Sagina subulata
A low-growing evergreen groundcover forming dense mats with tiny white flowers, suited to sun to partial shade in well-drained soil and commonly used between stones, in rock gardens, or as a lawn substitute.
Common Names
Irish Moss, Heath Pearlwort, Pearlwort, Lawn Pearlwort, Lawn Spurrey, Scotch Moss, Awl-Leaf Pearlwort
Summary
Sagina subulata, commonly called Irish moss, is a low-growing evergreen perennial that forms dense, moss-like mats of slender stems with fine linear leaves and tiny white flowers rising on stems up to about 4 cm high in summer. Native to Europe, it stays under 10 cm tall and spreads about 0.1–0.5 m, making it an ideal ground cover for rock gardens, between stepping stones, or as a lawn substitute.
It prefers full sun to partial shade and moist, well-drained soil, tolerating chalk, loam, or sandy soils, and is hardy in USDA zones 4–8; not drought-tolerant, it requires regular moisture to prevent browning. Maintenance is low, propagation is by seed or division, and uses include ground cover for gaps in paving, rock gardens, troughs, patios, or small low-use lawns.
Lifecycle
Perennial, Annual
Height
1-2 inches
Spread
4-12 inches
Hardiness Zones
Zones 4-8
Sunlight Requirements
Ideally full Sun, tolerates partial sun and partial shade.
Soil Type
Well-draining, evenly moist soil
Soil Drainage
Well-drained soil
Soil pH
5.6-7.5, Acid to neutral soil
Bloom Color
White
Bloom Time
Spring to Summer
Foliage Color
Green, emerald green, deep green, light green, yellow-green
Fall Foliage Color
Green
Leaf Lifecycle
Other
Growth Rate
Moderate
Seasons of Interest
Spring and Summer
Propagation Methods
Seeds, Division
Attracts Wildlife
Attracts birds
Taxonomy
- Taxonomic Rank
- Species
- Author
- C.Presl
- Publication
- Fl. Sicul. : 158 (1826)
Superior Taxa
- Kingdom
- Plantae
- Subkingdom
- Pteridobiotina
- Phylum
- Angiosperms
- Order
- Caryophyllales
- Family
- Caryophyllaceae
- Genus
- Sagina
Synonyms
Spergula subulata Phaloe subulata Spergella subulata Alsine subulata