Broom Forkmoss

Broom Forkmoss | Dicranum Scoparium

Sweeping across shaded forest floors in a feathery display is Broom Forkmoss, a unique groundcover with many hidden talents. While exotic in appearance, it is native to North America, spreading indefinitely through understated, moist, and shaded landscapes. It can even be found thriving on top of decaying wood, breathing new hope into an area. Bring forth and elevate your space with the intrigue of broom forkmoss by cultivating it in your garden, landscape, or indoor terrarium.

Plant Details - Broom Forkmoss (Dicranum Scoparium)

Family: Dicranaceae

Light Requirement: Partial Shade- Full Shade

Water Needs: Moderate

Height: 1-3 in.

Spread: Indefinite

Growth Rate: Moderate

Wildlife Value: Provides nesting material for birds, habitat for small creatures, and stabilizes soil to prevent erosion

The leaves of this plant range across the entire green spectrum, depending on the health of the environment. In optimal conditions, the leaves are a deep, solid green color. Because of this, the moss is used as an indicator species by scientists assessing the overall health of a forest. This moss serves many critical functions in an ecosystem as a low-growing habitat for small critters. It also enhances the local humidity in a habitat, and its dense mats stabilize the soil and substrate it grows upon.

Landscape Uses and Maintenance - Broom Forkmoss (Dicranum Scoparium)

This moss is an effective groundcover, slowly spreading horizontally to fill in any space it’s given on a substrate. It requires a consistent source of moisture and humidity to thrive at its best. Broom Forkmoss is also extremely desirable to grow indoors as it possesses the ability to purify the air, further setting itself apart from other moss species. 

When grown in terrariums or containers indoors, this plant works to capture and filter out environmental pollutants. This is a truly multi-purpose plant that looks awesome.

Noteworthy Characteristics of Broom Forkmoss

Broom Forkmoss stands out with velvety tufts of leaves shaped just like the cleaning appliance itself. Upon close inspection, it has a slightly wild appearance that stands out from other mosses, enhancing the biodiversity of the ecosystem.