Learn how to create an indoor moss garden with a few simple materials and bring the beauty of nature outside, into your home.
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.
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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
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.
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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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.
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.
I really love the variety of texture and color of the lichen and moss.
This batch contains British soldier lichen, pityrea cladonia, pixie cup lichen, Beaumont lichen, feather moss, and sheet moss.
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.
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Indoor Moss Garden
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.
Amanda
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.
Patti Estep
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.
Philip
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.
Patti Estep
Glad you like it Philip. Enjoy
Maria
Love this moss garden! Moss is amazing
Patti Estep
I agree! Thanks Maria!
Michelle Leslie
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.
Patti Estep
Thanks Michelle. I think it's a good idea to add a little charcoal. Especially indoors in small containers.
Carole West
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...
Patti Estep
Thanks Carole. It would be a great workshop project!
ROBIN LAMONTE
Patti,
I had no idea about adding charcoal to a container garden!
Great tips!
Hugs,
Robin
Patti Estep
Thanks Robin, The charcoal isn't crucial but I do think it's helpful when gardening indoors.
Deana Landers
Patti, this is really pretty. I'm going to have to try this.
Patti Estep
Thanks Deana. I hope you do and love it.