Live Moss for Landscaping
A Live Moss Collection For Landscaping
We sell 12 live moss varieties that are used by landscapers and homeowners all over the USA. Sustainably harvested & low-maintenance.
Plan your landscaping order
Name each area, pick its species, and the calculator finds the cheapest size combination for every one — all twelve in-stock landscaping species, real shop prices, one cart.
Sizes in feet; for irregular areas use average length × width.
Not sure which species fits which spot? Where Will Moss Grow matches conditions to species, and the free consultation confirms quantities on tricky sites.
Live Moss for Landscaping
By the square foot, 1 to 1,000 — from $11.95 (fern) to $29.95 (Bryum) at a single square foot, dropping to $2.90 per square foot at 1,000 for sheet and carpet — 79% cheaper at the top tier. Evergreen, no mowing, no fertilizer, no irrigation once established.
Garden beds
Sheet and carpet moss — the broad-cover workhorses for shaded beds.
Slopes & banks
Haircap holds shaded slopes; full sun moss binds open, dry ones.
Borders & paths
Fern along woodland edges, spoon leaved in shade beds.
Under trees
Tree apron moss takes root-filled ground and climbs the bark itself.
Lawn replacement
Turf carpet and the moss lawn guide for whole-yard swaps.
Shop All 12 Species
What Arrives, and How It Wakes Up
Cut the week you order. It ships dry and dormant so it survives transit — dormant is not dead, it is how moss travels. The question every first-time buyer asks is “is it alive?” Here is what to expect:
In the box
Dry, dull, maybe curled
Completely normal. Moss survives drought by going dormant and holds that way through shipping. Only tan and brittle is a concern.
Minutes after misting
Green, soft, awake
One misting and it greens up within minutes. Then the standing rule: mist, do not soak, and let it dry between mistings.
What People Use Live Moss For
Decoration & displays
Table runners, centerpieces and staging — event-grade moss ships timed to your date.
Walkable ground
Carpet and turf carpet knit into a surface that takes foot traffic.
Indoor bowls & planters
Small terrarium-grade cuts top-dress pots and planters and fill moss bowls.
Terrarium bases
Hand-cleaned terrarium moss, sized to the vessel by the calculator.
All of it is live and pesticide-free — nothing is treated, which is why it is safe in sealed builds and around animals. Shop by species →
Volume pricing is built into every species ladder: at 1,000 sq ft, sheet and carpet moss reach $2.90/sq ft (sale tiers struck through), fern $3.45, turf carpet $4.30, mood $6.45, tree apron $7.30, cushion $7.90, Bryum $9.95, full sun $9.85, haircap $10.25.
Live Moss For Full Sun & Partial Shade
Most mosses can not handle full sun, except the two moss species below: Bryum moss and Star moss. Bryum moss grows in a creeping pattern, it tolerates foot traffic, and can be used as a groundcover, while star moss is a decorative moss.
Bryum (Sun) Moss
Bryum caespiticium
This moss is also called Sun moss and is a popular live moss because it thrives in sunny conditions. It grows as a soft, green carpet over (poor) soil or stones and makes it ideal as an alternative to grass.
Bryum moss is often used to fill up gaps between pavers, walkways, and other exposed areas.
Star Moss
Aulacomnium palustre
Star moss is also a sun-tolerant species, growing in rosettes of tiny green stars. Unlike most sun mosses it wants moisture with its light — rain gardens, downspout zones and pond edges are its natural jobs.
Where bryum handles sunny dry ground, star moss takes the sunny wet spots other mosses refuse — the two cover opposite ends of full-sun planting.
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“I ordered a similar quantity from a rival company, and there was no comparison (although similar price) but Moss and Stone gardens provided far superior product in every way. Beautiful, big, healthy pieces that were well-packed. Very happy with the order.”
Bruce M.
Live Moss For (Partial )Shade
The two most popular live mosses for landscaping, which are often used as an alternative to grass, are Sheet moss and Carpet moss. Both of these mosses are of the genus Hypnum and very similar in appearance.
Sheet moss grows a bit more evenly, and Carpet moss has a more dense, textured look. Both are great groundcovers for shady gardens and handle foot traffic well.
Carpet Moss
Hypnum cupressiforme
Carpet moss (Hypnum cupressiforme) is a popular groundcover for homeowners with shady gardens who are looking for an alternative to grass. It grows in thick, creeping mats and covers soil, rocks, and wood.
It grows in a similar carpet-like manner as sheet moss, but its tufted surface creates a more textured aesthetic.
Sheet Moss
Hypnum imponens
Sheet moss (Hypnum imponens) spreads out in a smooth, velvety layer and has a clean, sheet-like appearance. It prefers shade, with similar conditions to carpet moss, and is a popular live moss for landscaping.
It is appreciated for its even growth pattern with moss that is tightly interknitted and handles foot traffic well.
GET IN TOUCH
Schedule a Free Moss Consult
Decorative Live Mosses
The four live mosses below should not be used as a primary ground cover but for their aesthetic appearance. Fern moss, Cushion moss, Mood moss, Haircap moss, and Tree Apron Moss are used in artistic landscaping to create depth and beauty in shaded gardens.
Cushion Moss
Leucobryum glaucum
Cushion moss (Leucobryum glaucum), is also known as Pincushion moss and grows in soft, rounded pillows scattered across the forest floor. This moss prefers partially shaded to full shaded areas with high humidity levels and an acidic soil.
Cushion moss is a great choice for adding sculptural texture to garden beds and moss gardens.
