Benefits of Indoor Moss Gardens

​What is an indoor moss garden?

In this blog, I explore what a moss garden is, how to care for a moss garden and the benefits of having one in your home or business.

Large moss garden designed by Susan Larder of Foraged Florals, New Ross, NS.

Moss gardens are a living garden you can have indoors to nurture and see nature up close.  As a sustainable florist, I look to nature for my inspiration and design. Often a root or a moss covered rock is where it starts, then I look for a vessel to complement the natural element. I include bulbs and vines that adore similar growing conditions to the moss. This connects people to the world of indoor living flowers. 

Moss is a non-flowering plant in the plant kingdom of Bryophyte. Moss has no root structure and is often found in moist areas. Both are key to planting and growing your own moss garden.

​Where To Find Moss

While you are outside enjoying nature, find a space with lots of moss. Before collecting moss, check with the land owner for permission to forage.  You are looking for interesting colors of moss and lichens that come from similar growing conditions. 

Moss grows on rocks, wood, and on the ground. This rock is in our garden at Foraged Florals.

Look for moss growing on rocks or moss growing in deep shade on the forest floor. By selecting moss from similar conditions in nature, you will have greater success meeting the garden’s needs once inside.

I am always grateful to the plant I forage and thank it for its beauty and wisdom, leaving my gratitude as an offering.

​Growing Conditions

Let’s consider the growing conditions that moss adore so we can recreate this wonder of nature inside.

​Moisture

We have already mentioned moisture. A misting of water every day is all the moss requires to thrive indoors. 
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At Foraged Florals, we include a glass spray bottle with our moss gardens so you can maintain this critical condition in style. 

​Shade

Shade is the second necessary condition. This living arrangement will not feel at home in a south facing window, for that matter, no arrangement does.

​I almost always have a moss garden in my bathroom. It is on the north side of the house and I am a fan of the long leisurely tubby. My moss garden loves it, and in return offers me endless hours of contemplation.

Lush detail found in moss gardens designed by Susan Larder of Foraged Florals.

​Soil

Moss thrives in soil that is compacted and more acidic (pH 5.5 to 4). Lucky for us in Nova Scotia our soil meets these conditions. 

​Let's Get Planting

​We have our focal piece and our vessel. I start with a 1:10 ratio of charcoal to sand in the bottom of the vessel to offer filtration, should over watering occur. The amount depends on the size of vessel you chose.

Mix in a 1:10 ratio of charcoal to sand to absorb excess water in the bottom of the moss garden vessel.

A thin layer of sand and charcoal on the bottom is all that is required to absorb excess water.

I place the root or rock next and situate it to be pleasing to the eye.

I wrap soil around the bulbs or plants I want in the moss garden and place them next, giving consideration to their height and climbing habits, for example, myrtle will keep growing along with the moss.

I then press the soil down unevenly to meet the condition of compacted soil. Then I cover with moss and press firmly down.

​Benefits of a Living Moss Garden

To create your moss garden, you collected the moss in nature. When you are finished  enjoying it inside, you  can return to nature . 

You can plant the bulbs and vines outside or gift to a gardening friend, this offers great value. ​

Moss gardens in sea shells are long lived, environmental friendly and they celebrate seafood. An Ideal compliment for the seafood restaurant industry or a summer seafood feast. Designed by Susan Larder of Foraged Florals New Ross.

Being surrounded by nature inside feels wonderful. It's a pleasure to anticipate the blooms of the bulbs. This makes a moss garden an ideal garden for your office or home. 
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Moss gardens need daily attention with gentle misting. That's it! This daily care provides an opportunity to contemplate and to nurture.

​Cultural Meanings

Moss has many different cultural meanings.
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I love incorporating moss in weddings because of the Indigenous cultural significance of moss. "Moss can represent new beginnings, change and adaptability. ... moss is also a symbol of fertility, growth and abundance." 1

In Canada, Indigenous women are returning to traditional mothering ways, thanks in large part to the Moss Bag Project in Saskatchewan. “The Moss Bag is a beautiful inheritance, shared from First Nations’ women to Métis women that provides babies with security, love and safety.” ~ Leah Dorion 2

Close up of moss garden designed by Susan Larder of Foraged Florals, New Ross, NS.

Moss is also deeply symbolic for funerals as it "is believed to help us connect to the spirit world." 1
I love moss gardens as they are symbolic of growth and abundance, making them ideal for both funerals and weddings. 
Moss gardens offer a nature experience, add visual interest in your home or office, provide a contemplative  focal point… and make a great gift!

Sources:
1. https://spiritanimalsandsymbolism.com/moss-spiritual-meaning-symbolism-and-totem/
2.https://www.saskculture.ca/impact/success-stories/wrapped-in-love-the-moss-bag-project