Gardening Landscaping Lawn Care

How to Grow a Moss Lawn: Benefits, Disadvantages & Tips

The Sustainable Lush Green Alternative to Turfgrass

Moss lawn

Johann Kraftner / Getty Images

If you are looking for an alternative to conventional turf, consider a moss lawn. Moss has been an integral element of Japanese garden design for centuries. Meanwhile, in the rest of the world, the Zen-like look of moss gardening is uncommon. This is a pity because a lush, moss-green carpet can grow just about anywhere except in arid environments. It can also thrive as a groundcover in many places where turfgrass is difficult to establish and maintain, such as steep hillsides.

It's important to weigh the pros and cons of moss lawns when compared to turfgrass lawns. Find out whether a moss lawn is right for you, and what’s involved in growing and caring for it.

What Is a Moss Lawn?

A moss lawn is a dense stand of moss, a low-growing plant. Mosses don’t have a vascular system of roots, as do other plants; they absorb water and nutrients through their leaves. They grow slowly and are propagated through the production of spores, not by seeds.

Contrary to popular belief, you can step on a moss lawn. Most mosses withstand light foot traffic. Right after the moss lawn is installed, it is recommended to walk or sit on it to help the moss attach to the soil. For heavy foot traffic across a moss lawn, it is better to add a walkway or stepping stones.

Walking on a moss lawn feels different from walking on a grass lawn. While moss is soft, the surface feels slightly uneven and spongy, unlike a mowed lawn where all the grass blades are cut to the same height.

Tip

Patches of moss in turfgrass usually show up in areas that are shady and damp and they are generally viewed as a nuisance. While there are ways to remove moss from your lawn and prevent it from growing, try making a virtue out of necessity and turn these problem areas of your turfgrass lawn into a beautiful moss lawn.

The Benefits of a Moss Lawn

Once established, a moss lawn has several advantages over turfgrass, most of which fall into the low-maintenance category.

  • As moss is short, under 4 inches, it does not require mowing. This not only saves you time, but it is also more sustainable—no use of fossil fuel, and no air and noise pollution from a lawn mower.
  • Moss can grow in poor soil, which makes fertilizer unnecessary to keep it healthy. It is also unbothered by pests so you can also cut out the pesticides. Wildlife generally leaves mosses alone.
  • Moss does well in difficult conditions such as compacted or rocky soil, or on slopes and steep hillsides where turf would be easily washed out by erosion. Moss is often the planting of choice for erosion control.
  • A moss lawn is lush green when the leaves, which absorb water and nutrients, are well-hydrated. However, once mosses are established, their water needs are low. Mosses don’t need irrigation to survive, even in arid conditions. In periods of dryness, they go dormant. And when there is a sudden heavy downpour, they soak up all the water they can.

Disadvantages of a Moss Lawn

While there are many mistaken assumptions about the drawbacks of moss lawns, it's indisputable that this plant has some disadvantages over turfgrass when used as lawn ground cover.

  • Most moss species prefer relatively shady conditions, and if you have a sunny lawn, it may be difficult to find a moss suitable for your region that performs well on a lawn.
  • Moss, while not as tender as most people think, is by no means as durable as a turfgrass lawn—especially a grass lawn planted with species aimed at holding up under heavy foot traffic or an active family that enjoys outdoor games, or one that has dogs that spend a lot of time in the yard.
  • Moss lawns grow best in acidic soil, where the pH is 6.0 or lower. If you live in an area with alkaline soil, growing moss may be difficult or impossible unless you first perform extensive soil amendment with a material that lowers the soil pH.
  • Moss lawns need to be kept relatively clean of fallen leaves and other debris. This can be done with a bagging lawnmower, but it does add extra maintenance steps as moss does not need to be mowed in the traditional fashion.
  • Live mosses for landscaping are not as readily available as grass seed, so moss is normally planted from flats of live moss. The moss can be ordered from online retailers, however, the cost of a moss lawn is almost always considerably more than that of a turfgrass lawn.

Find the Right Site for a Moss Lawn

Moss lawns are more expensive than sowing grass seed or laying sod for a lawn. To make sure your investment will last, it is crucial to select the right site for a moss lawn.

The first step is to identify the microclimates in your yard. What is the sun exposure in the different areas? Are there deciduous trees or evergreens that cast shade, how densely, and at what time of the year? Does your yard have any moist, shady spots? Also pay attention to wind exposure, as wind can dry out the soil.

Growing mosses is not difficult but if you’ve never grown mosses, a gradual approach might be the wisest. Start with a corner of your yard, select moss species that are suitable for sun exposure, and see how they do for a season or so before trying to grow a full-scale moss lawn.

Moss lawn

J. Paul Moore / The Magical World of Moss Gardening

How to Choose Mosses

As with all other plants, sun exposure is crucial when selecting the right moss for a location. Mosses are commonly associated with growing in shady locations but some species grow in sun or partial sun.

The other important consideration when selecting a moss is the growth habit. Bryum caespiticium, also known as sidewalk moss, for example, is a sun-tolerant moss but it grows in clumps so it is less suitable for a lawn if you desire a carpet-like, even surface.

