Pottiaceae
Barbula unguiculata
Barbula unguiculata
Zones 4–9Sun Partial ShadeWater ModerateCare Low
Native Plants · Moss · Bryophyte · Groundcover · Shade · Moisture-Loving · Rock-Garden · Terrarium · Perennial · Cool-Climate
Pet-safeBeginner-friendly
Currently out of stock everywhereStock updated 9/6/2026
Bird-claw beard moss thrives in cool, shaded, and moist conditions such as rock crevices, walls, and disturbed soils. Keep it consistently humid and shield it from direct midday sun to prevent drying out. It requires very little intervention once established in a suitable moist microhabitat.
Growing conditions
The details behind the basics
- Daily light
- 3 hours
- Watering
- Mist or water lightly to keep the moss consistently moist but not waterlogged · Every 5-7 days or when surface begins to dry
- Maintenance
- Low
- Soil pH
- 6–7.5
- Temperature
- -30°F to 95°F
- Cycle
- Perennial
Hardiness
USDA 4a-9b
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Form & growth
Mature size and habit
- Spacing
- 4 in apart
- Growth rate
- Moderate
- Flowers
- No
Ecology & origin
Where it belongs and what it brings
Sources: trefle, usda
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