How To Grow Moss | Benefits, Types, Methods & Care

Are you interested in growing your own moss? This article explains the benefits of growing moss, ten of the most popular mosses, different methods of growing, and how to care for the moss afterwards.

1. Benefits of Growing Moss

More and more people are growing moss for their aesthetic appeal and incorporating moss plants into their garden designs. But moss is not only beautiful, it also offers environmental and ecological benefits, and it’s incredibly resilient and adaptable.

1.1 Aesthetic Appeal

Moss can transform a garden into a magical and fairy-tale landscape with lush green carpets to enhance shaded areas. Pleurocarpous mosses have a carpet-like growth pattern and can be used to replace traditional grass gardens. Acrocarpous mosses grow more upright, don’t spread as quickly and are often used for decorative purposes.

Traditionally, Japanese-style gardens use moss in their designs and this inspired Western landscapers to do the same. Moss can add a touch of elegance to shady corners, to water features and create a sense of peace and calmness.

Moss plants are often appreciated because of their different shades of green and textures that can complement other plants but also because they cover areas with green where other plants can not grow where they can turn bare and shady areas into a green and lush environment.

1.2 Environmental and Ecological Benefits

Moss gardens have several ecological and environmental benefits and we have listed the most important benefits below

• Low Maintenance: Moss is very low maintenance, especially compared to grass. It does not require mowing or fertilizing. Once it is installed, not much maintenance is needed.
• Shade and Acidic Soil Adaptation: Mosses thrive in shaded areas where grass or other plants struggle to grow. Even acidic soils are not a problem. This makes it a good choice to cover soil in areas where other plants don’t grow.
• Erosion Control and Water Management: Another benefit is its ability to stabilize the soil. This prevents erosion and its ability to absorb water will also reduce the risk of flooding or any runoffs.
• Weed Suppression: Especially Hypnum mosses (for example, Sheet moss, Carpet moss, or moss for lawns) grow in dense carpets. This suppresses weeds and minimizes the need for weeding and herbicides.
• Biodiversity Support: Moss creates a habitat for small wildlife and various insects which will boost the biodiversity of your garden. It is also used as nesting material by birds.
• Air Quality Improvement: The ability of moss to capture pollutants, trap dust, and store carbon which improves the air quality of a local habitat.

1.3 Resilience and Adaptability

The resistance and adaptability of moss make it often a plant of choice for gardeners too. Mosses can survive in extreme conditions. They thrive in environments from hot deserts to cold and frost-prone regions. Many moss species are masters of their environmental niche which is a quality that can be exploited when greening a garden with hospitable conditions for most plants.

Mosses can go into a so-called ‘dormant’ state. This is a survival technique that protects their internal structure during periods of drought. During this period, they turn brown and slow down their internal processes. But they will bounce back to ‘life’ when the conditions change in their favor.

As pioneering species, moss plants can cover areas that are disturbed and/or soil-less. They don’t need soil to thrive and they take the nutrients from the rain or dew. This enables them to cover large areas of disturbed land and in the meantime, they stabilize the soil (if there is any), create soil by trapping biological waste (soil formation), prevent erosion, and pave the way for other plants.

2. Types of Moss and Their Preferred Conditions

Different types of mosses are popular in garden designs and are often used for different purposes. If you want to grow your moss, you may want to know more about the 10 most popular mosses and their preferred conditions.

2.1 Sheet Moss (Hypnum imponens)

Sheet moss is the common name for Hypnum imponens and creates dense, lush ‘sheet-like’ carpets that can handle foot traffic quite well and are mostly used as an alternative to grass. It thrives in shaded and moist environments. Roughly four hours of direct sun a day is the ceiling; above that, sheet moss becomes the wrong choice and you want Bryum or Full Sun Moss instead. Judge the spot at its brightest hour, not at the hour you happen to look. It is found in nature on forest floors, tree barks, and rocks across North America, Asia, Europe, and Africa.

2.2 Carpet Moss (Hypnum Cupressiforme)

Carpet moss is very similar to Sheet moss because they are both of the genus Hypnum. This moss species is scientifically known as Hypnum Cupressiforme and grows also in thick green carpets on forest floors, rocks, and tree barks. It creates a ‘carpet’ of moss which handles foot traffic well and prefers shaded and moist areas. Like sheet moss it holds up to about four hours of direct sun a day, and struggles above that. You can find this moss distributed all over North America, Europe, Asia, and even in parts of Africa.

