Club Moss — (c) Nicola van Berkel, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), uploaded by Nicola van Berkel
Photo by (c) Nicola van Berkel, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), uploaded by Nicola van BerkeliNaturalistCC BY-SA
Pet safety reference

Club Moss

Selaginella kraussiana

Club Moss is a low-growing, fern-like plant often used in terrariums and as a ground cover. It is considered non-toxic to pets, though its fibrous nature may cause minor digestive upset if consumed in large quantities.

African clubmossKrauss's spikemossSelaginella kraussianaTrailing spikemoss
Light
Bright indirect light
Habit
Creeping
Care
High

Safety status

Cats & Dogs

Generally safe

Consulted references do not classify the plant as toxic for that pet type, while still allowing for mild GI upset if large amounts are chewed.

Verified against ASPCA/provenance audit 2026-05-06 on May 6, 2026.

If a pet has chewed or swallowed plant material and is showing symptoms, contact a veterinarian or poison resource immediately. This product is for structured reference, not diagnosis.

Catsconcern notes

Common signs

None expected, though large ingestions of fibrous plant material may cause mild vomiting or diarrhea.

Escalation note

The plant is non-toxic; however, if your cat consumes a significant amount and shows persistent signs of distress, contact your veterinarian.

Dogsconcern notes

Common signs

None expected, though large ingestions of fibrous plant material may cause mild vomiting or diarrhea.

Escalation note

The plant is non-toxic; however, if your dog consumes a significant amount and shows persistent signs of distress, contact your veterinarian.

Bring it home

Club Mossis generally pet-safe in ordinary household exposure. If you’d like one for your space, here’s a starting point.

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Source evidence

ASPCA Toxic Plant List

toxicology · 99% reliability

Open source

Club Moss is listed as non-toxic to cats and dogs.

Kew Plants of the World Online

botanical · 95% reliability

Open source

Accepted botanical classification for Selaginella kraussiana.

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Questions about Club Moss

Is Club Moss toxic to cats?

No, Club Moss (Selaginella kraussiana) is non-toxic to cats. It is considered generally safe, meaning exposure is not expected to cause poisoning or serious harm.

What happens if my cat eats Club Moss?

No toxic symptoms are expected. However, because Club Moss is a fibrous plant, eating a large amount may cause mild vomiting or diarrhea from the bulk plant material alone, not from any toxic compound.

Should I call my vet if my cat ate Club Moss?

A one-time nibble does not require an emergency call. If your cat ate a significant quantity and shows persistent vomiting, diarrhea, or signs of distress, contact your veterinarian.

Does non-toxic mean Club Moss is safe for cats to eat freely?

Non-toxic means the plant does not contain compounds known to poison cats, but that does not make it a safe snack in quantity. Large ingestions of any fibrous plant material can upset a cat's digestive system, so it is best to discourage your cat from eating it.

Is Club Moss toxic to dogs?

No, Club Moss (Selaginella kraussiana) is non-toxic to dogs. It is classified as generally safe, meaning it does not contain poisonous compounds that would harm your dog.

What happens if my dog eats Club Moss?

Because Club Moss is fibrous, eating a large amount may cause mild vomiting or diarrhea, but no toxic reaction is expected. Small nibbles are unlikely to cause any symptoms at all.

How much Club Moss would cause problems for a dog?

Club Moss itself is non-toxic, so no amount poses a poisoning risk. That said, any large ingestion of fibrous plant material can cause temporary GI upset — the concern is mechanical irritation, not toxicity.

When should I call the vet if my dog ate Club Moss?

Club Moss is non-toxic, so most dogs won't need veterinary care after eating it. If your dog consumed a significant quantity and shows persistent vomiting, diarrhea, or signs of distress that don't resolve within a few hours, contact your veterinarian.

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