
If you’re looking for ways to bring nature into your home without killing off the plants you’re trying to protect, moss is the answer!
Moss is an excellent way to add some greenery to your indoor space without sacrificing your plants. It’s also a great way to ensure harsh chemicals don’t damage your plants.
We’ll share with you our step-by-step process on how to grow moss indoors and how you can use it in any room of your house.
Before you learn how to grow moss indoors, let’s learn more about this plant!
Moss, with a botanical name of Bryophta, is a plant that thrives in damp environments. You’ll see them on the top of a tree or in the crevices of rocks. It has tiny leaves that grow at the ends of branches and stems. Its leaves are made up of tiny flaps called blades, which overlap each other to form a mat-like structure.
One fun fact about moss is that they have no flowers, but it can reproduce by producing spores, and it’s one of the oldest living things on Earth!
But what’s the purpose of growing moss?
Mosses have many uses in the world today. They can be used as decorations on buildings and walls and to make clothing, shoes, wreaths, etc. But is it edible?
Moss is edible but doesn’t have high nutritional value and tastes like any other crop.
What are the different varieties of moss to grow?
There are different varieties of moss that you can grow, but carpet moss or pleurocarpous moss is the one that spreads the most. Some carpet moss includes the following.
- Baby tooth moss
- Shiny sexy moss
- Spoon leaves moss
- Plume moss
Here are a few more moss varieties.
Acrocarpus, or trailing moss, which includes the following.
- Haircap moss
- Wooly fringe moss
- Fire moss
- Cushion moss
- Mood moss
- Juniper moss
Steps on how to grow moss indoors
Here are the steps you need on how to grow moss indoors.
- Choose a variety to grow. We recommend carpet moss.
- You can buy carpet moss at nurseries and make sure they’re living moss and not preserved.
- Get a clear plastic or glass container. It doesn’t have to be deep.
- Prepare your gravel or sand, sterilized acidic potting soil, insect netting or bark, and substrate divider.
- Fill your container with an inch of gravel or sand, whatever you choose.
- You can also use activated charcoal as its base.
- Lay the insect netting or bark.
- Add 2 inches of sterilized potting soil.
- Then plant your moss on top and gently press it into the soil.
- Mist it with water and close the container with a lid.
If you prefer multiple mosses, you can repeat the whole process. Do not forget to label your container if you’re using different types.
Tips for growing moss indoors
Growing moss indoors is a great way to add some greenery to your home, but it’s not a quick and one-snap task. If you’re interested in trying it out, here are some tips for growing moss indoors:
- Get your soil pH right. You’ll need soil with a pH level between 5 to 5.5. If the soil’s pH is too low or too high, your moss won’t be able to thrive.
- Water well. Make sure the soil is moist throughout the growing process, not just at the beginning or end of each day, and keep checking until everything looks fine.
- Once you’ve watered your moss, wait until the top layer dries out before watering again so that you don’t overwater it.
- Keep an eye on pests. Some pests may attack your plant especially aphids. Be aware of what’s happening around you and take action if necessary!
- Placing your moss on top of gravel, sand, or pebbles is important. This helps keep the water from pooling at the bottom of your container, which can kill your plant.
FAQs on growing moss indoors
Can I propagate moss?
Yes, and moss is easy to propagate. It’s also asexual, so you can use the fragmentation process if you want to reproduce it.
How long should you wait for your moss to grow?
It depends on the type of your moss. For example, carpet moss can grow after 3 to 6 months. Meanwhile, the acrocarpous type of moss is slow. They take years to grow and mature.
Can I prune moss?
Yes, you can prune your moss. This is recommended, especially when they start to look ugly. You can just cut it with scissors or pull them away, especially if they’re climbing varieties.
What pests should I watch out for when growing moss indoors?
Your moss can attract different pests, such as aphids, spider mites, thrips, and sap-sucking pests. This is why it’s important to regularly monitor your plant.
You also need to know that your moss can attract pests when it’s introduced to other plants.
Are there any problems in growing moss?
Yes, there are a few problems you need to watch out for when growing moss indoors. It includes the following.
- When your moss starts to turn yellow, it needs light.
- When your moss starts to turn brown, it needs water.
- If there is fuzzy mold growth, it’s because of the humidity and temperature required. You can get rid of the mold by using beneficial bugs.
- Algae growth is also one of the problems you might encounter.
Can I grow moss without soil?
This is a pretty interesting question, and our answer is yes! You can grow moss without soil but make sure to use substrate. Although soil can help give the humidity it needs, it cannot give any nutrients to your moss.
Likewise, take note that your moss has rhizoids and any base that these rhizoids can attach is suitable.
Grow your moss today!
Now that you’ve learned how to grow moss indoors, it’s time to head on to your nursery shop and start right away! Remember that when growing moss indoors, you need to take care of temperature and humidity.
Ensuring they meet their growing conditions will give you a healthy and thriving moss indoors! So save this post and share if you know someone who is interested in how to grow moss indoors like you!