Sphagnum moss

Want to learn more about Sphagnum moss

Get individual care schedule and reminders for your plant with our app Planta. Never kill a plant again!

Sphagnum is a genus of several different species of mosses. The Sphagnum moss we're talking about is collected from still-living moss on the surface of bogs and wetlands, then thoroughly dried out and ultimately packed and sold.

The Sphagnum peat moss that you can also find at stores is what's found underneath the Sphagnum moss and is composed of dead plants, sphagnum and other decayed organic matter. Sphagnum peat moss has a pH of 2 and is not suitable for your current plants.

Sphagnum moss is often found in smaller bags at garden centers and pet stores that sell terrarium supplies. You can also find living Sphagnum moss at well-assorted stores.

Sphagnum can be used on its own or used as a soil amendment.

How to use

When repotting, first soak the moss in water. Once soaked, squeeze the excess water out, leaving a damp medium to work with. Grab a big wad of moss and make a loose ball and place it in the pot.
Then center your plant and fill up with sphagnum moss around it. Just make sure that you don’t compact the sphagnum too densely in the pot, providing for proper air circulation and better water absorption.
As sphagnum moss retains both water and fertilizer and keeps them for some time before releasing them into the medium again, you'll need to be very careful of how much fertilizer you add to your plants. Dilute it by half the recommended dose.