Kindbergia, Genus, spp., Multiple species,
- Genus
- Multiple species
Northern Hemisphere temperate regions including the Pacific Northwest
SunFull Shade – Part Shade
WaterHigh
Overview
Kindbergia is a genus of about four species of pleurocarpous mosses in the family Brachytheciaceae, found across temperate and humid regions of the Northern Hemisphere and parts of the Southern Hemisphere. Plants form spreading, feathery mats of creeping main stems from which regularly spaced, tapering branches arise, giving a fern-like or plume-like pattern. Shoots are 0.04-0.12 inch (1-3 mm) wide and creep over the ground, decaying logs, tree bases, and shaded rock, with mats extending several inches to over a foot (a few centimetres to 30+ cm) across. The small leaves are triangular to heart-shaped, drawn into a narrow point, and run down the stem at the base; under a hand lens a single midrib reaches partway up each leaf. Spore capsules are borne on reddish stalks roughly 0.4-0.8 inch (10-20 mm) tall and are curved and cylindrical. Kindbergia needs consistent humidity and shade and dries to a dull, shrunken state in prolonged sun or drought, reviving when moisture returns. It anchors by rhizoids rather than true roots and takes no nutrients from the surfaces it grows on.
Native Range
Kindbergia occurs in temperate and oceanic climates of the Northern Hemisphere, including western and eastern North America and Europe, with species also recorded in parts of Australasia and South America. It is common in moist forests, where K. praelonga and K. oregana carpet soil, logs, and tree bases in the Pacific Northwest.Suggested Uses
Kindbergia is used in shade and moss gardens, on logs and stonework, and in terraria and bonsai plantings as a groundcover layer. It stabilises the surface of moist, shaded soil. It depends on steady moisture and shade, so it is unsuited to sunny, dry, or heavily trafficked sites.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height1" - 3"
Width/Spread1' - 2'
Colors
Foliage Colors
Fall Foliage Colors
Detailed Descriptions
Foliage Description
green to yellow-greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Tolerates up to 3 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
Water & Climate
Water Needs
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Plants grow in deep to dappled shade on continuously moist, acidic substrates such as forest soil, rotting wood, and the bases of trees. Steady atmospheric humidity matters more than rich soil, and mats establish from fragments or wind-borne spores without planting. Direct sun, drying winds, and reflected heat cause the mats to brown and shrink. In moss gardens or terraria, regular misting and protection from disturbance keep the mats green. The shoots take no nutrients from their host surfaces, so fertiliser is unnecessary and can encourage competing algae. Foot traffic and raking break the mats apart.Pruning
No pruning is needed. Mats can be trimmed at the edges or lifted in sections to control their spread or to transplant fragments elsewhere. Clearing fallen leaves and debris from the surface keeps light reaching the shoots.Container Growing
Suitable for container growing
