Sphagnum moss: a great aid for growing plants

 

Sphagnum moss: everything you need to know

Sphagnum moss (genus Sphagnum) is the name for species of moss that grow mainly in peat bogs, which is probably also how they got their Czech name. There are many species of sphagnum moss; in the Czech Republic alone, there are around thirty-two. Sphagnum mosses are unique, and in the world of houseplants and gardening, they are valued above all for their ability to hold water and release it gradually. Sphagnum cells can absorb large amounts of water, in some species up to twenty times their dry weight. You will find more about sphagnum moss and its uses further on in this article.

As we mentioned earlier, sphagnum moss belongs to the very large Sphagnum genus of mosses, which has over 300 different species. Sphagnum moss is also interesting for its indeterminate growth: it can keep growing at the tip while the old leaves die off underneath. Peat forms from the dead parts of sphagnum moss. One place that prides itself on its peat is the Czech national nature reserve Rejvíz, known for its peat bog and moss pools.

 

Not all sphagnum moss is the same

In the world of houseplants, mosses of the genus Sphagnum are used most often. However, there are different ways of harvesting them, which then affect how they are used, as do their different pH levels (the level of acidity or alkalinity).

Dead sphagnum moss (known as peat moss) is collected from the bottom of wetlands and bogs. This particular way of harvesting mixes the moss with other decomposed parts of plants or insects, which makes the end result a very rich source of organic nutrients. Sphagnum moss processed this way is acidic. Dead sphagnum moss is therefore best suited as an additive to potting mixes.

Live sphagnum moss (known simply as sphagnum moss) is, as the name suggests, collected from still-living moss on the surface of bogs and wetlands. This type is either used in its living form or dried and then used in more specialized ways. Sphagnum moss processed this way has a neutral pH (neither acidic nor alkaline).

Sphagnum moss from Dej mi pokojovku

You may have already noticed that we also offer the live type of sphagnum moss in pressed form in our online store. It is high-quality sphagnum moss from Chile, pressed and dried into a block. High-quality sphagnum moss lasts a long time and can keep for 2 to 5 years. Before use, let this sphagnum moss soak up water; it then “comes back to life” and is ready to use.

 

Sustainability

Sphagnum moss, that is, live sphagnum moss, is also considered a more sustainable and environmentally friendly option than its dead counterpart (peat moss). Peat moss can even take centuries to form before it is sufficiently developed and ready to harvest, while sphagnum moss is ready to harvest and use within a few years.

 

The many uses of sphagnum moss

Thanks to its absorbency and other special properties, sphagnum moss has many uses in gardening and in growing houseplants.

 

An additive to potting mix

Dead sphagnum moss (peat moss) is suited above all to improving soil, both in gardens and in planters. Not only is this moss a source of organic nutrients, but you can also make use of its absorbency, as well as its lightness and breathability. Thanks to sphagnum moss, the soil holds the moisture it needs for longer. However, keep in mind that this particular addition to your potting mix will be appreciated mainly by houseplants that thrive in more acidic soil. Acid-loving (acidophilic) plants include ferns and African violets, among others. Sphagnum moss in the soil also suits palms, citrus plants, cacti and succulents, and it is often included in potting mixes made specifically for these plants.

 

Photo: Sphagnum moss used for rooting cuttings of Syngonium Albo Variegata

 

A medium for rooting and propagation

Live sphagnum moss is an ideal medium for propagating plants, whether from tubers or cuttings. Thanks to its absorbency, it holds enough of the moisture that plants need while rooting, and at the same time it is light, so the roots can grow through it without any problems. Unlike hydroponics (using water), sphagnum moss is not too wet, so there is a lower risk of root rot when you use it.

 

First aid for rot

Sphagnum moss has natural antibacterial properties. The moss contains sphagnol, which generally helps disinfect the soil, making it less prone to mold and fungi.

 

An alternative to potting mix

Live sphagnum moss is a good potting medium for most orchid species (e.g., Phalaenopsis or Dendrobium) and other epiphytic plants that need moisture but also a sufficiently airy potting mix. You can also grow tillandsias or anthuriums in sphagnum moss. In its live form, sphagnum moss does not hold as many nutrients as ordinary soil, so if needed, you can fertilize the plants grown in it.

 

Sphagnum moss supports (poles)

Live or dried sphagnum moss is great for making supports for climbing and vining plants, which can sink their aerial roots into the airy, moisture-retaining moss. A sphagnum moss pole is easy to make: you can simply wrap the moss around a pole with string, or you can get more creative with it. You can use various kinds of mesh (e.g., the kind that protects plants from nibbling animals), which you will find in hardware stores, or even specially designed frames and fillings made of hardened or recycled plastics.

After that, remember to check the sphagnum moss support and top up the moisture it needs.

 

Photo: Sphagnum moss is a great aid for making kokedama

 

Kokedama

Sphagnum moss is also popular for making kokedama, hanging moss decorations originally from Japan, in which you can grow any moisture-loving houseplant. Sphagnum moss is easy to shape, which makes a sphagnum moss kokedama easier to create, care for and grow. Syngoniums, bird’s nest ferns and marantas look the most spectacular as kokedama.

 

The creative potential of sphagnum moss

Sphagnum moss can be used in many of the ways mentioned above, but that does not mean the list ends there. Do you have a garden? Yes? And do you have your own peat bog? Sphagnum moss invites creativity in many ways, and if you want your own little Rejvíz in your garden at home, that is no problem. As decoration, you can even add a few hardier carnivorous plants.

 

Decoration

Sphagnum moss is not only practical but can also be decorative. It can give a special touch to the final look of a clear planter or terrarium, where you can use it to fill otherwise “dead” space.

You can also use sphagnum moss in a similar way as when making supports and poles, except that you can turn it into a “living wreath” by adding flowers.

 

In conclusion: watch out for mold

Although we mentioned the antibacterial effects of sphagnum moss earlier, even these mosses are not completely immune to some molds. Of course, they are more resistant and resilient, but unfortunately, sphagnum moss sometimes succumbs too. Because of its absorbency, sphagnum moss is a perfect medium not only for plants but also for mold.

If a white coating, a sign of mold, happens to appear on the sphagnum moss, try holding off on wetting the moss for a while and letting it dry out. If even drying out does not help, you can reach for products made specifically to fight mold (e.g., sprays).

Thorough prevention helps you avoid mold. If you use water that has been left to stand, you reduce not only mold and white coatings but also the buildup of limescale and chlorine.

In most cases, however, these are not molds that could harm plants. It is more of a cosmetic problem, as white coatings, for example on sphagnum moss poles, do not exactly look their best and do not give a healthy impression. That is why, in most cases, there is no reason or need to panic.

 

“Sphagnum moss really is a great helper for me. Since I first tried it, I root most of my houseplants in it. Above all, I use it for the rarer plants that are closest to my heart, because they root faster in sphagnum moss than in ordinary water and are not as prone to rot. It is my safe bet.”

 

Author: Jana Beránková