SUCCULENT KOKEDAMA

Kokedama first originated in Japan, where these moss ball string gardens are very popular. Kokedama is a unique and easy way to grow plants in and around your home and garden. Like other vertical gardens, kokedama are visually interesting while saving space at the same time. They make earthy accent pieces to an outdoor gathering—they’re sure to get guests talking!

WHAT YOU NEED

• Sheet Moss
• Scissors
• Soil
• Bowl of Water
• Succulent
• String or Twine

WHAT TO DO

1. Use your scissors to create a circle from your sheet moss. (You can find sheet moss at most garden centers.)
2. Wet your soil, creating a claylike consistency. Use your hands to create a ball with the soil. Squeeze excess water out as you form the ball.
3. Place the ball of soil on your sheet moss. Hold the ball gently in your hands while using your thumbs to create a hole in the top of the ball where you are going to plant your succulent.

   

4. Plant your succulent in the top of the ball of soil.

   

5. Wrap your sheet moss around the ball.

   

6. Tuck the moss under the plant’s lowest leaves.

   

7. If your circle is too big and you have too much moss, simply cut away the surplus until the moss fits neatly under the leaves at the top.
8. Take your string and begin wrapping the ball in any direction. Your goal is simply to keep the moss together with the soil ball, but you can make it look any way you like aesthetically! Get creative with the way you wrap your moss ball. You can use any color string, rope, twine, yarn, or even leather. Make sure to leave at least 12 inches of string at the beginning and enough string at the end that you can tie the two ends together for hanging once your ball is completely wrapped.

   

9. Cut the string with your scissors and tie the ends together. Now find a place to hang your kokedama.

CARE INSTRUCTIONS

Hang your kokedama in bright indirect sunlight and soak the ball in water when the soil is dry.