2.3 Mood Moss or Rock Cap Moss (Dicranum scoparium)

Mood moss, sold and searched for just as often as rock cap moss (scientifically Dicranum scoparium), is appreciated for its velvety and dense appearance and is often used in plant beds. It prefers humid and shaded environments like most moss species and is found in nature on forest floors. It thrives on slightly acidic and moist but well-drained soils and is an excellent choice for garden designs that want to add a rich and green texture. This moss is also widely distributed and can be found in Europe, North America, and Asia.

2.4 Cushion Moss, Pincushion Moss or Pillow Moss (Leucobryum glaucum)

Pincushion moss is also sold as cushion moss and pillow moss, because it grows in (pin) cushion-like clumps that are soft and bright green. It is a well-adaptable moss species and grows in humid shaded forests to (slightly) drier areas. This moss species brings texture to a landscape because its bright green cushion-like tufts stand out in any garden design. It is distributed all over North America, and Europe and can be found in parts of Asia.

2.5 Fern Moss (Thuidium Delicatulum)

Fern moss is another popular moss and is scientifically known as Thuidium Delicatulum. It has a fern-like appearance (hence the name) and thrives in wet and shaded areas preferably close to streams and ponds but can also be found in wooded areas without a water source. This moss can be found in Azia, North America, and Europe and is a delicate plant. It adds a fern-like texture to a garden and should be used in areas with sufficient moisture availability such as shady, damp garden spots.

2.6 Sphagnum Moss (Sphagnum spp.)

Sphagnum moss (scientifically known as Sphagnum Platyphyllum) is a moss type that thrives in wet and boggy environments (peat bogs) and grows into dense mats that retain a lot of water. It prefers very wet environments but can also be used to bring water back into an area and stabilize a habitat by retaining the water and slowly releasing it during periods of dryness. It is mainly used for horticultural applications and is appreciated for its water-retaining properties.

2.7 Bryum Moss (Bryum Caespiticium)

Bryum moss (sometimes called ‘Sun moss) is scientifically described as Bryum Caespiticium and thrives in both shady and partially sunny areas. This is one of only two species we supply that hold in open sun all day, the other being Full Sun Moss, Racomitrium canescens. It prefers moist and well-drained substrates and can be found in nature but also grows in urban environments and is distributed across Europe, Asia and North-America.

2.8 Haircap Moss (Polytrichum Commune)

Haircap moss has robust and erects stems which gives it the appearance of a miniature forest and scientifically described as Polytrichum Commune. You can find this moss in shaded forests, bogs and heathlands but also in urban areas. It is widely distributed across parts of Africa, North America, Asia and Europe. It thrives on neutral to acidic soils and is appreciated for tis stiff and pointed leaves which brings a new dimensions to a garden.

2.9 Hedwigia Moss (Hedwigia Ciliata)

Hedwigia moss is also known as Hedwigia Ciliata and has white tipped leaves with a dark green base which gives it a frosted appearance. It thirves on tree trunks, rock surface but also on walls in urban areas. It is naturally found in subalpine and alpine regions across North America, Europe and Asia.

2.10 Tree Moss or Tree Apron Moss (Anomodon attenuatus)

Tree moss grows on trees as the name suggest and has the scientific name Anomodon Attenuatus. It drapes over tree trunks and branches with large mats and is widely distributed in North America, Asia en Euroep. It prefers stable shaded and moist environments. Their small and curved leaves with long and slender branches create an apron-like appearance.

3. Methods for Growing Moss

Now you understand the benefits of growing moss, and the 10 most popular moss types, we will cover the most popular methods for growing moss.

3.1 Grow Moss from Spores

Using moss spores is the most sustainable way of growing moss but it can also be challenging. You can harvest moss spores and spread them out over the designated area. Follow these steps if you want to use spores to grow moss.

