Breutelia affinis
red-heart moss
Overview
Breutelia affinis is a cushion- and turf-forming moss with slender, upright to spreading stems often flushed red at the base, the feature behind the name red-heart moss. The small leaves are narrow and spreading, yellow-green to golden, and crowded along the stems, giving soft mounds and mats 1-4 inches (2.5-10 cm) deep that spread across the ground. As a moss it has no true roots, flowers, or seeds; it anchors by thread-like rhizoids and reproduces by spores released from capsules raised on slender stalks. Native to Australia and New Zealand, it grows in damp, shaded habitats such as stream banks, seepage lines, moist forest floors, and the bases of rocks, where humidity stays high. It depends on constant moisture and shade and dries out and browns in sun or drought, reviving when moisture returns. The plant forms low, soft carpets rather than upright growth and spreads slowly outward. Its golden to red-tinged tones and cushion form give a soft, low ground layer in moist, shaded settings, where it grows alongside ferns and other moisture-loving plants.
Native Range
Native to Australia and New Zealand, where it grows in damp, shaded habitats including stream banks, seepage lines, moist forest floors, and the bases of rocks. It favors humid, sheltered positions.Suggested Uses
Used in terrariums, shaded rock and bog gardens, and as a moist ground layer among ferns. Suited to damp, sheltered, low-light spots kept consistently humid, where it forms a soft green-and-gold carpet.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height1" - 4"
Width/Spread4" - 1'
Reaches mature size in approximately 2 years
Bloom Information
As a moss, it produces no flowers. It reproduces by spores carried in capsules raised on slender stalks above the cushion, maturing mainly in the cooler, wetter months. The plant otherwise grows steadily whenever moisture and shade are available.
Detailed Descriptions
Foliage Description
Yellow-green to goldenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 1-4 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Grows in shade to part shade with constant moisture and high humidity, on damp soil, peat, rotting wood, or moist rock. It has no roots and absorbs water over its whole surface, so steady dampness and humidity matter more than soil type. It browns and goes dormant in dry air or sun and revives when moisture returns. Rainwater or soft water suits it better than hard tap water. It tolerates cold and light frost in sheltered sites. In terrariums and shaded bog gardens it grows as a low carpet kept reliably moist.Pruning
No pruning is needed. Dead or damaged patches can be lifted away, and pieces of the cushion replanted to spread the moss. Clearing fallen debris keeps the carpet open to light and moisture.Container Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 1 gallons