Moss isn’t just for forest floors or shady garden corners—it’s actually a fantastic way to add a lush, decorative touch to your home decor. Because of the way it grows, moss is incredibly versatile and can be “tied” onto all sorts of surfaces. Once it’s attached, it transforms into a unique living art piece.
Tying Moss for Decoration
Tying moss onto branches, stones, or similar bases looks amazing in aquariums or terrariums. But don’t stop there! It also makes a stunning focal point in glass vases or decorative bowls indoors.
Materials for Mounting Moss
You can mount moss on a variety of surfaces, but the two most popular choices are:
- Stones
- Wood or driftwood
Mounting Moss on Stone
Moss is one of the few plants that can actually thrive on a rock. Since it doesn’t have traditional roots—just tiny cell filaments—it’s easy to attach. My favorite pro-tip? Use a simple hairnet from the drugstore! Here’s how you do it:
- Give your chosen stone a good soak or spray it down with water.
- Place your moss exactly where you want it on the stone.
- Stretch the hairnet over the moss to hold it in place and tie the ends underneath with a bit of string.
Mounting Moss on Wood
You can also attach moss to branches or pieces of driftwood. Since a hairnet usually won’t fit right on a long branch, fishing line or standard sewing thread works much better. Here’s the step-by-step:
- Moisten the branch or wood thoroughly.
- Position the moss on the desired spot.
- Wrap the fishing line or thread around the moss and the wood several times to secure it.
- Give the moss one last misting with water.
Don’t worry about the string looking messy—the moss will grow right over it in no time, making it completely invisible. Be sure to wrap it snugly so the moss stays put!
Mounting Orchids on Moss
Did you know you can also mount orchids on a moss base? Sphagnum moss is the gold standard for this. It acts like a natural sponge, holding onto moisture and keeping those aerial roots perfectly hydrated. It’s also a game-changer for orchid “babies” (known as keikis); mounting them on moss can act as a natural growth booster and encourage healthy root development.