Kokedama, simply translated means “moss ball” and is a Japanese bonsai technique where plants are bound in soil and moss. Sometimes referred to as string gardens, we love kokedama for their ability to be displayed in many different ways such as sitting on a windowsill or table, suspended from the ceiling or hung inside a window, or resting in a favorite dish. Our team of plant designers has been making kokedama for many years now and we think they are a fun and simple plant DIY that we are excited to share with you.
Materials Needed:
- Plant
Instructions:
Step 1: Gather all of your materials and a pair of scissors onto your work surface and prepare to make a mess! Be sure to water your plant if it’s dry.
Step 2: Remove your chosen plant from its plastic growers pot by placing one hand at the base of the plant and gently pulling while squeezing the pot with your other hand. Gently massage the roots of the plant to remove its soil.
Step 3: Open up and place your piece of remay cloth flat on your work surface. Pour your kokedama soil into a bowl and add enough water for the soil to come together and hold shape. Grab a handful of your Kokedama soil and form into a ball, squeezing out any excess water.
Step 4: Split your ball of kokedama soil into two parts and place the roots of your plant in between the two halves, reshaping into a ball around the plant, making sure that the entire root system is enclosed in the soil mixture.
Step 5: Pull the sides of your remay cloth up tightly around the ball of soil. Secure your cloth bound soil using the piece of twine being careful not to break the leaves or stems of your plant. Trim excess cloth and twine.
Step 6: Grab your sphagnum moss and wrap to cover the entire root ball. Then, using the nylon string, wrap one end around the moss ball and tie tightly using a double knot. Holding the moss ball in one hand begin wrapping by circling with the nylon string vertically, horizontally, and diagonally. Be sure to hold the string taut when wrapping to ensure that the moss is held in place. Tie the string off onto itself and secure with a double knot.
You did it! Now stand back and admire your work. You can display your finished kokedama sitting on a windowsill or table or resting in a favorite dish. If you would like to hang your kokedama you can tie each end of a piece of nylon string to the string your kokedama was bound with. Water your kokedama by soaking the moss ball for 20 minutes in a bowl of water. The frequency of watering will be specific to the plant you chose.
