Moss Bed Plants

About Mosses

• Mosses are low-growing plants that require specific conditions to grow, such as dense shade, acidic soil and plenty of moisture. Because they do not have root structure, they absorb moisture and nutrients directly through their surface cells. They reproduce by means of spores, which are expelled from special capsules. The spores mature in these capsules in moist conditions and are then released to grow more moss in the environment. Mosses can reproduce both sexually, with male and female plants, or asexually by sending out sprouts or growing from fragments of plant.

Growing Moss Beds

• Though many homeowners work hard to eliminate moss from lawns and plant beds, others embrace this unusual plant species and use it to cover shady areas where it naturally likes to grow. All that is required to grow moss is to dig up an adequate size of growth and transplant it into your plant bed. It prefers a soil pH range of 5.0 to 5.5. Gardeners can blend a small amount of moss with buttermilk, beer or sugar water. This puree is then poured onto the plant bed and allowed to grow, according to Georgia gardening expert Walter Reeves. Moss transplants easily and grows well in moist, shady areas of the yard. Moss spores can be purchased from plant outlets that specialize in unusual types of plants.

Maintaining Moss Beds

• Moss requires a steady amount of water to stay alive and to reproduce. If deprived of water, it begins to dry out and go dormant. It then loses its attractive, green appearance. A lawn sprinker with an automatic timer supplies a regular amount of water to the moss plants. A misting spray is the best type of watering for moss plants. Moss retains its color even in cold temperatures. Fertilizer is not required for moss bed plants. Remove leaves and debris from plants as it accumulates.

Problems of Moss Growing

• Moss shows signs of wear and stress where heavy foot traffic occurs. Children's play is too rough for areas planted with moss. Delays in irrigation causes moss to deteriorate quickly, so keep plants watered on a regular schedule. Inadequate shading causes moss plants to die out and become unsightly.