Choosing Your Terrarium Mosses

Mosses are found in a variety of microclimates and therefore have a variety of needs 

(moisture, sun exposure and shade, humidity, etc.). Choosing the right one can be difficult but this is made easier because we will be focussing on the microclimate found in closed terrariums. For a great overview of moss types and care visit the Mountain Moss website.

For our purposes: the two most important factors to consider when setting up a closed terrarium: light exposure dictated by the position of the terrarium and thus moisture control depending on exposure and moss species. Below follows a list of mosses that can be used in different positions and microclimates.

So here are some general suggestions for moss types that I have dealt with so far.

Shade loving

Hypnum curvifolium, Hypnum imponens, Leucobryum albidum, Leucobryum glaucum, Polytrichum commune, Polytrichum juniperinum, Sphagnum palustre, Thuidium delicatulum

Sun loving

Leucobryum glaucum, Leucobryum albidum, Polytrichum commune, Polytrichum juniperinum, Sphagnum palustre

Partial Shade/Partial Sun

Dicranum scoparium, Hypnum curvifolium, Hypnum imponens, Leucobryum albidum, Leucobryum glaucum, Polytrichum commune, Polytrichum juniperinum, Sphagnum palustre, Thuidium delicatulum

Terrarriums including water features

Sphagnum palustre, Thuidium delicatulum, Hypnum imponens

Remember – exposure/terrarium position in combination of moss type dictates moisture/watering frequency and thus the health and appearance of the moss!

Top Image from Peter Stenzel Flickr