Live Moss Care
Why use live moss in landscaping?
STEPS TO SUCCESS
✅ 1. Choose the Right Site
Moss thrives in shady, cool, and humid environments.
Avoid spots with full, direct sunlight — aim for dappled light or full shade, especially under trees, near boulders, or beside buildings.
✅ The Perfect Site:
A shaded backyard corner under mature trees with good moisture and minimal foot traffic, cool, calm, and consistently damp.
❌ Probably Won’t Work:
A dry, sunny lawn with poor soil and no irrigation, too exposed, too hot, and too dry for moss to thrive.
💧 2. Ensure Irrigation & Moisture
Consistent moisture is key for live moss.
Make sure your site has:
A - Watering system or misting setup
prevent drying out
B - Natural shade or tree cover to prevent drying out
C - Good drainage — moss doesn’t like standing water
🧪 3. Test the Soil & pH
Moss prefers acidic soil, ideally in the pH 5.0–5.5 range.
Use a soil test kit to check:
A - pH levels / Acidity
B - Compaction — moss likes firm surfaces (not fluffy soil)
C - Organic matter — minimal is best
If needed, adjust with sulfur or acid-loving soil amendments.
🎨 4. Pick Your Moss Style
Choose the right type for your aesthetic and environment:
A - Forest Moss Pleurozium schreberi – Flat, feathery, forest groundcover
B - Mood Moss (Dicranum {multiple}) – Textured and mounded for visual interest
C - Natural Reindeer (Cladonia stellaris) – Coral-like, soft grey; best for dry areas or contrast
D - Natural Lichen (Cladonia arbuscula) - Thinner, more upright/branching form
E - Sphagnum (Chilean, non-living) – For lining baskets, planting, or holding moisture
F - Spanish Moss (non-living) – Decorative hanging accent, not for soil
📏 5. Measure the Area
Measure your space in square feet (length × width).
Always round up — it’s better to buy a little extra than fall short mid-project.
We recommend adding 10% extra to your total square footage to account for overlapping, layering, and trimming.
🌿 6. (Optional) Do a Test Plug
Before planting everything, try placing one 6" × 6" moss plug in the intended location.
Observe for a few days:
A - Does it stay moist?
B - Does it green up?
C - Does it get enough shade?
This small test helps confirm you’ve picked the right conditions.
📆 7. Create a Realistic Timeline
A proper moss landscape isn’t a one-day job.
Here’s a realistic timeline:
- Site prep & pH testing 1–2 days
- Moss selection & ordering 7–14 days (lead time)
- Installation 1–2 full days (depending on size)
- Establishment phase 2–4 weeks (daily misting
- Long-term care - Ongoing light misting, seasonal grooming
Create Your Dream Moss Oasis
We carefully source and offer five premium moss and lichen varieties, each chosen for their natural beauty, sustainability, and versatility.