Originating in Japan, "Kokedama" translates directly to "moss ball". It grows out of two older Japanese traditions – nearai, a bonsai style where the plant is displayed without a pot, and kusamono planting – and involves wrapping a plant's root system in a sphere of soil, covering it with moss and binding it with string. They are incredibly versatile and are traditionally used as decorative tabletop centrepieces or strung up in front of windows to create magical, floating string gardens.
Making your own Kokedama is a fun, mindful and creative way to display your plants. Not only do they save space by eliminating the need for bulky pots, but they also bring a beautiful, earthy texture into your home and make fantastic, personalised gifts for friends and family.
What You'll Need
We've swapped the traditional moss for coconut fibre here, which is easier to get hold of and holds its shape well. To make your very own Kokedama, you will need the following supplies:
- A leafy green plant (small indoor varieties work best)
- Coconut fibre
- Coir peat
- Clay-based soil (clay helps the ball hold its shape)
- Twine or string
Soil Preparation
To prepare the soil, combine your coir peat and clay-based soil, then add a splash of water. You are looking for a thick, dough-like consistency so that the mixture holds together well.
Preparing Your Plant
Remove your plant from its original pot and gently massage the roots to loosen the old soil.
Form The Soil Ball
Carefully form your damp soil mixture into a ball around the plant's root base. Take your time with this step, making sure you don't damage the roots as you shape the sphere.
Wrapping The Ball
Lay out your coconut fibre flat on a table. Carefully place your soil ball in the centre and fold the fibre up around the ball, ensuring you cover up all of the soil as you go.
Binding It Together
Take your twine and wind it tightly around the ball as many times as necessary to hold everything in place. You can be as neat and uniform or as rustic as you like! Start close to the base of the plant and work your way around, wrapping over any exposed soil. Once secure, tie off your string. If you want to hang your Kokedama, leave a long loop when you tie the final knot.
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Kokedama Care Guide
Taking care of your new living art is much easier than it looks. Here is how to keep it thriving:
- Watering: You will know when your Kokedama needs a drink because the soil ball will feel surprisingly light. When this happens, simply submerge the ball in a bucket or bowl of room-temperature water for 5 to 10 minutes. Let it drip-dry in the sink before hanging it back up.
- Lighting: Position your plant in a spot that receives bright, indirect sunlight. Harsh, direct sun can dry out the coconut fibre too quickly and scorch the leaves. Plants that tolerate medium shade are the safest choice.
- Feeding: During the growing season (spring and summer), you can add a half-strength liquid indoor plant fertiliser to your soaking water once a month.
This simple technique can be adapted for a wide variety of indoor and outdoor plants, allowing you to create beautiful, natural displays.
Have you decided which plant you are going to wrap first?
Video & Photographs by Joy McDonald
