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    Home » DIY Projects

    Kokedama: How to Create a Moss Ball String Garden

    March 3, 2019 by Patti Estep 25 Comments

    Jump to How-to Card

    Learn an easy way to make Kokedama and create your own indoor string garden. This tutorial requires just a few items and can be made in less than an hour.

    Kokedama string garden

    Here's another great garden craft that is new to me, but it's actually not new at all.

    Kokedama is a Japanese craft, similar to bonsai, where plant roots are covered with a small amount of soil and wrapped in moss. Many are hung near a window with twine or cotton string. Others are simply displayed on a pretty dish or tray.

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    The traditional method for Kokedama requires a special mix of soil with clay used for bonsai plants. However, I thought that simply covering the plants with moss using their existing soil would work, and it's a much easier process.

    Kokedama supplies plants moss string scissors

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    Supplies

    Small plants
    Sheet moss
    Waxed twine
    Natural jute or cotton string

    How to Make Kokedama

    Step 1: Purchase plants that will do well in the area where you will be keeping them.

    My plants will be in a window that gets indirect lighting, so I went with two ferns and a small orchid. If you have a space with bright light I think succulents would be a good option, as they need little water.

    lemon button fern out of pot

    Step 2: Prepare your plant.

    Water it well early in the day, or the night before. Then remove it from its pot, shake off the excess dirt, trim any wayward roots, and gently mold it into a ball shape.

    fern covered with moss

    Step 3. Use sheet moss to cover the roots.

    plant with moss wrapped in twine

    Step 4. Wrap with twine.

    Using waxed twine, wrap the moss up firmly around the root ball, crisscrossing, similar to rolling a ball of yarn, until the moss is held in place.

    Kokedama on dish

    Step 5. Display and Enjoy

    You can then display the plant on a dish or tray, or, make a hanging string garden. To hang the moss balls, use two pieces of jute that cross underneath, and tie them together at the top. I hung them from simple white nails at the top of the window.

     

    Kokedama String Garden

    Kokedama on stings in window

    This way I can easily remove them for watering, which I plan to do by soaking them in water for a few minutes, about once a week if needed. They should be very light by the time they need to be watered. I also have a little mister which I can use to keep them hydrated.

    It's so nice to have this pretty greenery to look at while I'm working, and they were so easy to make. Wouldn't they make a nice gift?

    Patti signature

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    lemon button fern out of pot
    Print
    5 from 1 vote

    Kokedama: How to Create a Moss Ball String Garden

    This DIY kokedama is a great garden craft that can be hung near a window, or displayed in a dish or tray.
    Prep Time15 mins
    Active Time30 mins
    Total Time45 mins
    Course: DIY Projects
    Yield: 1 Kokedama
    Author: Patti Estep
    Cost: $10-$15

    Equipment

    • KINGLAKE 328 Feet Natural Jute Twine Best Arts Crafts Gift Twine Christmas Twine Durable Packing String
    • DIY Hand Work Waxed Lacing Tape, 260m Spool Black
    • SuperMoss (21512) Preserved Sheet Moss, Fresh Green, 8oz (200 cubic inch)
    • Terrarium & Fairy Garden Plants - 3 Plants in 2" pots

    Materials

    • Small Plants
    • Sheet Moss
    • Waxed Twine
    • Natural Jute

    Instructions

    • Purchase plants that will do well in the area that you are placing it.
    • Water it early in the day, or the night before.
    • Remove it from its pot and shake off the excess dirt.
    • Trim any wayward roots, and gently mold it into a ball shape.
    • Use sheet moss to cover the roots.
    • Wrap the moss up with twine firmly around the root ball, crisscrossing, until the moss is held in place.
    • Display the plant on a dish or tray, or, make a hanging string garden.

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    About Patti Estep

    Patti is the creator of Hearth and Vine, a home and garden blog filled with projects to inspire your creative side. She loves crafting, gardening, decorating and entertaining at her home in Pennsylvania. When she is not working on a project at home or searching for treasures at nurseries and thrift stores with her girlfriends, you’ll probably find her with family and friends, at a restaurant, or home party enjoying new and different food adventures.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Caroline

      May 19, 2019 at 1:41 pm

      WOW!! I’m so glad I came across your page Patti! I’m an avid Etsy contributor. I’ve both sold personal handmade goods on Etsy and that’s where I prefer to buy anything and everything I can, (small businesses are the best!). However, ever since the Kokedama “trend” hit that site 6+ months ago my heart has ACHED! I’ve shamelessly longed for one so badly, but every single Kokedama listing I’ve seen thus far has been insanely priced. I love my plant babies, but I also truly enjoy the feeling of accomplishing something myself.

      Sincerely, thank you for providing me with the information to be able to do this! I’m extremely excited!! I have some chronic pain issues, but once this flare clears up I’m going to get this started and I’ll be sure to let you know how it worked out.

      Thanks again. 🙂💕

      Reply
      • Patti Estep

        May 20, 2019 at 7:01 am

        Caroline, I'm so glad you like my easy Kokedama. The ferns are a little tricky because just like a pot they require a lot of watering. My orchid however is still doing well so perhaps stick with plants with lower water requirements.

        Reply
    2. Cathi

      March 06, 2019 at 2:42 pm

      Well I pretty much need these in every window! 🙂

      Reply
      • Patti Estep

        March 06, 2019 at 2:54 pm

        Thanks Cathi, I hope you get a chance to make some soon.

        Reply
    3. Amber Purvis

      January 22, 2017 at 12:44 pm

      How long have your plants lived? I notice this post is from early 2016. I just came across kokedama at my local Home Depot. Orchids, bromeliads and staghorn ferns range from $9-$13 each. I purchased all they had. I am looking into making my own and I was curious if you knew how long these will live? Will I have to re do them?