1. Clear the area: First, you’ll need to clear the area of existing vegetation, debris, and weeds so the moss has a clean substrate to establish.
2. Collect spores: The life cycle of moss begins with the formation of a spore and is triggered by environmental conditions. Carefully collect moss spores and keep them in a moist and dark place.
3. Spread the spores: Spread the spores out over a moistened substrate. Mix it with water and use a spray bottle to spread it out.
4. Maintain moisture: The area must stay moist but never be waterlogged. Keep it moist with a fine spray and never let them dry out because the spores won’t germinate.
5. Provide shade: Keep an eye on the shade. A couple of early morning or late afternoon sun is fine but a shade net is recommended when there isn’t sufficient shade.
6. Weed control: Pull out weeds until the moss is fully established. It will cover the soil so weeds won’t have much of a change but until then, weeds need to be pulled out.

3.2 Encouraging Existing Moss

If you have already moss growing in your garden, you may want to encourage it so it can turn into a beautiful moss carpet if desired. This can be achieved with the following steps:

1. Remove Competition: First, you need to hand-pull competitions such as grass or weeds so the moss can spread out.
2. Optimize conditions: Provide enough shade and moisture, and do not worry about chasing a pH number, because moss tolerates a far wider pH range than most people expect.
3. Drainage: Moss loves moist conditions but it can also drown if the area doesn’t rain well. Improve the drainage of the area if necessary.
4. Regular Maintenance: Keep removing weeds or grass, keep it moist, and keep the foot traffic to a minimum until the moss has turned into a closed carpet.

3.3 Transplanting Moss

Transplanting moss can be another effective method, and it works best when you are moving moss that is already yours. If you have a patch thriving on a wall, a path edge or a shaded corner, lifting some of it to a new spot costs nothing and the species is already proven on your site.

Do not take moss from the wild. It is illegal on public land in most states and theft from private land without the owner’s written permission. Beyond the law, wild moss arrives with weed seed and insects, the species is rarely the one your site needs, and a stripped colony takes years to recover.

1. Preparing the Area: Preparing the area should always done first. Remove grass, weeds and as much of the root systems to prevent it from competing with the moss.
2. Lifting the Moss: Use a spade to carefully lift small patches with a thin layer of soil attached. Take from several spots on your own ground rather than clearing one patch, which leaves each area able to close back over and gives your new planting more genetic variety.
3. Planting Moss: Next you have to place the patches of moss onto the soil. Press it down lightly to remove the air pockets.
4. Anchoring Moss: You may want to pin the moss down if it is windy or it may be disturbed by foot traffic from humans or animals. You can use pins, transplant netting, and/or small rocks to keep it in place.

3.4 Using a Moss Slurry/Milkshake

A moss slurry (or moss milkshake) is a popular way of growing moss for surfaces like bricks, trees, rocks, or between pavers. This growing method can either be done with moss spores or (very small) fragments. Follow the next steps if you want to grow moss with a slurry.

1. Creating the Slurry: You can make your slurry with a blender. Use 2 cups of buttermilk or plain yogurt and a cup of chopped/fragmented moss. Blend the mixture until it has a milkshake consistency. You can use spores as well instead of moss fragments.
2. Choose a Substrate: Make sure to choose an area that has naturally enough moisture and shade for the moss to thrive.
3. Applying the Slurry: Use a paintbrush to coat the substrate with the moss slurry. The yogurt or buttermilk will help the moss fragments adhere to the surface and provide it with enough nutrients for the growing phase.
4. Maintaining Moisture: The moss will need a bit of extra moisture at first. Keep it moist by spraying it regularly but avoid soaking it because it can drown the moss and wash it away.
5. Watching for Growth: It may take a couple of weeks until begins to grow. At first, only mold will appear but the moss will take over eventually. Keep it moist until the moss is well established.

3.5 Using Moss Fragments

Another effective method for growing moss is dividing moss into moss fragments. Most moss plants can propagate sexually but also asexually. In nature, small fragments break off a mother plant and grow into new plants. This is how you can do this yourself:

1. Prepare the area: Clean the area from debris, and roots and make sure that the moisture levels and shade are similar to the moss’s natural environment.
2. Collect or buy moss: If you are allowed to get the moss from nature, you can collect it yourself. Otherwise, you can buy live mosses from us.
3. Divide the moss: Break the moss up into little fragments. You can do this with scissors but also by hand. You may want to use a blender if you want to break them up in small fragments.
4. Add water: Grab a bucket and fill it with filtered water or rainwater. Do not use regular tap water because the chemicals will kill the moss.
5. Spread it out: Spread the fragments out over the designated area.
6. Cover it: To prevent the moss fragments from blowing away, you can cover it with garden netting or burlap until it is well established.
7. Maintain: Keep the fragments moist with a sprinkler or misting device. Preferably water the moss early every morning. Pull the weeds out by hand and the moss will start to spread.

