Keeping a Moss Terrarium Alive and Healthy Indoors

A moss terrarium is a wonderful way to bring a little piece of nature indoors. Watching the tiny moss plants grow can be relaxing and meditative. Moss terrariums are also relatively easy to care for, as long as you provide the right conditions. With proper sunlight, moisture, and ventilation, your moss garden will thrive inside your home.

Choosing the Right Moss

Not all mosses are well-suited to terrarium life. The best mosses for indoor terrariums are tropical and subtropical varieties that naturally grow in shady, humid environments. Popular choices include:

• Java moss
• Peacock moss
• Sheet moss
• Mood moss
• Cushion moss
• Haircap moss

These types of moss prefer consistent moisture and indirect sunlight. Avoid sun-loving mosses that require full sun and xeric varieties that thrive in desert climates. For your closed terrarium, look for mosses labeled as tropical, shade-loving or woodland.

When selecting moss, inspect it closely. The moss should have a vibrant green color and show no signs of browning or wilting. Yellow, brown or brittle mosses will struggle in an indoor terrarium. It’s best to start with small starter portions of moss that are actively growing.

Choosing the Right Terrarium Container

Your container choice will significantly impact the environment inside your moss terrarium. The most common vessels used include glass jars, bowls, and hanging bubbles. Make sure to select a container with a wide opening to allow access for planting and maintenance. The size should be proportional to the amount of moss: don’t overwhelm a small amount of moss in a huge container.

Glass is ideal for terrariums because it allows light to enter. Make sure to choose transparent, colorless glass. Colored or frosted glass will block too much light. Glass also helps retain humidity levels inside the terrarium. Containers that seal tightly, like a mason jar, work best for closed terrariums.

Before planting, be sure to sanitize the glass container to remove any dirt, oil or soap residues. Soak in a 1:10 bleach solution for 15 minutes and rinse thoroughly.

Creating the Right Growing Medium

Moss thrives when grown on an open, porous substrate. You want the medium to retain some moisture but also have good drainage and aeration. Dense potting soil will suffocate moss roots. The best growing media options include:

• Sphagnum moss: Absorbs lots of water and provides an acidic environment that moss loves. Look for high quality, sterile dried sphagnum.
• Granular charcoal: Helps absorb odors and regulate moisture levels. Look for horticultural grade activated charcoal.
• Sand: Adds weight and drainage. Be sure to use sand intended for horticultural use.
• Small gravel or pebbles: Decorative top dressing that also improves drainage.

A simple mix is equal parts sphagnum moss, charcoal, and sand. Or you can create layers, with gravel at the bottom, then the soil mix, and top dress with gravel. The substrate should be 2-3 inches deep.

Planting Your Moss

Once you’ve chosen your vessel, substrate, and moss, it’s time to plant your terrarium. Start by moistening the soil mix. It should be wet but not dripping. Next, remove the moss from its nursery container. Gently loosen and divide into smaller sections.

Place the moss sections evenly over the surface of the soil. Press them gently to adhere to the substrate. Arrange the pieces close together but not completely overlapping. Leave about 1/2 inch between sections to allow new growth. You can cover the entire surface or create a natural design.

Top dress over the soil layer with the pebbles or gravel. This not only looks nice but helps stabilize the moss as it takes root.

Caring for Your Moss Terrarium

Moss terrariums require minimal care when set up properly. Follow these tips and your moss garden will thrive:

Watering

• Since the terrarium is a closed system, you won’t need to water very often. Moss prefers constant moisture but not waterlogged soil.
• When watering, use distilled or rain water. Tap water may have salts or chemicals that harm moss.
• Only add a small amount of water at a time along the edges. Don’t soak the entire terrarium. The substrate should feel moist but never be saturated.
• Water when the moss starts to look dry and faded. Wait at least a week between waterings to allow the substrate to dry out a bit.

Light

• Moss needs bright but indirect light. Place the terrarium near an east or west facing window out of direct sun.
• If the light is too dim, the moss will thin and leggy. If light is too direct, the moss will dry out and yellow. Observe the conditions and adjust the location accordingly.
• Rotate the terrarium periodically so all sides get even lighting. Moss tends to reach towards light.

Temperature & Humidity

• Moss grows best with cool to moderate temperatures around 60-75°F. Avoid hot or freezing areas.
• High humidity is important, which is why a sealed container works well. If condensation beads on the glass, open it occasionally to allow ventilation.
• Keep away from heating and cooling vents that will dry out or chill the terrarium.

Maintenance

• Use clean scissors or shears to trim any moss that becomes overly long and straggly. This encourages new compact growth.
• Remove any brown or dead sections by gently pulling them away from the substrate. Healthy moss should green up quickly.
• Watch for fungus gnats and remove immediately. Let the soil dry out completely before watering again to discourage gnats.
• Every few months, rinse away salt buildup by taking the moss out and washing the container. Replace a bit of the substrate if it’s breaking down.

