Selaginella apoda has many advantages as a model species, including a short life cycle. In order to work effectively with a lycophyte model species, it is important to be able to grow the gametophytes and sporophytes quickly. In the case of S. apoda, the gametophytes grow quickly and have high fertilization success in warm nutrient enriched water. Sporophytes at the three root stage can be easily transplanted to soil. They grow well in moist containers at a wide range of temperatures. Treatment with 0.15% Previcur (superscript ®) N prevents most fungal contaminations.