Mood/Rock Cap Moss
Dicranum scoparium
Mood moss (Dicranum scoparium), also called Rock Cap moss, grows in clumps and clings to logs, rocks, or soil in shaded areas with high humidity levels. It grows upright and has a lively and animated appearance.
This moss thrives in well-drained acidic soil and is often used to enhance stone features, walls, and gardens.
Fern Moss
Thuidium delicatulum
Fern moss (Thuidium delicatulum) has the appearance of delicate, miniature fern-like fronds and spreads across the forest floor in soft, feathery mats.
This moss prefers moist and shaded environments and lives in acidic soil. It grows well in the shade and is appreciated by landscapers for its layered texture.
Haircap Moss
Polytrichum commune
Haircap moss (Polytrichum commune) is a tall, upright moss with beautiful star-shaped leaves that grows in large clusters and is also used as a decorative moss.
It thrives in acidic, well-drained soils and partial and full shade. This is a moss that adds a distinct dimension to moss gardens with its star-like appearance.
Tree Apron Moss
Anomodon attenuates
Tree Apron moss (Anomodon attenuatus) grows around the base of trees with spreading mats and can also be found on rocks and logs.
This moss prefers shaded environments with high humidity and grows well on vertical surfaces. It is therefore appreciated by landscapers for its ability to soften hard edges.
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“My friend recommended this company and I got moss for the garden of my Grandma and its so beautiful!”
Christine D.
Comparison Chart
Below, you can compare the different live moss species, including their common name, botanical name, light preference, growth habit, texture, common landscaping usage, and zones (in the USA).
Plan your whole order in the calculator ↑
| Common Name | Botanical Name | Light Preference | Growth Habit | Texture | Common Usage | Planting Zone | Where To Buy |
| Carpet Moss | Hypnum cupressiforme | Shade to Partial Shade | Low, spreading mats | Tufted, soft | Groundcover for moss lawns, woodland paths | 3-9 | Buy Live Carpet Moss here |
| Sheet Moss | Hypnum imponens | Shade to Partial Shade | Smooth, even layers | Velvety, smooth | Groundcover for moss lawns, woodland paths | 3-9 | Buy Live Sheet Moss Here |
| Cushion Moss | Leucobryum glaucum | Shade to Partial Shade | Rounded mounds | Thick, cushiony | Decorative for borders and under trees | 3-9 | Buy Live Cushion Moss Here |
| Mood/Rock Cap Moss | Dicranum scoparium | Shade | Tufted, upright clumps | Bold, sculptural | Decorative for rock gardens and boulders | 3-8 | Buy Live Mood /Rock Cap Moss Here |
| Fern Moss | Thuidium delicatulum | Shade | Feathery, fern-like | Delicate, layered | Decorative for forest beds | 4-9 | Buy Live Fern Moss Here |
| Haircap Moss | Polytrichum commune | Shade to Partial Shade | Tall, star-shaped tuffs | Sturdy, upright | Decorative for naturalistic borders | 3-8 | Buy Live Haircap Moss Here |
| Bryum/Sun Moss | Bryum caespiticium | Full Sun to Partial Shade | Creeping patches | Dense, compact | Groundcover for sunny moss lawns and between pavers | 4-9 | Buy Live Bryum/Sun Moss Here |
| Star Moss | Aulacomnium palustre | Full Sun, Wet Ground | Star-like rosettes | Resilient, coarse | Rain gardens, pond edges, sunny wet spots | 3-9 | Buy Live Star Moss Here |
| Tree Apron Moss | Anomodon attenuatus | Shade | Creeping, apron-like mats | Velvety, draping | Decorative around tree bases and shaded rocks | 4–9 | Buy Live Tree Apron Moss Here |
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“The moss arrived yesterday and is in perfect condition. Well-packaged and no dead moss.”
Ricardee L.
Frequently Asked Questions About Live Moss For Landscaping
Below you can find answers to the most asked questions about live moss. If your question is not answered, feel free to reach out to us, and we’ll aim to reply within 48 hours.
At the moment, we sell 9 carefully selected live mosses for landscaping.
We have the following live mosses for sale: Sheet moss, Carpet moss, Bryum (Sun) moss, Star moss, Cushion moss, Fern moss, Mood (Rock Cap) moss, Tree Apron Moss, and Haircap moss.
Moss is low maintenance once it is established. As long as the conditions are right and there is sufficient moisture, it will thrive. After planting, you should mist daily with clean (filtered or rain) water until the moss attaches, which usually takes 6 to 12 weeks. After that, natural rainfall is often sufficient.
Read more about how to care for moss in this guide.
You can either grow moss from spores, through a process called fragmentation, or you can transplant moss.
Read more about how to grow moss in this guide or how to transplant moss in this guide.
You can buy live moss directly through our online shop. To ensure freshness, we do not stock up, but we harvest the moss after you place the order.
Yes. All of our live mosses are non-toxic and safe for pets. Unlike grass, moss does not need fertilizers, herbicides, or pesticides. This makes it a safe choice for pets and kids.
Read more about the health and safety of moss in this guide.
That depends on your preference. Some mosses are great as groundcovers, some prefer (partial) sun while others need full shade. Some mosses handle foot traffic well while others don’t.
Read this guide if you want to read more about how to use moss in garden designs.
We typically harvest and ship orders 5–7 business days. But as a small, family-run operation, we may experience some delays during peak season (May-August).
You can read our full shipping policy here.
Yes. We offer bulk quantities for larger landscaping projects.
You can find our bulk pricing here, or contact us for a quote.
We offer a 14-day return policy. Moss must be returned in its original condition and packaging.