Scotch Moss Problems

Shade and Sun

• Scotch moss does not do well in full sun, but it also cannot survive in deeply shaded regions where true mosses tend to thrive. Scotch moss grows best in light to moderate shade, somewhere it receives four to five hours of sunlight a day. If it is not in such a location, Scotch moss is relatively easy to transplant as it does have a shallow root system. Transplant in the afternoon when roots will be less shocked by exposure to heat and sunlight.

Moisture

• Scotch moss is similar to most other evergreen perennials with regard to its water necessities. The plant has very little tolerance for drought and will need extra irrigation if rain is not forthcoming in the summer. That said, Scotch moss is also very prone to root rot. While true moss thrives in a constantly moist environment, saturated soil can cause irreparable damage to the root system of Scotch moss, stunting its growth and potentially killing it.

Humidity and Temperature

• Scotch moss is an evergreen plant that is hardy up to USDA Plant Hardiness Zone five but can be grown in Zone three. It can survive in temperatures as low as minus-30 degrees F. Seeds will not grow in the spring if they do not experience a frost first. For this reason, it is impractical to grow Scotch moss in tropical or subtropical regions. Not only will the plants have trouble reproducing in this climate, but they also are very sensitive to humidity in the air. Scotch moss prefers a relatively dry environment and humidity that keeps the soil even slightly moist can once again lead to root rot.

Fertilization

• Unlike true moss, which grows on poorly compacted soils and rock, Scotch moss needs a rich and well-aerated soil to grow healthily. If all other environmental factors seem to be in order and your Scotch moss still does not seem healthy, it is likely that the plant is missing some of the nutrients essential to its survival and continued growth. A standard slow release fertilizer added in the early fall or early spring should encourage healthy growth. A few handfuls of organic matter from a compost pile can do the same.