How to Plant, Grow, and Care For a Moss Lawn

Raise your hand if mowing the lawn is not your favorite pastime! If this is you, and you have a shaded yard, moss might be a great alternative for you. Moss lawns are a low-maintenance and energy-saving alternative to traditional turf grass. They look beautiful and grow in almost any U.S. climate except the desert. 

Converting your grass lawn takes some effort, but once it’s done, it will significantly decrease your yard workload, freeing up your time for the fun planting. It also creates a lush, green space that saves time and energy. Moss lawns are generally more sustainable than turf grass. 

There are pros and cons to this type of lawn, certainly, and we will try to cover them all. It’s not for everyone, but it could be perfect for you. Let’s take a look at the process of switching from turf grass, and see if it will work in your space, and how to make it happen.

What Is It?

A moss lawn is exactly what it sounds like. A large area where cultivated moss creates a ground cover. If you’ve ever gazed longingly at photos of the rocky coasts of Ireland, you know just how beautiful this ground cover can be. These plants are members of the Bryophyta family and fall into several genera. This group of plants is flowerless and reproduces by spores rather than seeds.

More than 12,000 species of this plant exist worldwide, and they are divided into eight classes. All types are non-vascular and lack the tissues that vascular plants possess to transport food and water. They also do not grow true roots. They attach to surfaces by using threadlike rhizoids, which do not assist the plant in the uptake of nutrients or moisture. 

These are herbaceous evergreen plants. They remain green even in cold weather, and there are species that will grow in all hardiness zones. Different species have differing cold and heat tolerances. Most species do not ever exceed four inches tall. 

Benefits

The benefits of growing this type of lawn are extensive and lean heavily on sustainability. If conservation is high on your list of priorities, you’ll find plenty of reasons here. 

Conservation

Moss is far more energy efficient than turf grass in just about every way. It requires very little upkeep and uses rainwater efficiently. Because it has no true roots, moss takes in water by absorbing it like a sponge. They require little water to survive, so they are much more drought-tolerant than turf grass. 

In addition to lowering your water bill, you’ll save on fertilizers and pesticides. Moss takes in all the nutrients it needs from the air and is virtually pest-resistant. Many types of these plants grow well in shaded areas, where traditional lawns may look patchy and sparse. 

Soil and Air Health

Moss helps to prevent erosion by binding soil particles. It creates mat-like layers of soil which are less susceptible to wind and water erosion. It also absorbs toxic metals from the soil like copper, lead, and cadmium. It doesn’t require pesticides, chemical fertilizers, or herbicides which can further pollute the soil and groundwater. 

In addition to supporting healthier soil, this plant has positive effects on the air and environment in general. It acts as a filter for carbon, removing it from the atmosphere. Worldwide, the areas covered by this ancient plant remove more than 6 billion tons of carbon gas from the air, annually. 

Moss can also support the ecosystem and contribute to biodiversity. As you can see, there are many benefits with important and valuable functions. This type of lawn not only saves you time and money, but it’s much healthier for the environment in general. 

Drawbacks

The disadvantages of a moss lawn are not many, but they are also not insignificant. For one thing, you have to have the right environment. These plants grow best in at least partially shaded areas. Some varieties handle exposure better, but for the most part, it won’t look nearly as lush and green if you plant it in full sun. In warmer climates, this plant especially needs shade.

Your soil type is another factor that influences how well it will grow in your space. Most species need moist soil, although we will talk about some that are more amenable to sandy soil than others. Most types also need acidic soil with a pH of around 5.0-6.0. If your soil is alkaline, there is less of a chance that this will work for you, as there will be limited species amenable to grow in it. 

This type of ground cover is not as durable as turf grass, so it doesn’t work well in high-traffic areas. You’ll need to do any weeding by hand, as it is not tolerant of herbicides in the same way that grass is. It won’t tolerate leaf cover, so raking is something you should expect to do periodically. It can cost more initially to start this kind of lawn, so the startup cost may be significant. 

Mosses live in every growing zone, but very few withstand extreme heat or cold. Therefore, those in areas with intensely hot summers or cold winters will notice a dormancy, where the ground cover seems to die back during these periods.

Choosing the Right Type

It’s important to select a species and variety that will thrive in your environment. There are a few types considered most effective for building this type of space. They are:

Other species will work for this purpose. These are merely the most popular and easiest to find.

Thuidium Delicatulum

Also known as delicate fern moss, Thuidium delicatum is a common species that prefers moist, acidic soil. It grows best in partial shade and is an attractive mat-forming type that makes an attractive ground cover. 

It is fast-growing and requires little maintenance. It is not as heat tolerant as some others, however, and will turn brown in the summer if exposed to too much heat or sunlight.

Hypnum Imponens

Also called feather moss, Hypnum imponens is a nice species for medium-traffic areas that receive no more than partial sun exposure. It’s low-growing and has a beautiful, vibrant green color. It is easy to transplant and is the most common choice for lawns. 

