How to Create a Moss Garden

A miniature moss garden is easy to create, easy to maintain and a beautiful adornment for a tabletop or container arrangement. Joe Lamp'l walks you through the simple steps.
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Joe Lamp’l, the “joe” behind joe gardener is the creator, host and executive producer of public television’s Growing a Greener World. Watch episodes of his Emmy Award-winning show on our sister channel, GGWTV ( / ggwtv .

[@siromiyo1163]

I cant believe i am actually here existing,alive and healthy and watching how to grow moss,like this is mindblowing..

[@joegardenerTV]

haha! Moss is amazing and so underappreciated!

[@annestudley8235]

I can't believe you said that moss doesn't want to be in damp soil - that's exactly where it grows in nature, at least where I live (Halifax NS)! Just take a walk in some of the boggy woods around here, and you'll see moss on EVERYTHING!

[@chrisfehr2164]

also, it grows best in thick clay soil not well-draining unless your going to water it every day. It keeps the moisture for the oss.

[@thesciencelair9556]

Actually, this depends on the species. “Moss” is a word that describes a huge and varied group of plants. Some grow in well draining, alkaline soil in areas with bright sun and barely moist soil. Some grow in extremely acidic, sunny bogs with no soil nutrients where they get submerged every time it rains. Some grow in cool, dark woodlands with very moist soil and plentiful nutrients from decaying leaves. There is no care guide for all mosses. He’s using mostly pillow moss (and hypnum moss) which likes the exact conditions that he’s providing, but the common mosses where you live are very different from pillow and hypnum moss.

[@thesciencelair9556]

Pillow moss is unique in that it’s actually very sensitive to stagnant, wet conditions, and will even rot. Well draining soil is definitely a good idea.

[@annestudley8235]

@@thesciencelair9556 Good to know. In the future, I think Joe should specify which kind of moss he's referring to.

[@togetvj]

I thought exactly the same. I've just taken down a hanging basket that I left all winter to sort it out ready for planting and there were several lovely cushions of moss which I want to plant in a pot. In heavy rain the roof trough waterfalls into that hanging basket and the compost was soaked. There is no moss at all in my dryer hanging baskets. 🤷‍♀️

[@priyokabi]

Moss grows on moist soil, damp and shady areas. That wasn't mentioned here

[@LearningActivities101]

We have so much moss in our area, in the winter we have a few feet of snow and the moss comes back in the spring

[@gigglesmcgee2052]

Also depends on the type. Some don't mind growing in-between cracks in the sun.

[@annajones581]

I live in california and I go and collect and forage for moss in the forest near I live I find it growing by streams and natural springs

[@markk_g]

I want this dude’s backyard, that’s like my dream

[@WeevilLover9000]

Perfect for goblins

[@laurabracklein5844]

I live in Minnesota and this would be gorgeous in my screen porch. I'm guessing any small plants wouldn't survive the winter but would the moss? It grows all over on our property. Or would I need to bring the whole thing indoors? If so, what kind of care would it need in the house?

[@jolabu74]

Very nice❤ Thanks for shering

[@joegardenerTV]

Thanks for watching

[@vmcshannon]

Very nice 👍. Do you know a source for moss? I have some that grows in shady parts of my yard. But it’s just one type. Thanks!

[@killjoyinsane1105]

Go to a natural forest and pick it yourself youu can look up types of moss online find the one you want for your garden. Good luck 🤗

[@w.a.i.l4523]

@@killjoyinsane1105 or even a local park or look around trees that grow around u😁

[@worldwidehandsome3417]

There’s always some growing next to running water

[@LearningActivities101]

This is wonderful I just love the container moss garden

[@snackymcgoo1539]

I live in Texas USDA region 8a. I have some area under trees which will not grow grass and I’m looking for ground cover. I’ve always loved mosses. Do you know of any moss breeds which would grow outside in nearly pure shade I am willing to water. Sick and tired of barren soil.

[@cleavonfivafaustinap5dandk308]

Wow! That was so nice, nicely done 👌❤

[@sylvainbergeron2472]

1:36

[@soniafarooq]

Awesome! Very creative!Thanks for sharing!

