When someone says word ‘moss’, you probably imagine damp forest spots where these mosses grow. But really, you can find moss in many usual places – different surfaces and substrates. Moss grows on pavement edges, on rocks, bricks etc. but is usually overlooked. It also grows in many forests and rainforests around the world. In this article, I will answer many questions about moss and give you tips on growing, caring and using moss in terrariums.
Firstly, let me share some pictures of my moss terrarium that I have made two weeks ago. I have tried to recreate a forest and mountains this time 😉
Which terrarium container should I choose for moss terrarium?
Closed terrariums suit moss better. There will be a water cycle in a closed terrarium, which will keep humidity levels stable. Closed terrarium will create perfect humid conditions for your moss. You can also plant other humidity loving plants together with moss. But of course, you can choose open terrariums – you can definitely use an aquarium or a jar for creating moss terrariums!
So, does moss have a root system?
Moss doesn’t have a true root system. Mosses have rhizoids, root hairs which help these plants secure their shapes. Mosses absorb water into their bodies. But they don’t use rhizoids to absorb nutrients, either.
Mosses also have stems and leaves. They are also good for terrariums – they are easy to plant and need less planting space. Once planted in your terrarium, mosses are low maintenance.
What kinds of mosses are there?
There are more than 20,000 species of mosses. Most of them grow in shady and damp areas. The main types of mosses for terrariums is Dicranum. They are often called mood mosses. These include rock camp moss, mountain-fork, broom-fork moss and others. Mood mosses are very common, and are very dense and pretty.
How to differentiate moss from other plants?
You can get lichen and mosses mixed up when you see them. To make sure it is the moss that you have, look at its
stem, leaves and rhizoids – they should be all separate. Rhizoids look like root ‘hairs’.
How long will moss last in your terrarium?
If you take a proper care of your mosses, they will last for a year or even few in your terrarium. As I already mentioned, they don’t require much maintenance. Most of them are also beautiful and green all year round. The main things that you will need to take care of are moisture levels and proper airflow.
Does moss grow quickly?
Not really. Moss can take few months to grow back its masses. That’s why you need to be careful if removing any moss from the outside or someone else’s land. Slow growth makes moss great for terrariums.
Should I buy or collect moss for my terrarium?
You can both purchase and collect moss yourself. There are different moss options, which come fresh and ready for terrarium use. When buying moss, please note its characteristics, as not all mosses prefer same conditions. There are mosses that live in humid and shady conditions, while others can survive drought and favor sunlight.
You can also collect moss from your yard for terrariums. If you want to collect moss yourself, make sure to prepare first. Remember one thing: when picking moss, note its habitat. You will need to provide this moss with similar conditions for it to grow and stay green. To prepare for moss collection bring these items with you:
- Magnifying glass. You will need magnifying glass to look at your moss closely and to identify it.
- Container, box or a jar. You will collect the moss and put it inside the container.
- Spray bottle or any other water bottle. Spraying moss makes it look refreshed. Even its leaves start coming out when you spray them with water!
When observing the moss, use at least a x10 magnifying glass and get very close to moss. With magnifying glass, you will be able to see small details, like leaves and stem.
Touching moss will help you feel its texture and discover its leaves. Be gentle when touching moss, as it is very fragile and can break from its base if you apply too much pressure.
If you are collecting moss from someone else’s land, ask for permission. Once you break the moss from the surfaces, it takes some time for it to grow back.
Do mosses need fertilizers?
Moss doesn’t need fertilizers. Fertilizer can actually damage mosses and even kill them as they are too strong for these plants. Be careful when giving fertilizers to other plants in the terrarium. Apply fertilizer solution on the soil (if you have other plants) and skip moss surface completely.
Where does moss get its nutrients?
Moss gets nutrients by performing photosynthesis, but does not absorb any from the soil (as it doesn’t have any roots).
My moss has dried and turned brown. What did I do wrong and how to revive moss?