It is slightly less heat and cold-tolerant than some other species, indicated only for USDA zones 5-8. It can tolerate low light conditions and has low water needs. It prefers high humidity but is unfussy in general. 

Leucobryum Albidum

The common name for Leucobryum albidum is pincushion moss. It is a beautiful species that forms small mounds of varying shades of green. If you want to create a space with an enchanted fairy glen feeling, this is the species for the task. 

The color of this species depends on sun exposure and moisture content, and it is very adaptable. It can grow in rich, acidic soil, but also thrives in poorer, sandy soil types. It is native to and grows excellently in much of the United States, with a concentration in the Eastern and Midwestern states.  

Dicranum scoparium

For areas of dense shade, Dicranum scoparium is a wonderful choice. Also known as broom moss, this variety is mounding and taller than other varieties. It grows long, curving leaves that curl over the shorter, wispy, fern-like mounds. 

It tolerates some sun but prefers shade and can form sun spots with too much exposure. This species prefers not to have wet feet and grows better in lightly moist soil. 

Planting

Since this is a plant that doesn’t produce seeds, planting it is different from most of the plants we put in our gardens. Because it also has no roots, it takes some time for it to get established. Because a moss lawn requires acidic soil, it is important to conduct a soil test ahead of making any financial commitment. 

Clear the planting areas of weeds and other debris. You want a surface that is firm and level, but rake the surface to create texture for the moss to attach to. Because it has no roots, you don’t technically ‘plant’ it. 

Lay your mats on the roughed-up soil and use landscaping pins to secure it. Water it well, and keep it moist for at least four to six weeks after planting until it establishes. You want it to stay moist but don’t water until pools form. Lightly walking on it from time to time will help it to get established. Once established, you shouldn’t be able to lift the mats.  

How to Grow

Once established, moss is exceptionally easy to grow. In fact, it doesn’t require much maintenance at all. Occasional weeding will keep it looking nice if you are unable to remove all roots from the planting area. 

Light

Different species have different light needs, although in general, mosses grow best in partial to nearly full shade. Sun moss, or Bryum caespiticium is tolerant of a wider range of exposures, growing well in sunny spots. It’s also more tolerant of alkaline soil. 

Other types that tolerate sun include sphagnum (Sphagnum L.), Irish (Sagina hawaiensis), and Scotch (Sagina hawaiensis ‘Aurea’) species. These all grow best in partial sun. Some shade in the afternoon is preferable for all species, but these tolerate the sun better than others. 

Water

Initially, your lawn will need regular watering to become established. Once established, however, supplemental watering is not usually necessary. In times of drought, an occasional watering won’t hurt. Otherwise, established ground cover survives with just rainwater and humidity. This lawn alternative stores moisture well. 

Soil

With a few exceptions, these plants prefer rich, moist, acidic soil. A pH between 5.0-6.0 is ideal. Sulfur powder applied to the area before planting can be helpful, but if your soil is naturally alkaline, it’s best to choose a more tolerant variety. 

Generally, the species that are more tolerant of sun exposure are also tolerant of more alkaline soil. Drainage is important, and nutrients are as well. It’s a good idea to amend your soil with compost or well-rotted manure before planting. 

Temperature and Humidity

Some species are cold-tolerant and continue to photosynthesize and remain evergreen through the winter. Some are cold hardy as far north as zone 3, while others won’t survive the winters north of zone 4. 

Most are also tolerant of high temperatures as long as they remain moist. Interestingly, the way many types can withstand very high temperatures is counterintuitive. They survive drying out and high heat by going dormant. They will turn brown during this time, but don’t worry; when the temperature goes back down and moisture goes up, they will turn green again. 

Most species are also more tolerant of drought than they are of dry air. Humidity is important for keeping your moss lawn happy. If you live in an arid climate, this is not the right choice for your lawn. 

Fertilizing

Moss draws most of the nutrients it needs from the air, and you can avoid fertilizing altogether. The best mode of fertility for your moss lawn is proper soil preparation prior to planting.

Maintenance

Aside from occasional weeding, there is little maintenance needed with this type of lawn. Herbicides can damage your moss, so pulling weeds by hand is the best solution. This will be most necessary as your carpet is filling in and becoming established. 

Aside from weeding, the only other maintenance that is important is keeping your lawn clear of leaves and other debris. When leaves and other objects sit on the surface and deprive your lawn of light, it can cause rotting and mold growth. 

Propagation

The least complicated way to propagate is by division. It’s not difficult to do. Simply dig up a patch of moss and divide it into smaller pieces. Then, plant it by securing it to the ground with landscaping pins. Water your divisions for several weeks until they establish, and you can no longer lift them from the ground. 

Common Problems

Moss lawns are virtually pest-free, but there are some other issues you may encounter. They are not tolerant of heavy foot traffic and can be prone to fungal disease. Planting on well-draining soil will help avoid many fungal issues. It also helps to keep your space free of leaves and debris.

Frequently Asked Questions