Troubleshooting Common Moss Terrarium Problems

Even when set up properly, you may occasionally encounter issues with your moss terrarium. Here are some common problems and solutions:

Brown, dying moss: This is usually caused by too little moisture or overly wet soil. Adjust watering frequency and quantity accordingly. Low light levels can also cause browning.

Leggy, stretched out moss: Increase light exposure if possible. Trimming the moss will encourage new compact growth.

Mold/algae growth: Cut back on watering and open the lid temporarily to increase air flow. Remove affected sections and clean the glass.

Insects like fungus gnats: Let the soil dry out completely and remove the bugs by hand. Cover the soil with a thin layer of sand to deter future insects.

Cloudy or smelly water: Drain and refresh the water. Clean the container with bleach solution. Remove decomposing plant material.

White salt deposits on glass: Leach out buildup by filling the container with distilled water and letting it soak for an hour. Wipe away residue.

With proper substrate, lighting, humidity and care your moss terrarium can thrive indoors for years to come. Adjusting conditions based on seasonal changes will also help keep your moss healthy. Take time to observe and get to know your terrarium’s needs. Moss can grow very slowly, so have patience. Your diligent care will be rewarded by the sight of lush, vibrant moss spreading across your miniature world.

The Benefits of Keeping a Moss Terrarium

Beyond being an easy-care houseplant, cultivating a moss garden in a terrarium offers many benefits:

Decoration: With its lush greenery and unique design, a moss terrarium makes an attractive decorative accent in any room. You can create simple or elaborate landscapes.

Purifies Air: Like all plants, moss takes in carbon dioxide and releases oxygen through photosynthesis. A terrarium can help freshen indoor air.

Increases Humidity: The closed environment of a terrarium holds in moisture plants like moss need. This small humid oasis benefits your other indoor plants too.

Stress Relief: Studies show caring for houseplants and watching them grow reduces anxiety, lowers blood pressure, and lifts your mood. Terrariums you can observe up close offer even more relaxation.

Teaches Responsibility: Having to care for your moss by watering, trimming, and troubleshooting problems makes for a great learning experience, especially for children.

Adds Texture: The soft, lush carpet of moss is a wonderful tactile element. A moss wall terrarium provides unique visual and textural interest.

Brings Nature Inside: Keep a tiny preserved ecosystem alive in your home or office for a taste of the natural world. It’s ideal if you don’t have an outdoor garden space.

Choosing the Right Plants to Complement Your Moss

While moss makes an ideal terrarium focal point, you can add other small plants to complement the design. Choose miniature tropical varieties that enjoy the same warm, humid growing conditions.

Popular terrarium plant pairings include:

• Tillandsia: These epiphytic air plants look striking displayed on wood or bound to stones and pebbles. Provide bright, indirect light.
• Nerve plants: Trailing Fittonia species add color with their pink, red, and white veined foliage. They like steady humidity.
• Mini orchids: Compact orchid varieties like Bulbophyllums and Angraecums thrive in terrariums, where humidity is high. Give them space from the moss.
• Creeping fig: The tiny leaves of Ficus pumila varieties provide lush coverage over wood, rocks and the glass. Don’t let them take over.
• Polka dot plant: The bright pink-spotted foliage of Hypoestes phyllostachya contrasts beautifully with green moss. Prune growth regularly.
• Tropical ferns: Birds nest ferns, button ferns, and staghorn ferns add delicate airy textures. Avoid overwatering.

Mix heights, colors, and textures for the most interest, but limit the plant selection to just a few types. Remember the small space can only sustain a few mini plants. Choose slow growing varieties that will stay compact and won’t overrun your moss.

Using Air Plants and Moss in Open Terrariums

Interesting and Unique Moss Terrarium Design Ideas

One of the joys of cultivating a moss terrarium is letting your creativity run free. You can landscape with moss in endless inspiring ways. Consider these unique terrarium design ideas:

• Create a magical moss gnome home, complete with pathway, fence, mini benches, and mushroom or fairy figurines.
• Construct a miniature Japanese zen garden with moss, rocks, bonsai, and a tiny rake or bridge.
• Recreate a tropical rainforest environment with moss covered logs, gravel stream bed, and tropical plants.
• Fill a glass globe with pillow moss and display Tillandsias tucked into the moss mattress.
• Build up varied height with pebbles and wood chunks, allowing sheet moss to drape down like a living wall.
• Form words or shapes using chopped club moss pressed into the substrate.
• Cover sturdy wire shapes like hearts or initials with preserved reindeer moss for romantic gifts.
• Add tiny solar powered lights or woodland figurines to create a magical glowing garden.
• Plant succulents like hens and chicks into a gravel patio surrounded by mounds of emerald green moss.