If your moss looks black and dry, it is probably time to water it. Moss stores water in its body, as it doesn’t have any roots. When it gets too windy or hot, moss hides its leaves so that the moisture that it has doesn’t evaporate fully. Some mosses even turn white when they are dry. For watering guide, read the next question.
Moss can also start rotting if you have overwatered it. If you notice brown moss areas with spots, take your time to remove this area completely. You can do this by using gardening tweezers.
How to water moss in a terrarium? And often should I water moss?
Watering your moss will refresh it and help it survive summer heat. You will also notice that moss becomes green and expands its leaves. It will surely appreciate watering sessions and stay green and vibrant.
You should aim placing moss into a closed container terrarium. You must water your moss once in few days in summer if it’s in an open terrarium. If moss is in a closed container, mist it once in about 7-12 days during the summer, and even less in winter.
But you are the owner, so make your own decisions by touching the moss and feeling how dry it is! Everything will depend on type of a container, season and where you store your moss terrarium.
If the moss looks dry, touch it to feel how dry it is. If it feels dry – that means you need to water it. But if it is damp, skip watering for another few days.
When watering moss, be careful not to overwater it. Too much water can kill the plant or cause mold formation. I would highly recommend using spray bottle or mister to water your moss. Spray the whole surface of the moss until its gets wet.
As your moss will be in a terrarium, spraying its surface will be the simplest option. Removing moss from terrarium each time to water it by soaking would be problematic.
The best time to water moss would be later in the evening or early in the morning. Don’t water them in the middle of the day, as humidity levels are quite high between 12pm to 5pm, especially in summer.
What if there is mold growing on my moss?
Mold can grow on you moss if you water it and water doesn’t evaporate due to poor ventilation. To treat that, take moss outside for good ventilation and clean its surface with some tissues. If it comes back, remove an affected area by cutting it with scissors.
Where should I keep a terrarium with moss?
Many people think that moss doesn’t need any sunlight to thrive. That is not true, because moss uses sunlight to produce nutrients through photosynthesis.
But also, your moss doesn’t need to stay under direct sunlight, as it will dry it and cause an excess water evaporation from its surface. Closed terrarium doesn’t need any direct summer sun, as too much heat will build up inside the container and kill the plants and moss.
If it is a closed terrarium with moss, keep it in a cool area in summer. Some sunlight is required, but don’t place your closed terrarium under direct sunlight.
Don’t place your moss terrarium in windy area or somewhere with dry air. Make sure to take it out to your balcony or outside few times a week for nice airflow.
Placing moss inside the terrarium container is excellent, as filtered through glass sunlight will not affect your moss negatively. Best place for your moss would be on the balcony for good airflow. Another good spot would be near a window for some sunlight and air.
How to care for a moss terrarium?
Try picking a glass or plastic terrarium container for your moss terrarium. These containers will retain moisture, which is required by moss.
If you notice that the container has moisture buildup, open it and clean it with a cloth. Once in few months you can even empty the container and wash it with soap.
What tools do I need to make a moss terrarium?
The main tools, that you will need to make a moss terrarium are:
A terrarium container, preferably with a lid.
Stones/pebbles or sand for base. I would highly recommend using black rocks or pebbles as a base for moss. Small or medium lava rocks can be mixed with some soil to create a beautiful design for moss terrariums. There are many other types of bases, such as quartz sand or colored pebbles.
Then, you will need scissors and tweezers for cutting and attaching moss.
For decoration, you can use sphagnum moss like this. Sphagnum moss can go around small rocks or other elements to recreate mountain scenery. You can also attach your main green moss to rock or decorative trees, to create a forest design.
You will also need a trowel and spray bottle.
If you wish to create plant terrarium and add moss to it, read an article about creating a terrarium.
I hope this article helped you learn useful things about moss and how to incorporate this beautifully green plant into your terrariums! Make sure to check out other terrarium articles and leave any questions that you might have below!