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. |