Creating a Moss Terrarium on Your Own (Home-Made Moss Garden): Detailed Guide
Slimy Succulents and Puffed-Up Plants: A Mossarium Crash Course
Who needs flowers when you can have an entire miniature ecosystem growing in a glass container? It's time to give the "green thumb" treatment to moss terrariums, a gorgeous line-up of chart-topping greenery, and show you how to build your own captivating mossarium.
First, let's ditch the mainstream terrarium plants and give some love to the often underrated heroes of horticulture: mosses!
We're going to introduce you to four of the best buddies to add to your mossarium collection. Remember, with around 12,000 species of mosses out there, this is just the tip of the iceberg.
1 | Cushion Moss (Leucobryum glaucum)
The most popular search term for mosses? You guessed it—Cushion Moss! Although many types of moss get grouped under this term, it primarily refers to the species Leucobryum glaucum, which is commonly found across North America and Europe. Recognized by their distinctive pillow-shaped leaves, this moss takes center stage as the go-to choice for terrariums looking to create a quintessential scene of rolling hills and shrubs.
Shop Now: Live Cushion Moss
2 | Fern Moss (Thuidium delicatulum**)
Fern Moss is the rascally troublemaker you'll see crawling across tree trunks, rocks, and forest floors in Europe, Japan, and North America. It thrives in a neutral pH environment and is typically a species of moss that's easily mistaken for one another. Looking to create a mini-forest? Fern Moss is the perfect ingredient for your mossarium's lush, verdant aesthetic.
Shop Now: Live Fern Moss
3 | Mood Moss (Dicranum scoparium)
Climbing plants and shrubbery not your taste? No worries—Mood Moss has got you covered! With an acrocarpous growth habit (long, branching, clumpy stems), Mood Moss is the Hollywood A-lister of mosses, boasting thick, wavy green tufts up to 10 cm in height. And the best part? Once you choose this moss for your mossarium, it can effortlessly carpet large areas.
Shop Now: Live Mood Moss
4 | Hypnum Moss (Hypnum cupressiforme and Hypnum imponens)
Commonly dubbed the "community leader," Hypnum Moss can be found on trees, deadwood, rock faces, and soil across every continent—except, you guessed it, Antarctica. This moss enjoys acidic soil, making it the perfect addition to bring some edge to your mossarium.
Shop Now: Live Hypnum Moss
Peep our shop collection for more moss types, and let's get started on that mossarium masterpiece!
Now that you've picked out your perfect green friends, it's time to learn the nine simple steps to create a show-stopping mossarium.
How to Build Your Mind-Blowing Mossarium
1 | Pick out a Vessel
Choosing the }) container is integral to the final look of your mossarium. You want to steer towards glassware that either has a lid or a narrow entrance to maintain good humidity levels within. Once you've settled on your container, give it a good clean before getting started.
2 | Prepare the Substrate
While not as crucial as with regular terrarium plants, a decent substrate mix is still necessary to provide structural support for your moss. A blend of acidic, clay-based soil and activated charcoal is recommended. Although, you can use various substrate mixtures without any repercussions on your moss.
3 | Add Hardscape
While optional, adding decorative elements like rocks, stones, and driftwood will make your mossarium significantly more appealing. You can even use Lava Rock for your moss to grow right on it!
4 | Shape the Landscape
Now that your hardscape is in place, arrange it to best show off your mossarium's scene. From a design perspective, position the largest pieces at the back of the container, with smaller elements cascading to the foreground for maximum visibility.
5 | Prepare Your Moss
Before adding your Mood Moss to the scene, ensure it is moist by soaking it in a bowl of water for 10 minutes if it's fresh or half an hour if it's dried. If your moss has rhizomes (root-like structures), consider trimming those away to maintain a cleaner look.
6 | Place Your Plush Plants
Armed with your moss and terrarium tools, gently press the moss into the soil or hardscape. Moss does not have roots, so you don't have to worry about anchoring it deeply.
7 | Add Spare Accessories (Optional)
Now's the time to add any additional accessories to your mossarium, such as branches of spiderwood or brightly colored pebbles or seashells.
8 | Incorporate Microfauna (Optional)
Introduce springtails (tiny detritivore insects) to your mossarium to turn it into a bioactive ecosystem. This is an excellent way to add a touch of life and nutrients to the soil.
9 | Watering and Maintenance
Keep your mossarium moist but not overly saturated by misting the glass periodically. Filtered or purified water is ideal, but distilled water can also work. With proper care, your mossarium should remain lush and verdant for months on end.
Mosses require bright indirect light, partial shade, and high humidity levels within their terrariums to thrive. Be sure to keep your mossarium away from excessive direct light or heat sources to prevent it from drying out prematurely.
With the right watering techniques and maintenance, your mossarium should stay fresh, vibrant, and awe-inspiring for months to come! If you'd like to know more about moss or share any botanical expertise, feel free to drop a comment below.
Happy mossing!
- To enhance the home-and-garden appeal of your mossarium, consider including gardening elements like Fern Moss, which is often found crawling across tree trunks, rocks, and forest floors, giving a mini-forest feel to your creation.
- Transform your lifestyle by creating a unique home decoration with a mossarium made from Cushion Moss, known for its distinctive pillow-shaped leaves and popularity in creating quintessential scenes of rolling hills and shrubs, making it an excellent addition to your home décor.
%3A%20Detailed%20Guide){kind=link}