“Patching Moss” and “Inserting Moss”

Hello, this is Moss Para.
Today, I would like to talk about how to make moss terrariums.

It is currently August 2025, right in the middle of summer vacation.
Events are being held everywhere, and I have been seeing signs for "moss terrarium workshops" outdoors quite often.

I think it is a good thing that they are becoming popular.
However, if a workshop does not have "correct knowledge about moss," the way the moss terrarium grows afterward will change significantly.

There are no certifications for moss terrariums.
Anyone can call themselves a "creator" if they make something using moss, regardless of the method.
Charging 3,000 yen just for placing moss into a cheap bottle without any knowledge of moss, using "moss stolen from someone's mountain without permission"...
While it is good that moss terrariums are becoming popular, as the denominator increases, it becomes a chaotic industry where anything goes.

That said, I don't think workshops that confuse customers with maniacal knowledge and difficult terminology are the right approach either.
I want people to enjoy making moss terrariums more, and to know the joy of not just making them, but also growing them.
And I want them to share that joy by posting about it on social media.
For that, I have a desire for people to learn about moss.

This time, as one of the charms of making and growing moss terrariums, I will write about how to "insert" moss, which is a method for creating moss terrariums that can be enjoyed beautifully for a long time.

There are two ways to plant moss: "patching moss" and "inserting moss."
As the name suggests, patching moss is a method of applying moss in patches.
Inserting moss involves inserting the moss one piece at a time.
Both have their pros and cons, and neither can be said to be bad.

"Patching moss" is where you place clumps of moss here and there.
This is the mainstream method overseas.

• Pros: It is very easy. Since you use the moss colony as it is, it looks beautiful.

• Cons: The moss is prone to damage as it grows. In fact, it often does not grow at all.

When making a large terrarium, you cannot spend time inserting moss bit by bit, so sometimes the patching moss method is used.

I get the impression that creators who hold low-cost workshops use the patching moss method.
After all, it takes too much time to insert moss bit by bit.
If you are selling small, inexpensive moss terrariums based on speed, I think patching moss is the way to go.

This is an overseas moss terrarium. It is beautifully made, but I am concerned about the growth process. I think diligent observation and maintenance are necessary.

Next is inserting moss.
With inserting moss, you plant each piece little by little.
This is the mainstream method in Japan, and all well-known moss terrarium creators make their terrariums using "inserting moss."

• Pros: It can grow into a beautiful shape when it matures. You can plant it precisely where you like. You can take your time and make it slowly.

• Cons: Inserting moss might require a certain level of technique or finger dexterity.

The moss terrariums that you see on Instagram or social media and think "that's beautiful" are often made using the inserting moss method.

I often hear opinions like 'that's patching moss, so it's unorthodox' or 'inserting moss is too difficult for beginners,' but neither is inherently better or worse than the other.

However, I cannot really support workshops that fail to provide lectures on subsequent care methods or that use moss clearly unsuited for terrariums.

For example, trying to put moss that prefers dry conditions, like Hypnum moss or Racomitrium moss, into a sealed terrarium, using moss that anyone can see is dead while claiming 'it will revive!', or giving incorrect advice for open terrariums such as 'you only need to mist it once a month!'

Recently, even when looking at information on social media and the internet, there are many workshops popping up where I think, 'that is clearly wrong.'
I want people to grow beautiful moss terrariums.
As a creator, I will continue to firmly disseminate correct knowledge.
And I hope you will take workshops under creators who have beautiful, well-grown moss terrariums.

If you are going to make a moss terrarium, 'Michikusa Channel' is the gateway and the gold standard (I'm not a shill for Michikusa!).
In this short video, they also demonstrate how to insert moss.

I think it is necessary not only to learn correct knowledge but also to have the mindset to scrutinize incorrect information.
Mosspara will also continue to share information on the platform called note.
This was Mosspara.