[@abbasitareq]

2:09 that’s what I do when I’m trying to imagine it as well I bet you have it already in your head!

[@sunchaserw1477]

Your moss is beautiful. I have the same kind as yours but why there are fern-liked leaves growing out of it?

[@lovedragonsrobertakistler3250]

How about telling us what kinds of moss you used.

[@elviaxuya3889]

I love it

[@artsbyag]

Looks amazing

[@debbiecozo7151]

A plant source would be beneficial

[@BeverlyMaloy]

Very nice!

[@WeAllgodschildren]

What type of soil are you using?

[@joegardenerTV]

That was a container mix consisting of peatmoss, perlite, and finely ground bark.

[@Freshfrommygarden-Smita]

That's so creative and beautiful 👍🏻

[@cindybrewer2040]

Where did you get the moss? Dig it up or purchase?

[@blakagekas7713]

I dont have coffee filters around the house

[@SlipMahoneyBowery]

Does it have to come inside during the winter or be covered or something?

[@bunybunz27]

Hi in... Dose it matter if the gravel has some sharp rocks?? And also how much dose the felt matter? Can you use just normal felt? So sorry if I asked to many questions just curious 😁😁😂😂

[@juliegogola4647]

I can see the MOSS wanting to be in the miniature moss gardens, BUT, I had been wanting to create a much LARGER version of the Moss garden as seen here. But, Really, I doubt that a complete moss garden could be sustained long term. But, making a small bowl version of a tiny moss garden most likely COULD be made and, could inspire some people to not waste or destroy natural resources that we've been given.

[@cosmicfxx]

But where best place to get the moss??

[@ryanaloe3433]

Can they be kept instead?

[@jojofashosho5344]

What if you use a keurig?

[@Izzy-sk7mm]

Would these be ok for indoors?

[@caty2956]

Where can i get the moss from?

[@LaOwlett]

coffee filters won't last very long. The micro organisms in the soil and water will digest (compost) the cellulose quickly. Don't use organic matter if you want it to last. If you can't find landscaping fabric, find some old polyester shirt and cut to size.

[@hawkingst.2912]

🤔 But You cannot use any plant with moss. We need plants that love humed environment. What plants do You recommend?

[@Admin52559]

Joe, where do you live? It seem like a nice estate

[@hallucinatinghawk3917]

I don’t have coffee filters

[@aileenamaya]

what a cutie

[@radtwelve]

Corona season after season lololol

[@radtwelve]

Actually i dont have coffee filters

[@hilostateofmind]

No need for a terrarium?

[@rorytrue2835]

Why not in the house?

[@Musicsage]

I guess because the humidity is not high enough

[@sywzakat2380]

why is everything so expensive :(

[@nabihahabibullah1577]

💐✋💐

[@tonyreptilesrfriends9329]

No no no, you done it all wrong 😂 gravel goes first than weed matting or carbon screen. Or as you say coffee filter (which you shouldnt use by the way their bio degradable) than you ad activated carbon or you can use charcoal as a substitute. Than you add substrate an mist until soil stops retaining water. Than you add the moss than give it another lite mist, it also should be noted that moss requires high humidity an should be done in enclose space such as a tank or a plastic container, unless you live in a country that isn't as dry as say Australia 😭

[@Vedis]

Exactly. By doing it this way, every time he waters the container, the fine silt from the soil will flow down in-between the voids in the rocks, clogging up the voids and completely defeating the purpose of having the voids to aid in drainage. You pick rocks that are bigger than the drainage holes in the bottom of the container so they don't come out. That's a pretty basic concept in gardening, typical fake TV expert. Also some people are saying moss likes to be moist all the time. This is not true for all moss, some don't like to have "wet feet" and will rot if they are wet all the time. It really depends on what type of moss you are using. You can tell what your particular moss would like based on where it was growing in nature. Something along a river bank or near the mist of a waterfall obviously wants to be wet all the time. Something growing directly on a rock not so much.

[@Skysbiggestfan5802]

😂😂

[@hanslim4031]

Just wanted to say that drainage layers are not useful, rather its a false myth.