Garden Houseplants How to Make a Kokedama—a Natural Moss Ball Planter for Your Houseplants Kokedama is a popular Japanese planting method that is easy to do at home. By Madeline Buiano Madeline Buiano Madeline Buiano is an associate editor at MarthaStewart.com, sharing her knowledge on a range of topics—from gardening and cleaning to home and pets. She has five years of writing and editing experience in the digital publishing industry. Editorial Guidelines Published on May 27, 2024 Close Photo: Ekaterina Goncharova / Getty Images Kokedama is a Japanese gardening technique that involves wrapping a plant in moss instead of placing it in a pot. The result? A plant that look as if it was plucked right from the ground and put on display in your home. What's more, kokedama takes up less space than traditional pots and it can be strung up to make a hanging plant. While kokedama may look intimidating, making one is actually quite simple. To help you create this beautiful natural planter, we're sharing step-by-step visuals that will teach you how to make a kokedama using just a few materials. Hanna Kolaks, horticulturist for Missouri Botanical Garden, the nation's oldest botanical garden in continuous operation and a National Historic Landmark. Bryan Gardner How to Make a Terrarium—and Help Your Miniature Ecosystem Thrive What You'll Need Materials Floral wire, 26 gauge Scissors Bowl Sheet moss Potting soil Plant Fishing filament Instructions Prepare wires: Bryan Gardner Cut a 20-inch length of wire. Unravel 20 more inches from spool, leaving wire attached. Twist loose piece around center of attached piece to form an X; lay across bowl. Line bowl with moss: Bryan Gardner Place a large piece of moss over wires and press down into bowl to make room for plant. Add a handful of soil. Wrap plant: Bryan Gardner Set plant in bowl’s center. Tie ends of cut wire at top of root ball. Lift plant and moss out of bowl. Continue winding spooled wire around moss until secure. Cut wire; tuck into moss. Display by hanging with filament or placing in dish. Best Plants for a Kokedama Most houseplants can be turned into kokedama, but it's best to choose ones that match your specific growing conditions. "If you have little light, plants like pothos (Epipremnum aureum) or snake plants (Sansevieria spp.) may be your best bet," says Hanna Kolaks, horticulturist for Missouri Botanical Garden. "If you have a lot of light, then that opens up more possibilities, such as philodendrons and peperomias. Make sure you know the watering needs for the plant you choose so you can water accordingly." How to Care for a Kokedama You will need to water the kokedama periodically. "Simply set the moss ball in a bowl of water and allow it to 'drink' up the water for 5 to 10 minutes as needed then remove it and place it back in its normal place," says Kolaks. "The kokedama should be noticeably heavier after watering." Water once you notice it is becoming lighter, but be sure to follow the plant's individual care needs as some like a drier medium. Light requirements will fully depend on the actual plant's requirements, though many houseplants appreciate bright, indirect light, says Kolaks. Keep in mind that the moss will dry out more quickly if it's in direct light.