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

Toxicity unknown

One-cone Clubmoss (Lycopodium lagopus) is not listed by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (opens in new tab) or the other sources we check, so we have no verdict for it either way. Absence from those lists is not a clearance. If your pet shows symptoms after eating any plant, call the ASPCA at (888) 426-4435.

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

Your city may pay you to plant this

Cities and water utilities offer rebates for replacing lawn with native and water-wise plants. We track 452 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.

Find rebates in your area

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.

If something looks wrong

Common plant problems, and what to check first

These come up on almost any plant. Each guide lists the likely causes in the order they are worth ruling out, with one thing to check before you act on any of them, and links to the source it came from.

See all plant problem guides

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