Decorate with moss this spring to bring the outdoors inside

Moss comes in a variety of shades of green, from very dark to the lightest chartreuse. Typically found in shady spots in the yard, it prefers cool, damp places to slowly creep along. Moss is perfect in spots where nothing else seems to grow. It can decorate a sandstone stoop, add interest to a cobblestone walkway or bring life to a rock garden.

Moss can be enjoyed indoors as well as a live plant or in a preserved form to decorate a simple sphere, a wreath or statuary. Decorating with moss can brighten a spring-themed sideboard or coffee table.

Moss is available for harvest outdoors if you are fortunate enough to have some growing. It can be mail-ordered through various growers across the country and it can be purchased in a preserved form at most craft stores. There are many varieties to choose from and mixing them looks nice.

When crafts mimic nature they seem to be less pretentious and fussy. Using live moss in your décor requires little care. Moss needs a bit of light and just a little water to keep it hydrated. Growing moss in a decorative terrarium allows you to create an indoor garden. Vintage apothecary jars are stylish and make the perfect environment for most moss.

Grow moss in an apothecary jar:

Materials:

Apothecary jar with lid

Soilless seed starting medium

Moss

1. Start with a clean apothecary jar with a lid.

2. Place a couple of inches of soilless seed starting medium in the bottom of the jar.

3. Water so the soilless medium is just wet.

4. Place moss you have collected outdoors or ordered from a grower atop the soilless medium.

5. Put the lid on the jar and keep in an indoor area that receives about five to eight hours of indirect sunlight. If condensation appears on the inside of the jar, remove the lid for a while to allow some of the water to evaporate.

You’ll be surprised how little you have to water the moss. A mist from a spray bottle once in a while will be sufficient.

Make a moss sphere:

Materials

Foam or papier-mache sphere, any size, painted green

White glue or spray-on glue

Moss

1. Start with a foam or papier-mache sphere (available at most craft shops). Try to find one in green or paint it. It will be much easier to cover.

2. Choose a single variety of preserved moss or several different types, depending on your taste. Single styles look more refined whereas a variety will have a wilder look.

3. Brush or spray on glue in sections and adhere the moss to the sphere. Once the sphere is completely covered, allow to dry for several hours.

Your moss sphere will retain its color for years to come if kept out of direct sunlight.

Use your moss décor as centerpieces, on shelves, hutches or intermingled with candles, live shade tolerant plants or cut flowers.

Get creative with moss. Cover a papier-mache letter with preserved moss and hang on the front door instead of a wreath. You can plant live moss in a window box or antique urn for an interesting display in a foyer or hallway. Use live moss as indoor mulch for house plants. It looks attractive and will keep pets from digging in your plants.

Moss is soothing in so many shades of green. Use it as a natural accent when decorating this spring.