Here are a few select mosses for lawns in different light conditions:

  • Atrichum angustatum (star moss, slender starburst moss, lesser smoothcap moss): Compact, low-growing moss that can grow in the shade but prefers sun or partial shade/partial sun.
  • Atrichum undulatum (big star moss, Catherine’s moss, crane’s bill moss, crown moss, starburst moss): Prefers shade but can grow in partial shade/partial sun; needs moist soil and shrivels up when dry.
  • Climacium americanum (tree moss): Grows in deep shade as well as partial sun, ideal for waterlogged areas or storm water run-off. One of the taller mosses, growing 4 to 5 inches tall.
  • Dicranum scoparium (mood moss, windswept moss, broom moss, footstool moss, rock cap moss): Dense, soft, brilliant green moss that grows in shade and partial shade and can tolerate drier areas. It prefers acidic soil.
  • Hypnum imponens (sheet moss, feather moss): Low-growing moss that does best in shade but can also grow in partial sun. It can withstand light to medium foot traffic.
  • Leucobryum albidum (pincushion moss): A versatile moss that grows in shade, sun, and partial shade/partial sun, and in a wide range of temperature and soil conditions.
  • Leucobryum glaucum (cushion moss, white moss): Moss with a round cushion shape that does well in shade and can tolerate morning sun. It prefers sandy soil. Its light blue/green color gets a silvery-white cast when dry.
  • Polytrichum commune (haircap moss, awned haircap moss, blue moss, blue hairy cap): A versatile moss that grows in shade, sun, and partial shade/partial sun. Good for erosion control on slopes.
  • Thuidium delicatulum (fern moss): Moss with fronds that grows in shade and partial shade and prefers wetter locations. Good for erosion control on slopes.
  • Sphagnum spp. Sphagnum mosses are the largest of the mosses and come in a range of colors; usually found in temperate zones they thrive in very wet areas.
Fern moss (Thuidium delicatulum)

Holcy / Getty Images

Tip

There are companies specializing in live moss, such as Mountain Moss in North Carolina and Moss Acres in Pennsylvania. Mosses for lawns can be mail-ordered and are usually sold in trays or by square foot.

Cushion moss (Leucobryum glaucum)

Ed Reschke / Getty Images

How to Plant and Grow a Moss Lawn

1. Check the Soil Acidity

Most mosses prefer acidic soil between a pH of 5.0 and 5.5. To make sure the soil pH is within that level, do a soil pH test of the intended planting area. If you are turning a turfgrass lawn into a moss lawn chances are that the soil pH is too alkaline for moss. In that case, you need to acidify the soil by adding compost, manure, or another soil acidifier.

2. Prepare the Soil

After checking and adjusting the pH, clear the area of any weeds, plant residue, and other debris. Turn over the soil, then level and rake it. The surface should be firm but still have some texture, which helps the moss make good contact with the soil.

3. Plant

Water the planting area well to the point where it’s soaked but without puddles of standing water. If the moss is extremely dry, soak it in a bucket of water or a kid’s pool until is it rehydrated. If the moss is green and looks alive, there is no need to soak it.

Moss has no roots so it is not planted in the soil but just placed on top. Press the moss into the soil and secure it with landscaping pins. Light, slow, flat-footed walking on newly laid moss from time to time can also help it establish but make sure that you do not dislodge the patches. Water the planting area thoroughly and keep it constantly moist for the first four to six weeks until the moss is established or when it doesn't detach from the soil when you try to gently lift it.

A misting system waters new moss on a forest hillside.

Annie Martin / MountainMoss.com

Care and Maintenance 

After moss is established, it will not need regular watering. Even in periods of no precipitation, moss absorbs moisture from the air. In extended periods of dry weather, if the moss starts to look excessively dry, you can rehydrate it with a sprinkler or a mister for a few minutes a couple of times per day until you see the moss change to a more vibrant color.

In the early stages before the moss forms a dense carpet, weeds are likely to grow in your moss lawn. Pull any weeds gently by hand as soon as they emerge. If you let weeds take hold, removing them can damage the moss carpet. Moss does not respond well to herbicides so manual weeding is the way to go.

The only other maintenance required for a moss lawn is to remove any leaves in the fall that can mold and rot and deprive the moss of light.

A moss lawn does not require fertilization. Changes in the moss color are seasonal or due to moisture levels and are perfectly normal. Unlike in grass and other vascular plants, color changes are not a sign of nutrient deficiency.

FAQ
  • Is moss lawn expensive?

    Yes, a moss lawn is more expensive to install than a lawn. However, the initial investment pays off because once a moss lawn is established, it requires much less upkeep, maintenance, and is more sustainable than turfgrass.

  • Are moss lawns safe for dogs?

    Yes, moss lawns are non-toxic and safe for dogs. Many pet owners prefer this grass alternative as it makes for easier cleanup of animal waste.

  • Can I rake a moss lawn?

    No, you should not rake a moss lawn. Moss lawns are very low-maintenance and do not need to be mowed or raked. To remove any leaves on your moss lawn, use a leaf blower or pick up the debris by hand.

The Spruce uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
  1. The Benefits and Ecology of a Moss Lawn. Clackamas Soil and Water Conservation District.

  2. Moss in the Landscape. University of Maryland Extension

  3. Irish moss | ASPCA.