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    Home » DIY Projects

    Create an Indoor Moss Garden - Natural Beauty in Your Home

    by Patti Estep · Mar 9, 2020

    Jump to How-to Card
    Indoor moss garden DIY

    Learn how to create an indoor moss garden with a few simple materials and bring the beauty of nature outside, into your home.

    Indoor moss terrarium dish

    I love the look of moss. Especially in the spring when everything is so green and beautiful after the dull dried out look of winter. If you have been following me you're probably not surprised as I have made already a mini moss garden centerpiece, moss balls and a moss initial wreath for my home and a few more.

    However, when I came across this beautiful colorful assortment of living lichen and moss I had to make another moss garden for the house.

    This post contains some affiliate links (that means if you make a purchase after clicking a link, there's no additional cost to you, but I will earn a very small commission. ) i.e. as an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Click here to read my full disclosure policy.

    Moss garden materials

    Indoor Moss Garden Supplies

    • Glass dish garden or bowl
    • Small pebbles, gravel or stones
    • Activated charcoal
    • Potting soil with no added fertilizer 
    • Living lichen/moss
    Glass dish garden with pebbles

    How to Make an Indoor Moss Garden

    Start by adding a layer of small pebbles or gravel to the bottom of a clean glass dish garden or bowl.

    Glass dish garden with pebbles and charcoal.

    Next, add a handful of charcoal pellets to the stones.

    Why Charcoal?

    You could make this without the activated charcoal. However, adding some into the mix will help with filtering toxins and odors that can build up in a terrarium type of container.

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    Placing moss into dish garden

    Then add a thin layer of moistened potting soil.

    Note: The grower of the moss/lichen states that their products grow best on soil without fertilizers. This is becoming more and more of an issue. It seems like all the potting soil on the market now comes with added plant food or fertilizer. 

    Next start arranging the moss in a pattern that is pleasing to you.

    My daughter gave me this handy mini gardening kit for Christmas and I've been enjoying using all the tiny tools for projects like this and working with my houseplants.

    Lastly, tamp down gently on the moss and mist it with distilled water or rainwater.

    Side view of indoor moss garden
    a closeup of feather moss with British soldier lichen

    Indoor Moss Garden Care

    • The grower suggests watering every few days (3-5) with rainwater or distilled water.
    • Since several of the products I received are lichen I'm going to leave this container open. You could cover it with a glass plate but the lichen is likely to incur a mold issue if the container is kept too wet.
    • Indirect sunlight is best for this garden. Avoid direct sunlight. 
    Indoor moss garden on blue table

    I really love the variety of texture and color of the lichen and moss.

    Tight view of indoor moss terrarium

    This batch contains British soldier lichen, pityrea cladonia, pixie cup lichen, Beaumont lichen, feather moss, and sheet moss. 

    Moss terrarium on console table

    The lichen is a slow grower, but I can't wait to see how it develops over time. For now, it's a really pretty addition to my sofa table. 

    Patti signature

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    Top and side view of indoor moss garden
    Indoor moss terrarium dish
    Print
    5 from 1 vote

    Indoor Moss Garden

    Learn how to create an indoor moss garden with a few simple materials and bring the beauty of nature outside into your home.
    Prep Time5 minutes mins
    Active Time15 minutes mins
    Total Time20 minutes mins
    Course: Indoor Gardening
    Yield: 1
    Author: Patti Estep
    Cost: $40

    Equipment

    • Tweezers
    • Fine mist spray bottle

    Materials

    • Glass dish garden or bowl
    • Small pebbles gravel or stones
    • Activated charcoal
    • Potting soil with no added fertilizer
    • Living moss and lichen

    Instructions

    • Start by adding a layer of small pebbles or gravel to the bottom of a clean glass dish garden or bowl.
    • Next, add a handful of charcoal pellets to the stones.
    • Then add a thin layer of moistened potting soil.
    • Next start arranging the moss and lichen in a pattern that is pleasing to you.
    • Mist with rainwater or distilled water every 3-5 days.
    • Keep out of direct sunlight.

    Notes

    The grower of the moss states that their product grows best on soil without fertilizers.
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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. Amanda

      March 13, 2020 at 9:55 am

      I love this idea. I’m not at all good with keeping plants alive but this looks doable. I also just read how good moss and lichens are for cleaning the air. Thanks for the idea.

      Reply
      • Patti Estep

        March 13, 2020 at 10:22 am

        I'm so glad you like it Amanda. I'm really enjoying watching all the different types of moss and lichen in this new indoor garden.

        Reply
    2. Philip

      March 11, 2020 at 7:23 pm

      Hi Patti, that looks so lovely. And it doesn't need a lot of taking care of. I don't have any experience with moss but it definitely looks like very interesting to get into. I'll probably start with a mini indoor garden as well just to understand how it grows. Thanks.

      Reply
      • Patti Estep

        March 12, 2020 at 7:12 am

        Glad you like it Philip. Enjoy

        Reply
    3. Maria

      March 09, 2020 at 12:13 pm

      Love this moss garden! Moss is amazing

      Reply
      • Patti Estep

        March 09, 2020 at 2:21 pm

        I agree! Thanks Maria!

        Reply
    4. Michelle Leslie

      March 09, 2020 at 10:48 am

      Gorgeous Patti. I was reading up about mosses today and they all mentioned how much moss loves water and charcoal is so perfect for retaining water too.

      Reply
      • Patti Estep

        March 09, 2020 at 2:21 pm

        Thanks Michelle. I think it's a good idea to add a little charcoal. Especially indoors in small containers.

        Reply
    5. Carole West

      March 09, 2020 at 10:45 am

      This is so neat and with all our rain we have a lot of moss out here. I keep wondering what I can make with it and love this idea. Pinned this to my workshop board because perhaps I may invite some peeps out here to make them. LOVE...

      Reply
      • Patti Estep

        March 09, 2020 at 2:19 pm

        Thanks Carole. It would be a great workshop project!

        Reply
    6. ROBIN LAMONTE

      March 09, 2020 at 9:01 am

      Patti,
      I had no idea about adding charcoal to a container garden!
      Great tips!

      Hugs,
      Robin

      Reply
      • Patti Estep

        March 09, 2020 at 9:41 am

        Thanks Robin, The charcoal isn't crucial but I do think it's helpful when gardening indoors.

        Reply
    7. Deana Landers

      March 09, 2020 at 8:49 am

      Patti, this is really pretty. I'm going to have to try this.

      Reply
      • Patti Estep

        March 09, 2020 at 9:41 am

        Thanks Deana. I hope you do and love it.

        Reply
    5 from 1 vote (1 rating without comment)

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