used as a delicate groundcover in naturalized garden settings.
Climate Match for your location
See how well Stag's-horn Clubmoss grows in your area.
Enter your ZIP code and we'll show you how this plant fits your local climate.
Why grow it
Stag's-horn clubmoss offers finer texture and lower profile than many woodland groundcovers, making it useful for shaded areas where typical lawn grasses or mosses may not establish reliably. Its evergreen character and naturally spreading habit require minimal maintenance once established in appropriate cool, acidic soil conditions. Unlike some aggressive groundcovers, it spreads slowly and predictably, suiting gardeners who want gradual woodland restoration rather than rapid coverage.
Watch out for
This species prefers consistently moist but well-drained soil and may decline in dry summers or in warmer regions where humidity drops significantly. Foot traffic and soil compaction stress the plant, so site it in areas receiving light use only. It can take 2-3 seasons to establish a dense cover, requiring patience during establishment.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Lycopodiaceae
Native to the United States
Native Range
Northern Hemisphere temperate and boreal regions
Native to: Alaska, California, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Delaware, Georgia, Iowa, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, North Carolina, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, West Virginia
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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