3.6 Buy Moss

If you don’t have the patience or time to grow moss yourself, you can buy live moss ready to lay. We supply twelve species by the square foot, cut to order and shipped across the United States. One species, Full Sun Moss, is cultivated; everything else is responsibly sourced from managed private sites with the landowner’s permission, or rescued ahead of scheduled land clearing. No pesticides and no herbicides on any of it. See live moss for landscaping, or how to grow moss from milkshakes and starters.

4. Maintenance and Care

After you have planted the moss, you’ll have to maintain it. Moss requires some maintenance during the establishment phase but it is relatively low-maintenance once it is well established. Here are some moss care tips that you need to know when you are growing moss.

4.1 Watering

Moss shuts down when it dries out and waits, sometimes for months, then restarts when water reaches it. Brown and flat is dormant, not dead. What it will not tolerate is being kept permanently wet, or being allowed to dry out repeatedly while it is still establishing.

After you have planted/transplanted the moss, you’ll have to water it regularly. The smaller/younger the moss, the more often you need to water it. Especially moss spores and fragments need to be misted at least once per day but sometimes even a couple of times each day to prevent them from drying out.

Only use clean water (either filtered or rainwater) and don’t overwater. Once you see standing water, you have a bit of a problem because moss can drown if the substrate doesn’t drain properly. Once the moss is well established, and there is enough shade available, it won’t need daily watering anymore except during dry spells in hot summer months.

Tip: Read more about how to water moss in this article.

4.2 Weeding and Leaf Removal

Make sure to remove leaves or other debris from the moss to prevent mold or other problems. Don’t use any chemicals and pull the weeds out by hand. Once a moss carpet is closed, weeds rarely have an opportunity to get through the moss. Make sure to hand-pull weeds when there are still gaps between clumps of moss after planting. Weeds outcompete moss plants for nutrients and space so ensure that they don’t have a change.

As mentioned before, debris should be removed because it can smother moss and block light which is essential for photosynthesis. Moss prefers the shade but still needs light in a similar way as other plants. Use a rake or your hands to gently remove the leaves or other kinds of debris.

4.3 Foot Traffic Management

Certain mosses can handle foot traffic well (e.g. Sheet moss, Carpet moss, or Bryum moss) but more delicate mosses such as Fern moss or Haircap moss won’t handle foot traffic at all. Make sure that you know which types of mosses you are working with before you walk on it.

It is always advisable to consider stepping stones or footpaths to protect the moss from foot traffic. Especially areas with heavy foot traffic need designated pathways to prevent the moss from being damaged so it can thrive without being disturbed.

4.4 Seasonal Care

We talked before about moss care and quickly covered seasonal care. A moss garden needs different care for each season. You can learn more about seasonal care in this article about caring for moss.

Here are some short tips on how you should care for moss per season:

• Spring: When the temperatures go up, make sure that the moss has enough moisture because new growth needs it. Also, remove the debris from the winter.
• Summer: This season has the highest risk of drought. Keep an eye on the moss, especially the sunny areas. When it turns yellow/brown, you its going dormant so you’ll have to water it. Use clean and filtered water and preferably a misting device with a timer so it gets watered in the early mornings.
• Fall: When the leaves fall, moss will be covered and light will be blocked. The rotting leaves can impact the health of the moss so make sure that you clear it off regularly.
• Winter: Moss can also go dormant when it gets very called. There is not much you can do during super cold winter months but don’t worry, it will bounce back when the conditions become more favorable.

4.5 Fertilization and Soil Care

Moss plants take their nutrients out of the water, through their leaves. Therefore they don’t need soil with a high nutrient density. Fertilization is not necessary and can even harm the moss because it encourages weeds to grow.

Mildly acidic ground helps, but mainly because it holds back the grass and weeds competing with the moss, and moss tolerates a far wider pH range than most people expect. You should check it again, especially if the moss looks unhealthy. You can use sulfur to lower the pH or limestone to increase it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Related reading: How To Propagate Moss · The Role of Moss Plants in Nature Explained

Pending review by Olivia Milner, practitioner-scientist with a background in sustainability and education.