Carpet moss can be useful and well-loved among people who love plants. It offers a variety of uses in gardening, from growing mediums and soil amendment to aiding humidity-loving plants to retain water. Once you’ve discovered the various ways that it can benefit your plant, you’ll wish you had started using it earlier.
In this article, we’ll take a look at 10 ways to make use of the moss plant and other plants, as well as some ideas you might not have even considered.
What is Moss?
Moss can refer to the 380 species of mosses that grow in peat bogs marshes and wetlands. It’s the most widespread species throughout areas of the Northern Hemisphere, although you’ll also see it growing across New Zealand, Tasmania, and Brazil.
It’s sometimes known as sphagnum but both aren’t identical. One of the main distinctions between moss and peat moss is the fact that the latter is a living moss that has been dried following the harvesting.
Peat moss, on the other hand, is composed of decaying or dead sphagnum moss and other decayed material that is found within peat bogs.
The uses for sphagnum-moss
Sphagnum moss is a great choice for potting because of its many features that will allow you to create lush, healthy Perennials plants. It’s water-retentive, has fibrous textures that aid in drainage, and is less susceptible to diseases that are transmitted by soil compared to the most potting mixes. Plus, it has a unique decorative appeal.
These are some of our best recommendations to make use of sphagnum moss in your plants.
Make use of it to make potting medium
If you’re in search of an odorless potting mix suitable that can be used indoors for plants, sphagnum moss can be the best option. It can be used as pure sphagnum in pots to grow plants that like a mix of moist soil and great drainages, like Anthuriums, Alocasia, Philodendrons, or even orchids.
To improve drainage, mix moss and soil amendments like pumice, perlite, and cocoa husks.
Create a moss pole
This is among the most effective ways to help tropical epiphytic species that love climbing. A moss pole can aid in helping your Philodendrons to develop their large iconic leaves, and also encourage species like Monstera as well as Epipremnum (Pothos) to form striking the fenestrations.
Propagate seeds for houseplants
Because Sphagnum moss is a great source of the ability to retain moisture making it an excellent seed-starter medium. It is possible to use sphagnum mounds to sprout just about every plant seed you could imagine, such as succulents and cacti.
Then, fill a clear plastic container with moist sphagnum-moss Spread the seeds on the top, cover with a lid and place the container in a warm area with direct light that is bright. Based on the seeds you’re cultivating the seeds should begin to germinate in around two or three months.
Root plant cuttings
Certain gardeners prefer to root their cuttings of plants in soil, while others prefer to root them in water. If you’re looking to take your proliferating game further, then using Sphagnum moss is the right method to follow. This substrate is excellent for water retention and can aid your cuttings in growing roots more quickly.
Simply fill a plastic container with sphagnum Place your cuttings into the stems and then use a spray bottle that keeps the moss moist. The plant should begin to show roots as early as the Partridgeberry plant.
Make use of it for air layering
The air layering technique is an effective method of propagation which is extremely effective for houseplants that trail and vining. It’s also an extremely easy method to grow indoor plants. Make sure you have moss that is damp then wrap it over the growth point. It is possible to use plastic wrap to hold it to the ground.
Help plants heal from damaged roots
The most dreadful nightmare for any indoor gardener is to see their plants die due to excessive watering. But, the fact that your plant has root rot, doesn’t mean that it’s gone. Actually, you can utilize sphagnum moose to keep a plant from root decay.
Start by removing the plant from the pot, and then washing all potting mix off the roots. Utilize a sterilized knife to remove the decayed roots and then place the sick plant in a pot filled with moist moss that is pure and pure. Put it in there for around a month until the plant begins to look healthier.