How to grow a moss lawn
Advice on how and where to create a moss lawn, in our guide.
A lawn made of moss can be a sustainable and beautiful alternative to grass if grown in the right conditions. Shady and damp spots where grass struggles to thrive are particularly suitable for moss lawns. While moss growing in grass lawns is often considered to be a nuisance, the advantages and appeal of intentional moss lawns for UK gardens are starting to be appreciated. Part of the inspiration has come from Oriental gardening styles, where moss has been creatively used in garden designs for hundreds of years. Moss is also beneficial for the environment, being highly efficient at capturing carbon from the atmosphere and, unlike grass, moss doesn’t need mowing.
What is a moss lawn?
A moss lawn is a green tapestry created using one or more types of usually native British moss, forming a soft velvety carpet that grows on soil as well as on hard surfaces such as concrete, rocks, and wood. Moss is the oldest type of plant in the world, having been in existence for over 400 million years. Mosses are non-vascular, which means they don’t have roots but absorb water and nutrients through their foliage.
How to grow a moss lawn
First assess your site and soil for suitability and then prepare the ground thoroughly before ordering moss from a specialist supplier. Soak the moss in water before planting, then water regularly for the first few months, weed regularly and remove fallen leaves or other debris that would otherwise inhibit growth.
Where to grow a moss lawn
Grow a moss lawn in full or partial shade on soil that retains moisture well, but without being liable to waterlogging. The soil needs to be neutral to slightly acidic, with a pH range from five to seven. Use a simple test kit to find out the pH level of your soil.
While a moss lawn can withstand light or occasional walking, put in paths or stepping stones if there will be regular foot traffic.
Although a moss lawn won’t stand up to a lot of wear and tear, and won’t tolerate hot sun, moss does make a handsome and relatively low maintenance lawn in the UK where conditions and climate suit its needs.
How to plant a moss lawn
Prepare the soil thoroughly to create a loose, open texture. Take care to remove all weeds, including every piece of root of perennial ones, which would otherwise grow through and eventually swamp the moss. If soil is on the dry side, water thoroughly a day or two in advance of planting.
Unpack moss on arrival and soak in water for up to half an hour to ensure it is thoroughly moist before planting. Collected rainwater is best for moss as tap water may contain lime, which is too alkaline for acid-loving mosses.
Place the moss on the ground, spreading out the clumps and breaking them into smaller pieces to ensure even coverage. Moss grows slowly, so leave only small gaps between clumps otherwise it will take a long time to create an unbroken carpet of green. Press gently to ensure good contact between the moss and soil.
How to care for a moss lawn
After planting, water gently and evenly using a hose with a spray nozzle. Then water as required during dry spells for the first growing season until your moss lawn has established good contact with the soil.
Weed control at an early stage is crucial as, once weeds become rooted, they’re hard to dig or pull up without removing patches of moss, too. Pull up young weeds by hand, or carefully lever them up using a pronged hand weeding tool.
Remove fallen leaves and debris promptly, either by hand or using a leaf blower, with care. Raking up leaves is not recommended as this is likely to damage the moss.
Pests and diseases
Moss is not subject to pests, diseases, or disorders, when grown in the right conditions.
Advice on buying moss
- Live moss is generally available only from a few specialist suppliers online, often sold as a mixture of species, grouped under the title ‘moss lawn’.
- Be aware that moss is sold for other purposes such as to use in terrariums, vivariums, and in living house plant displays, so not all live moss is suitable for creating lawns. The commonest example of this is sphagnum moss, which is a bog-lover.
Where to buy moss online
Types of moss to grow
There are hundreds of different species of moss native to the UK. These species are good for creating moss lawns and are available to buy from specialist moss suppliers. Never harvest moss from the wild to use in your garden, or for any other purpose. Moss is slow-growing and should be left to benefit wildlife, regardless of where it is growing.
- Carpet moss (Hypnum spp) – forms dense ground-hugging carpets in subtle shades of green. One of the best for moss lawns, growing on a range of soils. Although carpet moss grows best in moist conditions, it does tolerate periods without rain and short spells of sunlight.
- Common haircap moss (Polytrichum commune) – one of the tallest-growing mosses with green stems that form clumps or tufts that that can grow to around 30cm tall. Needs acidic soil and constantly moist conditions, so only suitable for high rainfall areas, ponds, or stream sides.
- Common tamarisk moss (Thuidium tamariscinum) – light to mid green feathery foliage clumps together to grow in sheets. Widely found on rotting wood as well as damp ground. Grows best on soil with a neutral pH.
- Glittering wood moss (Hylocomium splendens) – forms low carpets of light green or brownish growth with contrasting red stems.
- Irish moss (Sagina subulata) is not actually a moss but a ground cover perennial, albeit one that makes a suitable grass lawn alternative.
Frequently asked questions
Is a moss lawn sustainable?
Most mosses used for moss lawns are native and are collected sustainably, typically from tree plantations where the moss would otherwise be destroyed when the trees were chopped down. Always buy mosses from a reputable supplier that either farms its mosses or collects them in a way that protects the local environment.
