The Best Bonsai Moss That Looks Good On Bonsai

Care

One of the key aesthetics of the bonsai tree is its moss.

The best moss species for bonsai are silver moss (Bryum argenteum) and other moss in the Bryum family because they have all the qualities necessary for bonsai moss and are easy to collect for free as well as propagate.

Qualities necessary for bonsai moss

The qualities you should look for in your bonsai moss are;

  1. Good aesthetics
  2. Ability to retain water and soil
  3. Fit the climate in the region and
  4. Caring similar to your bonsai tree.

Good aesthetics

The moss is an important part of the aesthetics of the bonsai tree.  The moss at the base of the trunk enhances the beauty of the bonsai tree and gives the impression that the tree has lived for a long time in that state.

In this regard, bonsai moss should be relatively small in height and not so conspicuous.  If it is too large or tall, bonsai trees do not look like fully-grown ones in nature.  There are kinds of moss that grow a few inches tall, which are good for moss terrarium,‎ but not suitable as bonsai moss.

Also, the color of the moss should match the tree.  Moss can be yellow, brown or grey but the greenish color best matches the bonsai tree.

Retain water and soil

The moss can help retain water and stop the soil in the pot from flowing out.  The kind of moss that gather together in a lump and bind the soil is good bonsai moss.

Moss has excellent water absorption and water retention ability thanks to its sponge-like structure.  It can do a good job of preventing the bonsai tree from drying out when it is hot in summer.

Moss can also prevent the soil from flowing out, especially for those that have just been repotted as the roots of the recently repotted bonsai tree are not fully developed and could flow out when watered.

Fit the climate of the region

Bonsai moss should fit the climate of the region you live.  If you live in California whose climate is warm and dry,‎ for example, moss species that prefer high humidity and less sunlight might not survive.

Visit your local natural museum (or its website) to learn which species of moss grow in your region.  Those which grow naturally around you are the best moss for your bonsai trees.  Be careful, those readily available on the internet might be good for terrarium but not be fitted to grow with your bonsai trees.

Caring similar to bonsai tree

Bonsai moss should not need special care separate from your bonsai trees.  It should be cared for at the same time when you care for your bonsai trees.  In that matter, photophilic moss species (those that grow well under the sun) are preferable since bonsai trees need lots of sunlight.

The best moss species for bonsai

Top recommendation

The best species for bonsai moss is silver moss (Bryum argenteum) and other moss in the Bryum family because;

  • they are short and their color matches bonsai trees;
  • they grow together densely and hold water and soil well;
  • they can tolerate heat and cold;
  • they can be found anywhere near human habitat for free; and
  • they do not need special care.

Silver moss (Bryum argenteum)

Silver moss (on the left)

Silver moss (on the left)

Common name: Silver moss/ silvergreen bryum moss
Latin name: Bryum argenteum
Color: silver-green
Height: 1 inch (1-2 cm)
Habitat: Urban roadside
Sunlight needs: Yes
Humidity: Low
Physical characteristic

Bryum argenteum,‎ also known as silver moss, is the most common urban moss found all over the world.  It is usually silvery-green colored but becomes whitish-green when dry or absorbed too much sunlight.

This is a kind of moss that each moss grows together and becomes a lump.  When it grows densely, a lot of light brown rhizoids (kind of roots for moss) function as roots at the bottom of the stem to bind the soil together.

The height is about 1 inch high (1-2cm).

Growing conditions and distribution

It has a high ability to tolerate strong sunlight and drought and can even withstand total drying.  As silver moss is a cosmopolitan species, you can easily find it in gaps of paving stones, on asphalt, or on roadsides around your house.

Reproduction

Silver moss reproduces by pollen-like eggs.  Once the sperm are produced and released, they swim to the female structures.  After an egg is fertilized, the capsule on a stalk is produced (as seen in the picture below) which contains spores that are released once they mature.

structure of moss

※Click to enlarge

You can propagate silver moss by mixing capsules or cuttings of the moss with the soil and scatter it on top of the bonsai soil.‎  The moss will grow fully in about a month when it is warm.

Other moss in the Bryum family

Bryum, including silver moss, is cosmopolitan moss in the family Bryaceae that contains the largest diversity of mosses, and many of them are fit for bonsai moss.  They can withstand extreme heat as well as cold as moss.  In fact, some of the moss in Bryum family thrive in Antarctica.

Here are some of the examples of the Bryum moss that are good for bonsai.

  • Bryum capillare
  • Bryum coronatum

Other recommendations

Redshank/fire moss (Ceratodon purpureus)

fire moss

(Source: Wikipedia)

Common name: Redshank/ fire moss
Latin name: Ceratodon purpureus
Color: Yellow-green/ red
Height: 0.5 inches (1cm)
Habitat: Urban roadside
Sunlight needs: Yes
Humidity: Medium
Physical characteristic

The stems of fire moss are erect, usually about 0.5 inch (1.3 cm) long, and each moss grows together and form dense carpets.

Growing conditions and distribution

Fire moss is typically found growing on urban roadsides or dry soils.  It is one of the most common cosmopolitan mosses found worldwide and occurs in every state in the US.  It is most likely growing in a site that is exposed and dries out rapidly, such as on walls, roadsides and rooftops.  The common names “red roof moss” and “fire moss” make reference to some of its preferred habitats.

From spring to fall, fire moss forms purple capsules a couple of inches long.  You can cut them out if it is disturbing the look of the bonsai tree.

Bonfire moss (Funaria hygrometrica)

Funaria hygrometrica

(Souce: Wikipedia)

Common name: Bonfire moss
Latin name: Funaria hygrometrica
Color: Light-green
Height: 0.5 inches (1cm)
Habitat: Backyard, field
Sunlight needs: Yes
Humidity: Medium
Physical characteristic

Bonfire moss is light-green and upright, and about a half to an inch tall.  The short shoots of this moss (0.5 inches/ 1cm) form loose carpets.  The egg-shaped leaves vary in size (0.08-0.16 inches long / 2–4 mm long) and are translucent.

From spring to fall, bonfire moss form swan-neck-like capsules of 1-2 inches (3-5 cm) long.  You can cut them out if it is disturbing the look of the bonsai tree.

Growing conditions and distribution

Bonfire moss is a type of water moss that grows on moist soil in a shade, like in the backyard or the side of the field.

Undulate atrichum moss (Atrichum undulatum)

Atrichum undulatum

(Source: Wikipedia)

Common name: Undulate atrichum moss
Latin name: Atrichum undulatum
Color: Dark green
Height: 3 inches (7cm)
Habitat: Shaded, well-drained place
Sunlight needs: No (shade)
Humidity: Medium
Physical characteristic

Undulate atrichum moss is dark green but is yellower under the sun.  Individual stems are upright, unbranched, and grow to 3 inches tall, with long, narrow, pointed leaves up to 0.4 inches (1 cm) long.

Growing conditions and distribution

Undulate atrichum moss is usually found in shaded, well-drained places, but it also occurs in unimproved and semi-improved grasslands or on rocky ledges.  It is native to North America and Europe.

Reproduction

It usually produces several capsules per shoot, and these remain in situ, so old fruits appear lateral on growing stems.

Other moss in the Atruchum family

  • Starburst moss (Atrichum angustatum)

It is star-like shaped moss and is native to North America and Europe.

starburst moss

(Source: Ohio Moss and Lichen Association)

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Reference

“Atrichum undulatum”. British Bryological Society.  (Link here)

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