Pogonatum urnigerum

Urn Haircap Moss, Urn-bearing Hair Moss

Moderate careTerrestrialNon-toxic25 cm

A small, upright moss with wine-red stems and bluish-green leaves that shift to brown with age. Pogonatum urnigerum belongs to the haircap family (Polytrichaceae), a group known for unusually complex leaf structure — each leaf carries dozens of thin ridges called lamellae on its upper surface, which help regulate moisture loss. In the wild it colonises disturbed ground, sandy banks, and rock crevices from subarctic Alaska and Greenland through the mountains of Europe and Asia, often appearing where snow lingers late into the season. It does best in cool, humid conditions with indirect light and an acidic, well-draining substrate, making it a good fit for temperate closed terrariums kept below 20 °C.

Build a terrarium with this plant
Urn Haircap Moss image

Care

Prefers high humidity, indirect light, with 0–20 °C, and reaches 5 cm at maturity.

Light

Indirect light(preferred)Shade tolerant

Humidity

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

Temperature

0°C20°C40°C
0°C20°C

Soil

Peat moss(preferred)Well drainingSandy

Moisture

Moist(preferred)

Soil pH

4.5 – 6

Propagation

Separate a clump of stems with intact bases and press them onto moist, acidic substrate. Keep humidity high and temperatures cool. New shoots may take several weeks to establish.

Frequently asked

Can Urn Haircap Moss grow in a closed terrarium?

Yes. Urn Haircap Moss prefers high (60–80%) humidity, which is what a closed terrarium provides, and tolerates indirect-light-loving conditions.

Does Urn Haircap Moss need drainage?

Urn Haircap Moss prefers a moist substrate. Drainage is helpful but not critical; consistent moisture matters more.

What humidity does Urn Haircap Moss need?

Urn Haircap Moss does best in high (60–80%) humidity.

Is Urn Haircap Moss pet-safe?

Urn Haircap Moss is considered non-toxic to common household pets.

How tall does Urn Haircap Moss grow?

Urn Haircap Moss typically reaches 2–5 cm at maturity.

How do you propagate Urn Haircap Moss?

Urn Haircap Moss can be propagated by division or spores.

References

  1. 1

    Wikipedia — Pogonatum urnigerum

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pogonatum_urnigerum
  2. 2

    Flora of North America — Pogonatum urnigerum

    https://floranorthamerica.org/Pogonatum_urnigerum
  3. 3

    British Bryological Society — Pogonatum urnigerum species profile

    https://www.britishbryologicalsociety.org.uk/learning/species-finder/pogonatum-urnigerum/
  4. 4

    GBIF — Pogonatum urnigerum (taxonKey 2682986)

    https://www.gbif.org/species/2682986
  5. 5