Plagiomnium maximoviczii

Easy careTerrestrial1–3 cm

Named after the Russian botanist Karl Maximowicz who collected specimens across East Asia, this mat-forming moss grows on the shaded forest floor from central China and Japan to the Russian Far East, where it is locally protected in parts of Siberia. Its leaves curl when dry and spread flat when moist — a natural signal of hydration that makes it easy to read in a terrarium. In its native habitat it grows under dense tree cover where annual humidity exceeds 80% and light rarely surpasses 500 lux, conditions that translate directly to the enclosed microclimate of a closed terrarium.

Build a terrarium with this plant

Care

Prefers high humidity, low light, with 5–26 °C, and reaches 3 cm at maturity.

Light

Shade tolerant(preferred)Indirect light

Humidity

High (60–80%)(preferred)Very high (80%+)

Temperature

0°C20°C40°C
5°C – 26°C

Soil

Sphagnum mix(preferred)Peat mossMoisture retentive

Moisture

Moist(preferred)Wet

Soil pH

5.5 – 7.5

Propagation

Divide an established mat into smaller sections and press them firmly onto moist substrate. New growth emerges from the cut edges within a few weeks.

Native range

Native to Siberia, Russian Far East, China, and Eastern Asia.

Appearance

Growth habit

CreepingClumping

Leaf shape

OvalToothed

Leaf texture

Smooth

Frequently asked

Can Maximowicz's Thyme-Moss grow in a closed terrarium?

Yes. Maximowicz's Thyme-Moss prefers high (60–80%) humidity, which is what a closed terrarium provides, and tolerates shade-tolerant conditions.

Does Maximowicz's Thyme-Moss need drainage?

Maximowicz's Thyme-Moss prefers a moist substrate. Drainage is helpful but not critical; consistent moisture matters more.

What humidity does Maximowicz's Thyme-Moss need?

Maximowicz's Thyme-Moss does best in high (60–80%) humidity.

How tall does Maximowicz's Thyme-Moss grow?

Maximowicz's Thyme-Moss typically reaches 1–3 cm at maturity.

How do you propagate Maximowicz's Thyme-Moss?

Maximowicz's Thyme-Moss can be propagated by division.

References

  1. 1
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    GBIF API — Plagiomnium maximoviczii occurrence data (taxonKey 8370943)

    https://api.gbif.org/v1/occurrence/search?taxonKey=8370943
  3. 3

    Plantarium — Плагиомниум Максимовича (Plagiomnium maximoviczii), Russian distribution: E-SIB, S-FE

    https://www.plantarium.ru/lang/en/page/view/item/65500.html
  4. 4

    PMC — Variation and diversification of the microbiome of Schlechtendalia chinensis on two alternate host plants (Plagiomnium maximoviczii as winter host; habitat data: light 150–500 lux, humidity >80%)

    https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6224032/
  5. 5

    Scientific Reports — Microenvironmental analysis of two alternating hosts (Plagiomnium maximoviczii habitat: 16–18 °C annual average, humidity >80%, Yunnan, China)

    https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-019-57138-8
  6. 6
  7. 7

    The Plant List — Plagiomnium maximoviczii (Lindb.) T.J.Kop.

    http://www.theplantlist.org/tpl1.1/record/tro-35168770