Let your imagination run wild! Part of the fun is continually changing and adding new elements to your tiny living art installation.

Sourcing Quality Materials for Building Your Moss Terrarium

While moss and glass containers form the backbone of your design, sourcing special materials can elevate your terrarium. Here are some ideas on where to find unique supplies:

Rocks and Gravel: Visit a local craft store, garden center, or home improvement store’s rock and gravel section. Tumbled stones, pea gravel, and bagged landscape rock offer lots of options. Or take a nature walk and collect your own interesting rocks and pebbles.

Wood: Craft stores sell bags of natural wood chunks, discs, and sticks. You can also find small pieces of aged wood or driftwood along hiking trails and beaches. Always properly sanitize anything collected outdoors.

Plants: Specialty plant nurseries and craft stores like Michaels have fantastic terrarium plant selections not found in big box stores. Also check out outdoor farmers markets and flea markets.

Decorations: Dollhouse miniature shops and model train stores carry an amazing array of tiny accessories perfect for terrarium use like benches, fences, and figurines. Or make your own from polymer clay.

Mosses: Look for premium preserved sheet moss and reindeer moss at craft and hobby stores. Tropical moss varieties are found at nurseries and aquarium shops.

Tools: Dollar stores, county fairs, flea markets and antique malls can turn up neat finds like vintage tongs, tweezers, and scissors sized right for terrarium planting and maintenance.

Don’t be afraid to think outside the box when sourcing fun materials to realize your creative moss terrarium vision!

Sustainably Collecting Moss in Nature for Terrariums

For a truly organic and natural terrarium, you may want to collect your own moss straight from nature. Many mosses grow abundantly outdoors and can be sustainably wildcrafted. However, never harvest moss in protected wilderness areas, parks, or private property.

Stick to locations where moss is plentiful and collect only small sample pieces here and there. Research which mosses grow in your area and seek them out. The best places to look are downed logs, shaded woodlands, creek beds, and damp rocky areas.

Always bring along a stiff brush and gardening hand shovel or trowel. Carefully loosen the moss with the brush and slide a shovel underneath to lift up intact pieces. Try to disturb the surrounding environment as little as possible. Take moss only from the edges of the colony so it can regrow.

Never completely strip any area of moss cover. After collecting, brush debris off the moss and place samples into paper bags or breathable collecting baskets. Keep the moss shaded and misted until you can get it into a terrarium. Thoroughly rinse and clean wild moss before use in a closed indoor environment.

When sustainably foraged, natural moss gathered in the wild can lend an organic beauty to your terrarium you just can’t replicate buying moss from a store.

Advancing Your Moss Terrarium Skills through Community Resources

If you become captivated by the art of moss terrarium gardening, there are wonderful online and local communities to help you learn more. Here are some great resources for advancing your skills:

Garden Blogs: There are many fabulous moss terrarium blogs with in-depth articles, how-to guides, and inventive design ideas. Moss and Fiddlehead is one excellent example.

Social Media Groups: Facebook has groups like Terrarium Addicts and The Japanese Garden Enthusiasts that allow members to share photos, ask questions, and get feedback.

Online Forums: Garden forums like Houzz have special sections for terrarium gardeners to discuss techniques and troubleshoot issues.

Books: Expand your knowledge with moss gardening books like Super Moss: A Comprehensive Guide to Indoor Moss Gardening by Hideshi Kimura or The Magical World of Moss Gardening by Annie Martin.

Local Classes: Many garden centers, nurseries, and parks departments now offer terrarium building and moss gardening workshops.

Botanical Gardens: Public gardens like Denver Botanic Gardens often display stunning moss terrariums. Take a tour and find inspiration.

Terrarium Societies: See if your city has a terrarium society that hosts meetings, arranges plant swaps, and welcomes beginners.

Immersing yourself in the vibrant online and local moss terrarium community will exponentially expand your skills. Learn from experts and find your unique artistic voice as a moss gardener.

Final Thoughts

Creating a thriving moss terrarium ecosystem provides endless fascination and satisfaction. With proper care, your mini garden can last for many years, evolving as you fine-tune conditions and make enhancements. Don’t be intimidated to try your hand at assembling a terrarium. Start small and simple, then progress to more elaborate designs as you gain experience.

Remember to take things slowly and have patience. Allow your moss plenty of time to establish and fill in before making changes. Observe how the moss responds under different light and humidity levels. The more attuned you become to your terrarium’s needs, the healthier your mosses will grow. Let your inner creative spirit run free in designing captivating planted landscapes under glass. Your living art piece will provide natural beauty and tranquility for years to come.