      Reply
      • Patti Estep

        January 23, 2017 at 9:28 am

        Hi Amber,

        My orchid is doing great and it just about to bloom again. the twine is a little ratty and I probably need to use some new pieces by now. However, the ferns did not do as well. They really needed to be watered every couple of days and last summer I went away for two weeks and my house sitter (my daughter) neglected to water them and I lost them. So your orchids should do well and I think starghorns two as they are epiphytes. Not sure about the bromeliads.
        Thanks for stopping by,
        Patti

        Reply
    4. [email protected]

      August 21, 2016 at 9:50 am

      I love these. Tell me about waxed twine. Is it a floral supply or would I find it in another section of the store?

      Reply
      • Patti Estep

        August 21, 2016 at 10:22 am

        Hi Karen,

        I have not seen this product in the store. I bought a set of them years ago online. There's a link to one on amazon.
        Have fun making your Kokedama!
        Patti

        Reply
    5. Geeta

      February 26, 2016 at 3:48 pm

      Hi Patti ,
      It look so pretty I will definitely try . I follow your page all the time . Can we buy moss from home depot . I am not good with gardening but I love plants. So I always buy them and my husband take care . Now I want to try this and see the results.
      thanks for encouraging .

      Reply
      • Patti Estep

        February 26, 2016 at 4:20 pm

        Hi Geeta,
        So glad you like the kokedama. I have seen some moss at home depot but it wasn't preserved sheet moss. You could certainly try it though.
        Best,
        Patti

        Reply
    6. Arlene Blissell

      February 20, 2016 at 4:06 pm

      I never heard of Kokedama before, but used the idea for a program at the Somerset Garden Club on February 8. The women really seemed to enjoy it, in such a short time they could create a new way to grow and display a plant. I saw Kokedama in a catalog called Viva Terra, and three plant were $98! And nothing rare or unusual, so we may make some to sell at our annual plant sale in May. Thanks for the great idea, and I love to receive your new posts.

      Reply
      • Patti Estep

        February 20, 2016 at 5:34 pm

        Thank you Arlene! I'm so glad you shared this idea with others. I found mine tend to dry out pretty quickly but the orchid and the button fern are doing well. The ribbon fern needs more watering and may do better in a pot. I guess that's why the traditional ones use the fancy clay based soil. I wonder if the moisture control soil would be better, but I usually do not like to buy potting soil with the extra additives. I think they would be great for a plant sale. Succulents are pretty popular and don't require a lot of water. They may be a good choice.
        Thanks for stopping by. I miss you. We need to get together soon.

        Reply
    7. sharon

      February 03, 2016 at 5:30 pm

      Thank you so much for sharing this.I do plan on trying this in the near future.

      Reply
      • Patti

        February 04, 2016 at 6:47 am

        Hi Sharon,
        So glad you like them. Here's an update. The ribbon fern is drying out the fastest so I really have to keep an eye on it. The orchid and button fern are still doing great.

        Reply
    8. Judy Walters Weiss

      January 25, 2016 at 5:03 pm

      Kokedama has always intrigued me & I've been thinking about trying it. I love how yours turned out...beautiful garden art!

      Reply
      • Patti

        January 26, 2016 at 6:41 am

        Hi Judy,
        Thanks for your kind comment. So far they are doing great. I did not use the traditional method, so we'll see how they do in the long run.
        Patti

        Reply
    9. Penny

      January 18, 2016 at 9:02 pm

      Great idea and so pretty when it's snowing , must lift your spirits everyday!

      Reply
      • Patti

        January 19, 2016 at 6:46 am

        Hi Penny,

        Thanks Penny. They really have. Also, nice comments from great people like you lift them even higher!
        Thanks for stopping by,
        Patti

        Reply
    10. Suzanne Lee

      January 18, 2016 at 7:55 am

      I am going to buy these plants today. I have a garden window over the whirlpool tub in my bathroom. Perfect place for my African violets.
      I will add these in a dish and they will be perfect addition.
      Thanks,
      Suzanne

      Reply
      • Patti

        January 18, 2016 at 7:57 am

        Hi Suzanne,

        Thanks sounds really lovely.
        Thanks for stopping by,
        Patti

        Reply
    11. Lidia

      January 17, 2016 at 9:40 pm

      I love this project. I think it is a beautiful way to grow orchids. Thank you very much for sharing such good ideas.

      Reply
    12. Jody

      January 17, 2016 at 10:47 am

      For the first time in my adult life at the age of 61 I was able to buy a house. Big flat ugly back yard. I want trees and flowers and a garden, a pond, a fire pit, a veranda of some sort. I want it to be inviting and when I look out I want to have my heart overflow with wonder that it is mine. I started following you the day I moved in. These that you showed to day are so pretty and will be part of my indoors. Thank you for sharing your knowledge and in turn making me more so.

      Reply
      • Patti

        January 17, 2016 at 11:29 am

        Hi Jody,

        Thank you so much for you kind comment. You've made my day! I think you will love the string garden idea. They were very easy and sooo cheery in my window. Just choose the right plants depending on the light exposure, and you'll be fine. Also, I just wanted to say that you will get there with your yard, and I know it will be beautiful. Honestly, half the fun is in the journey. That being said, I am an extremely impatient person, and I can also relate to wanting to have it just they way you want it now.
        Thanks again for stopping by,
        Patti

        Reply
    13. Linda Nelson

      January 17, 2016 at 8:50 am

      They came out really, really pretty. I love the simplicity of the idea, and what fabulous little garden lover gifts they make.

      Reply
      • Patti

        January 17, 2016 at 9:44 am

        Hi Linda,
        I agree, may be the next go-to for my gardening friends.
        Thanks for stopping by,
        Patti

        Reply

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