The Japanese art of kokedama

Kokedama (simply translated as moss balls) are becoming big in the world of indoor plants. But don’t be fooled by their intricate appearance – these hanging string gardens are super easy to make.

You will need

• A small potted plant
• 7:3 ratio of peat and potting mix
• Bowl for mixing soil
• Clear string
• Moss or coconut fibre
• Sphagnum moss
• A bucket of water
• Scissors
• Spreay bottle with water

Method:

Remove the plant from its pot and shake away the excess soil to expose the roots. You may also have to trim the roots.

Combine the peat and potting mix, adding enough water until it becomes a consistency where you can shape it into a small ball. Make sure the ball is big enough to contain the roots of your plant.

Break soil ball in half and insert plant into the ball, adding more of the soil mix if necessary. Lay pieces of string across a bowl, cutting lengths long enough to wrap around the soil ball and plant.

You can use moss or coconut fibre depending on your preference to cover the soil. Line the inside of the moss or coconut fibre with sphagnum moss to help retain moisture in the soil. Gather the outer layer of moss or coconut fibre up around the plant and begin to wrap and tie strings around the ball.

Once the basic ball structure is secured, it is time to bind it together by continuing to wrap with string. This is easier achieved with two people – one holds the ball, while the other winds the string around the ball, making sure to leave enough room at the top for the plant to breathe. Tie off the string at the top of the plant, so it will hang upright.

Once you’ve made your kokedama, soak the ball in a bucket of water for about 5-10 minutes. Wipe off excess moisture, and then it’s ready to hang. Keep your kokedama hydrated by spritzing with a spray bottle once a day.