Kokedama Art- How to make your house beautiful with this Japanese art

Kokedama is a very popular form of art in Japanese gardens and recently has started its rage in India as well. Recently during my visit to a popular and very posh nursery here in Bangalore I came across Kokedama and its beauty. Initially, I was quite cagey about investing money in it. But after much reading and research, I came across how it’s easy to maintain and make as well. Today in this post I will be sharing everything related to Kokedama. Let’s deep dive then.

What is Kokedama?

Kokedama is an art of growing plants primarily famous in Japanese homes. It’s basically a ball of soil covered with moss on which ornamental plants are grown. It is also called poor mans bonsai. It’s made of wet soil and cocopeat formed into a ball. The plant is set into the ball and afterward, the moss is wrapped around. Aluminum wire or nylon wire fixes the whole bundle and is sometimes used to suspend the Kokedama in the air.

Tips on making Kokedama Moss ball?

There is specially made soil available in the market for Kokedama. You can purchase bonsai soil or make your own mixture of clay and 15 percent peat moss as a base for the Japanese moss ball.

Whether you’re using potted plants or outdoor plants for your Kokedama, the first step is to remove the plants by their roots. Gently remove the soil from the roots and then take a chunk of soil and moss in your hands. Roll the soil in a thick and firm ball. Make a ball big enough to completely cover the roots of the plants.

Once you are done with making a ball, it’s time to wrap the moss around the plant’s roots several times until the roots are covered completely. Then, wrap some twine around the plant’s roots to secure them. Wrap twine around the ball as needed to secure the sheet moss. Tightly circle the twine around the ball until everything holds together. You should be able to lift and move your ball without soil or moss spilling.

For better understanding check this video given below

Which plants are best for Kokedama?

Many tropical jungle plants are suitable for the project, as well as ferns, lucky bamboo, or even ivy. Avoid any succulents and cacti, as the soil ball will remain too moist for these types of plants.

How to care for Kokedama?

Every day you should lightly mist your plant with a spray bottle. You could also place the Kokedama ball in a tray of pebbles and water underneath the plant to add necessary humidity. Ideally, the Kokedama plant needs to be soaked in a water bowl at room temperature for 10 minutes. Later drain the ball by hanging it somewhere till it stops dripping. You need to water the Kokedama plant when you see the ball has become light and leaves are turning brown.

As the plants start to grow bigger roots will start poking out of the ball and this is a sign that it needed to be repotted into a bigger moss ball or in a pot as per your wish. Although you don’t have to worry about repotting at least once a year.

Hope you liked the idea of this new art form to decorate your balcony garden and indoors as well.

This post is part of the Blogchatter A2Z challenge.

All the images used in this post are taken from google and do not belong to me. I thank each and every website from where I have taken these.

Read other posts from A2Z here 

Copyright Notice

Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s author (owner) is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Rakhi Parsai (Lifethrumyeyes) with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Stay connected with us on Facebook | Instagram | Twitter