How often should I water it?

You can let it dry out completely between waterings or keep it in a shallow tray of water for short periods.

Will it turn green again?

Yes, once hydrated, the brown, curled fronds will unfurl and turn green within a few hours.

Plant guide

Resurrection plant.

Selaginella lepidophylla

Pronounced sel-uh-jin-EL-uh lep-ih-doh-FIL-uh

Also known as dinosaur plant, false rose of Jericho, flower of stone, resurrection moss, resurrection-plant, rose-of-Jericho

Selaginella lepidophylla — Photo by EJ Burns (CC0) via gbif

This fascinating desert plant is famous for its ability to survive extreme dehydration by curling into a tight brown ball. When it gets moisture, it unfurls and turns green again. It is a unique botanical wonder that thrives on patience.

At a glance

Care level: Easy
Plant type: Lycophyte
Light: Bright indirect light is best for growth.
Indoor light: Bright indirect
Water: Every 1 to 7 days
Mature size: 6 inches
Growth rate: Slow
Hardiness: USDA 9 to 11

Care

Place the dried ball in a shallow dish of water to watch it rehydrate. Keep the water level low to avoid rot and let the plant dry out completely between cycles. Watch for mold if the plant stays wet for too long.

Watering: Water only when you want to see the plant open up.
Feeding: Fertilizing is generally not needed for this plant.
Pruning: Trim away any dead or moldy sections if necessary.
Repotting: This plant does not require traditional potting.
Soil: None required for dormant state.
Soil pH: Neutral
Temperature: 10 to 35°C
Humidity: 20 to 50%
Drought tolerance: High
Lifespan: Perennial, can live for many years with proper care.
Deer and rabbits: Moderate

Signs it needs repotting

Roots circling the bottom of the container.
Plant growth has stalled significantly.
Substrate has broken down into fine dust.

Safety

People: It is generally considered non toxic to humans.
Children: The dry, brittle foliage can be sharp and may cause minor scratches if handled roughly by small children.
Edibility: This plant is not intended for consumption and may cause digestive distress.

How to identify it

Tight brown ball when dry
Unfurls into green rosette when wet
Fern like scale leaves
Spore producing lycophyte

Height: 0.05 to 0.15m
Spread: 0.15 to 0.3m
Leaves: green, brown, evergreen
Flowers: 0cm

Problems to watch for

By symptom

Plant problems by symptom

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Growing it

Propagation: division, cuttings
When to plant: spring, summer
Overwintering: Keep the plant in a dry, cool location during winter if you want it to enter a dormant phase. Avoid freezing temperatures.
In containers: It is perfect for shallow containers or decorative bowls since it does not require deep soil.

Division

1. Gently separate the root mass during the active growing season.
2. Place the division in a shallow dish with moist, well draining substrate.
3. Keep humidity moderate until established.

Group this with other desert succulents that appreciate bright, indirect light and infrequent watering.

Grows well with

Echeveria · They share similar requirements for bright light and well draining soil.
Haworthia · These succulents thrive in similar low humidity and light conditions.

Similar species

True Rose of Jericho · Often confused with this species but is a different plant entirely.

Science

Family: Selaginellaceae
Genus: Selaginella
Order: Selaginellales
Class: Lycopodiopsida
Native range: Chihuahuan Desert of North America.
Conservation: It is not currently listed as endangered but wild harvesting should be discouraged to protect natural populations.

It survives extreme desert heat and drought by entering a state of dormancy where its metabolism slows significantly.

Uses: curiosity plant, desktop display, educational tool

Through the year

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Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

Salinity: 2/9
Soil reaction: 6/9
Light: 4/9
Temperature: 7/9
Moisture: 2/9
Nutrients: 2/9

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

How often should I water it?: You can let it dry out completely between waterings or keep it in a shallow tray of water for short periods.
Will it turn green again?: Yes, once hydrated, the brown, curled fronds will unfurl and turn green within a few hours.

Where the name comes from

The genus name Selaginella is a diminutive of Selago, an ancient name for a clubmoss, while lepidophylla refers to its scaly leaves.

Good to know

It is often called the Rose of Jericho, though it is distinct from the true Anastatica hierochuntica.
The plant can remain in a dormant, curled state for years before rehydrating.
It does not produce flowers or seeds, reproducing instead via spores.
The brown color of the dormant state is natural and not a sign of death.

Also in

Drought-tolerant plants

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This guide was generated with AI on September 26, 2026 and checked against GBIF taxonomy. It is general information, not horticultural or veterinary advice. Read about how we build these guides.