Preserved Moss Art

Looking to bring a touch of greenery into your home without sacrificing precious floor space? Preserved moss art is the perfect solution! Unlike living moss walls, preserved moss is natural but no longer alive, so it doesn’t require irrigation, sunlight, or any complex maintenance. It’s a fun, creative project that adds a unique, natural element to your decor. It's also a great project for winter when you don't want to be outside.

Source Your Materials

When it comes to moss art, choosing the right types of moss and balancing them effectively can make all the difference. Here’s a quick guide to the most commonly used moss varieties and how to allocate them in your design:

• Pillow Moss: This moss has a rounded, cushion-like appearance that adds texture and volume to your art. This is a good "background" moss, as it takes up lots of space.

• Sheet Moss: This moss has a flat, dense texture, making it ideal for covering large areas or creating a uniform background.

• Reindeer Moss: Known for its vibrant colors and spongy texture, reindeer moss is available in a range of dyed shades. It's by far the easiest moss to work with.

• Spanish Moss: A long, wispy moss that drapes beautifully, Spanish moss is great for creating flow and movement in your design.

• Lichen: Lichen comes in various shapes and muted tones, adding a natural, earthy element to your piece.

• Air plants: I think adding in air plants like Tillandsia is a great way to take moss art to the next level.

  
  

Rule of Thumb for Moss Amounts

After experimenting with different concepts, I found that the best balance for moss art is:

• 40% of the space dedicated to sheet and pillow moss in a consistent color. This creates a cohesive base and adds texture.

• 50% of the space filled with reindeer moss in 2-3 shades of green. This provides variety and depth while maintaining a natural look. I found it look better to do larger patches of a consistent colour rather than having it be totally motley.

• 10% of the space used for accents like exotic-colored reindeer moss, lichen, Spanish moss, and air plants. These finishing touches add character and make the design stand out.

In Australia, finding a good variety can be challenging, as many suppliers import their stock. I ended up ordering way too much from Amazon to get the level of variety I wanted. If I were to do this over, I'd try to do this with friends and consider splitting a bulk order to save costs and reduce leftovers.

Choosing the Right Frame

The frame is a crucial part of your moss art, as it provides the structure and depth needed for the design. When selecting a frame:

• Opt for a frame with a solid wooden back to provide stability and support for the moss and air plants.

• Ensure the sides of the frame create a recess of at least 3 cm. This depth allows your moss to sit securely and gives your design added dimension.

• While I used a ready-made frame from an art supplies shop, building your own can be a cost-effective option and lets you customize the size and depth to suit your needs.

  
  

Steps to Create Your Moss Art

1. Source Your Materials Gathering your materials is the first step, and finding moss can be a bit tricky. I ended up ordering a variety of mosses from overseas through Amazon, as local options were limited. If you’re doing this with friends, consider pooling your resources to share costs and avoid leftover moss.

   
   

2. Prepare the Frame If you’re using a wooden frame from an art supplies shop like I did, it will probably be a basic pine board frame. You can enhance its look by staining it with interior stain. I used a basic walnut interior stain and it instantly made the whole project look more elegant. Allow the stain to dry completely before moving on.

   
   

3. Plan Your Design Lay out your moss and air plants on the frame to get a sense of how you want the final piece to look. Play around with different arrangements until you’re happy with the design.
   

   

   I placed my moss vaguely where I wanted to put it to get a feel for the design

4. Use cardboard to create different levels I personally think moss art looks best when the most isn't a uniform height, and you have variable depth within the frame. I used cardboard cut-outs to create areas within the frame that were significantly higher than the base board.

   
   

5. Attach the Moss Once your design is finalized, use a glue gun to secure the moss to the cardboard base. Work in sections, carefully placing each type of moss to match your layout.
   

6. Add the Air Plants Finally, add the tillandsia air plants as finishing touches. These plants don’t require soil, making them perfect for this type of project. Simply tuck them into the moss. I found it was pretty easy for them to stay in without the need for glue, which also means I can easily remove them and dunk them in some water every 4-6 months.
   

Time and Cost

This project took me about half a day to complete. Here’s a breakdown of the costs:

• Moss: $170 AUD

• Frame: $80 AUD

• Other materials: Already on hand

Tips and Tricks for Success

• Sourcing Moss: Buying moss was the most challenging part. Most suppliers import it into Australia, which drives up costs. To save money, consider splitting a bulk order with friends.

• Frame Options: I used a ready-made frame, but making your own could significantly reduce costs.

• Leftover Moss: If you end up with extra moss, use it for other DIY projects or share it with friends.

• Care Tips:

  • Avoid getting water on the moss, as it’s dyed and water can cause the colors to run.

  • Keep your moss art out of direct sunlight, as the colors will fade over time.

  • While the moss is preserved and maintenance-free, air plants do require occasional care. Remove them from the frame every now and then and dunk them in water to keep them healthy.