Start kokedama
Kokedama is a Japanese way to grow a plant without a pot: the roots go in a ball of soil, the ball gets a coat of moss, and string holds it all together. Set it on a dish or hang it up. Here's the video that hooks everyone, and everything you need for your first moss ball.
Space neededA table and a sink
First projectA moss ball in an afternoon
Skill levelBeginner-friendly
Good forPlant lovers, small homes, any age
The video that hooks everyone
How to make a kokedama moss ball, with care tips
A tutorial on making kokedama, live moss-ball houseplants, and how to care for them, with finished moss balls on display. Press play and see why it hooks people.
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Tool list
What you need to start
Everything you need for your first project, and nothing you don't. One small plant, a bag of soil, a bag of moss and some string.
Starter kit
01A small houseplant, 3 or 4 in. potPothos, a small fern or a spider plant. Easy, forgiving plants.
02Potting mixThe base of your soil ball.
03Akadama (bonsai soil)A clay-like bonsai soil that helps the ball hold its shape.
04Sheet mossLive or preserved. Enough to cover a ball the size of a grapefruit.
05Cotton or jute stringAbout 10 to 15 ft. Holds the moss on.
06Mixing bowlFor wetting and mixing the soil.
07Garden glovesFor handling soil and moss.
08ScissorsTrims the string and the moss.
09A shallow dishYour moss ball sits on it and it catches drips.
The manual tells you what to look for when you buy each one.
- 1Soil too dry to holdDry mix crumbles and the ball falls apart. Add water until a squeezed handful holds its shape like cookie dough.
- 2Watering from the topA splash runs off the moss and the middle stays dry. Soak the whole ball in water until the bubbles stop.
- 3Too much sunMoss dries out and turns brown in direct sun. Most moss balls like bright light, but out of the hot afternoon sun.
