The Art of Kokedama

In Japan, kokedama is a popular garden art form that sprung from the art of bonsai. This art form is not as complicated as bonsai and literally means ‘moss balls’, yet it is very effective, especially when many are grouped together. You only need a few things to get started on your own kokedama collection.

What you will need:

• Shade-loving or indoor plant (we used Asparagus setaceus or asparagus fern) Sphagnum moss
• Twine
• Scissors

How to make your kokedama

1. Remove the plant from the pot and take off a bit of the excess soil. Use this soil to reform the soil around the roots into a ball.
2. Wet the sphagnum moss and start placing it onto the soil ball, while securing it with twine. Keep adding sphagnum moss and tying it down until the plant’s roots and the soil are covered.
3. Tie the two ends of twine in a secure knot.
4. Shape the finished ball with your hands to get it rounded.

Watering and feeding

Your kokedama will need to be watered at least once a week. A simple trick to tell if it needs water is to test the weight – when it’s light, it needs water. To water, submerge the kokedama in a container filled with water and let it sit for 10 minutes. Every two weeks add a liquid fertiliser to the water bath in the ratio indicated on the packaging. Keep a spray bottle with water close by and mist regularly on hot days.