How much sun does One-cone Clubmoss need?

One-cone Clubmoss grows best in part shade conditions.

Where is One-cone Clubmoss native?

One-cone Clubmoss (Lycopodium lagopus) is native to CT, IL, MA, ME and 11 more states, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).

Is One-cone Clubmoss HOA-friendly?

One-cone Clubmoss takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

One-cone Clubmoss

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Lycopodium lagopus

Last reviewed: August 2026

Light

part shade

Water

medium

Size

2"–8" H × 4"–12" W

Bloom

N/A

Native to

CT, IL, MA, ME and 11 more states

Before you buy

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Cities and water utilities offer rebates for replacing lawn with native and water-wise plants. We track 432 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.

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Browse plants for this ecoregion

Coast Range Puget Lowland Northwestern Forested Mountains Northern Lakes and Forests North Central Hardwood Forests Southern Michigan/Northern Indiana Drift Plains Northeastern Highlands Northeastern Coastal Zone Acadian Plains and Hills

One-cone clubmoss is a low-growing evergreen ground cover that forms dense mats of fine, needle-like foliage. This ancient plant creates a soft, moss-like carpet that stays green year-round and thrives in partial shade with consistent moisture.

In an HOA neighborhood

One-cone Clubmoss takes more care to keep looking intentional in a front yard. Maintenance level: low. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Works well in: backyard only.

Appears wild and unstructured
May be mistaken for moss or weeds
Very low profile can look unkempt

Wildlife value

As a primitive plant that reproduces by spores rather than flowers, it provides minimal direct value to pollinators but offers shelter and foraging habitat for small insects and invertebrates.

Common questions

How much sun does One-cone Clubmoss need?: One-cone Clubmoss grows best in part shade conditions.
Where is One-cone Clubmoss native?: One-cone Clubmoss (Lycopodium lagopus) is native to CT, IL, MA, ME and 11 more states, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).
Is One-cone Clubmoss HOA-friendly?: One-cone Clubmoss takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Native range data from the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew). Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.

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