How to Make Moss Covered Garden Pots
Last year at our local flea market I came upon a vendor with gorgeous topiaries sprouting from moss covered garden pots. Her plants were a little pricey but I loved the pots and caved to temptation, taking two of them home with me. But a few months later their appeal lost its luster and I neglected the plants, almost killing them both. Thankfully, I was able to nurse them back to health, but the moss growing on the pots faded. Lucky for me, I remembered reading about a recipe to help spread moss in the garden. I figured, why not try and use this concoction to make moss covered garden pots of my own?
This is what the flaky moss covered garden pots looked like when I brought them home from the flea market. I searched online for a moss propagating recipe and found several. I settled on the one with the least number of ingredients.
A trip to The Mossy Twig in Geneva resulted in a couple handfuls of live moss.
I threw the moss in a blender with 1 cup buttermilk and 1 cup water.
Then blended on “milkshake mode” until I got this brownish, slightly smelly mixture.
Using an artist’s brush, simply paint the mixture onto your garden pot.
The mixture is slightly chunky, which is fine. Those chunks turned green in 24 hours.
Mist the outside of the garden pots at least once per day to keep the moss growing. If you water the plant once per day, it will help to keep the clay pot wet. Just be sure you plant something that can handle daily watering … just a little water each day. Don’t overdo!
You can see the moss covered garden pots on the far side of the room by the door.
They definitely look more interesting with their mossy green goodness!
I found another recipe that uses beer and sugar, but I thought the one I used is simpler.
Moss Recipe
1 cup buttermilk
1 cup water
2 small handfuls live moss
Put all ingredients in blender and blend until smooth.
Don’t forget that I’m also starting my new Charming Home Series this Sunday. I want soooo badly to tell you whose charming home is being featured first … but I’m gonna keep it a secret! You’ll just have to check back to see who it is! I can’t wait!
Sharing at Metamorphosis Monday,Wow Us Wednesday
Love it! And you got results immediately. I had forgotten about this moss recipe – think I’ll make a batch for my Easter pots 🙂
Do the pots need to be Terra cotta?
This is new to me. How pretty! We have moss in our yard, can I use that? So interesting! I love your living room. The moss pots look great in the background. Bringing the outdoors inside. Love!
Yes, Sherry! You can use the moss in your yard to do this!
Love these! Going to share today! x
Lucky you…I’ve never had success with this. I guess I must not have misted them on a daily basis! Maybe, I’ll try them once again!
JP
Yes, misting the moss is important to keep it growing. Good luck!
Gorgeous – and thanks for the simple steps! Can’t wait to try it.
xo ~kim & chloe
Thanks for sharing this. I have a pot I want to grow moss on because what had grown on it dried up. I have some out-dated yogurt and was thinking of using that. Do you think that would work?
Audrey Z. @ Timeless Treasures
Audrey, I have heard of using yogurt and buttermilk together, but I don’t know what quantity.
Your moss pot is perfectly lovely!!! I would love to make one of these, so thank you for sharing your tutorial. It looks very easy – and beautiful. 🙂
Blessings!
Kim
I love moss covered pots too. The y add such warmth and character to any garden!
Cynthia
I’m trying to do the same thing with my garden pots and shave been reading everything I can find both on Pinterest and Google. The blender recipes is everywhere, but recently a moss expert said these recipe don’t work. So, did moss really grow on your pots? I haven’t seen the final picture that confirms it. I need to make sure moss will rally grow where I live. Can you help?
If you have no moss like the one you show, were can I get some!!?
will the moss live on my pots that are in full sun?
Gorgeous xx