Best Plants for Kokedama

Plant Type Examples Light Needs Watering Needs
Ferns Maidenhair, Bird’s Nest, Staghorn Low to Medium High
Pothos & Philodendron Golden Pothos, Heartleaf Philodendron Low to Bright, Indirect Medium
Spider Plants Chlorophytum comosum Bright, Indirect Medium
Orchids Phalaenopsis Bright, Indirect Low to Medium
Herbs Mint, Basil, Rosemary Bright, Direct High

Kokedama Soil Mix Recipes

Recipe Name Ingredients Best For
Classic Mix 7 parts Peat Moss, 3 parts Bonsai Soil (Akadama) Most houseplants. Retains water well.
Moisture-Loving 5 parts Peat Moss, 4 parts Potting Soil, 1 part Bentonite Clay Ferns and other thirsty plants.
Succulent Mix 4 parts Potting Soil, 5 parts Perlite, 1 part Sand Succulents and cacti. Drains quickly.

Essential Materials

Material Purpose Notes
Sheet Moss Forms the outer layer of the Kokedama. Preserved or live sphagnum moss works well.
Twine/String Binds the moss ball together. Jute, cotton, or fishing line.
Scissors To cut moss and twine. -
Mixing Bowl To mix the soil. -
Water To moisten the soil mix. -

Step-by-Step Kokedama Assembly

Step # Action Notes
1 Prepare your plant. Gently remove most of the soil from the roots.
2 Mix your soil. Add water slowly until it holds together in a ball.
3 Form the soil ball. Split the ball in half, place roots inside, and reform the ball.
4 Wrap with sheet moss. Cover the entire soil ball with a layer of moss.
5 Wrap with twine. Start by wrapping horizontally, then crisscross in all directions.
6 Secure the twine. Tie a tight knot and trim the excess.
7 Water your Kokedama. Submerge the ball in water for 10-20 minutes.

Watering Your Kokedama

Method How to Do It Frequency
Soaking Submerge the moss ball in a bowl of water for 10-20 minutes. When the ball feels light and dry.
Misting Spray the moss and plant leaves with water. Daily, especially for humidity-loving plants.

How to know when to water: The easiest way is by weight. A dry Kokedama will feel very light. A well-watered one will be heavy and saturated.

Common Problems & Solutions

Problem Possible Cause Solution
Brown, Crispy Leaves Under-watering or low humidity. Water more frequently, mist daily.
Yellow Leaves Over-watering. Allow the ball to dry out more between waterings.
Mold on Moss Poor air circulation, too wet. Increase air flow, water less. Can be treated with a fungicide.
Ball Falling Apart Not wrapped tightly enough. Re-wrap with more twine, ensuring it’s secure.