How to Keep Moss Moist

Mosses are primitive, simple plants that can thrive in indoor or outdoor gardens. All they need is acidic soil, cool temperatures and moisture. Many mosses grow best in partial or total shade, but some can tolerate sun and even heat, provided you keep them damp enough. Mosses don't have roots the way other plants do, so you don't need to water their soil deeply. Instead, keep the moss itself very damp for the first three weeks; then simply maintain its moisture level to grow a lush, green carpet for your rustic garden, terrarium or bonsai pot.

Water-retention gel
Misting hose system
Mister bottle
Humidifier

Instructions

- 1
  Prepare dry soil surfaces with a water-retention gel before transplanting moss onto them. Water-retention gels are available at most garden supply stores. Follow the instructions on the gel packet.
- 2
  Attach a misting system to your garden hose to water outdoor moss every day for the first three weeks after you transplant it. This keeps the moss thoroughly damp while it implants itself. The misting system lines your hose with small spray heads that release a fine mist across the ground level of your garden.
- 3
  Reduce the misting frequency after three weeks. At this point, the moss should be well established and able to live on less moisture. Mist or water your moss when it begins to look or feel dry or brittle.
- 4
  Spray small areas of moss, such as bonsai pots or indoor terrariums, with a mister bottle. Mist the moss every day for the first three weeks. After it is established and growing thickly, mist it whenever it begins to feel dry or its green color begins to fade.
- 5
  Place a small humidifier beside indoor mosses if you often forget to mist them. After the first three weeks, keeping the room humid should be sufficient to moisten moss.

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