Make your own kokedama (moss balls) - DIY

A kokedama is a Japanese garden art in which you wrap a plant in a clump of moss to care for and display it. The name Kokedama translates to “moss ball” and this type of plant display is particularly popular because it is very decorative and at the same time takes up little space. If you enjoy gardening or just want to try a different way of displaying plants, then making your own kokedama is right for you. In this article we will show you how you can easily make a kokedama yourself.

First of all, you need a plant of your choice. Plants with small root balls, such as ferns, ivy or spider plants, are ideal for kokedamas. Succulents also work well for this type of display. As soon as you have decided on a plant, you should carefully remove the root ball from the pot and thoroughly remove all old roots.

Next, you'll need special growing medium that consists of peat, akadama (a Japanese clay), and some sand. You can either purchase this medium from specialty stores or online, or make it yourself by mixing equal parts peat and akadama and adding some sand.

Now take a handful of the growing medium and form it into a clump. Press the medium firmly together so that it holds well later. Place the root ball in the middle of the medium and cover it completely. Once the root ball is well covered, you should press the medium down again so that everything holds together well.

Now take a clean piece of linen or cotton twine and wrap it around the clump of growing medium and root ball. Make sure that the string is wrapped tightly around the plant so that it will hold securely later.

Once you have wrapped the string around the plant, you should add a layer of moss on top. To do this, you can use either peat moss or sphagnum moss, which you must first soak in water. Press the moss well so it sticks well and cover the entire clump with it. Once the moss is firmly attached, you can hang the kokedama or place it on a base.

It's important that you water the kokedama regularly, but be careful not to get it too wet or it can rot. The best way to water is with a watering can or a mister. If you notice that the kokedama is getting too wet while watering, you can take a break from watering.

If you follow all of these steps, your kokedama should be easy to make and last for a long time. Feel free to experiment with different plants and types of moss to create your own individual Kokedama. Have fun making your own!