How to make a kokedama

Phil Aynsley

Creating a garden on a verandah or balcony usually involves potted plants at ground level. To make more of limited space, you can elevate a few through the art of kokedama making. These marvellous mossy makes can carry a variety of plants, including bromeliads, orchids and succulents. And for added colour, you can bind them with colourful twine. So kokedama do!

Gather your supplies

Peat moss (see Note, below)
Seed-raising mix (see Note, below)
Sphagnum moss
Natural twine (or coloured brickline string)
Gasteria plant

You’ll also need

2 plastic tubs; scissors; 2 small stainless steel bowls (about 20cm dia.)

Note You’ll need ½ cup each of peat moss and seed-raising mix per kokedama.

Here’s how

Step 1 To create growing mixture, combine equal parts peat moss and seed-raising mix in a tub. Add enough water so mixture holds shape when handling. Squeeze out excess water before using.

Step 2 Soak sphagnum moss in separate tub filled with water. Squeeze out excess water before using.

Phil Aynsley

Step 3 Cut 2 pieces of twine, each 40cm long. Lay pieces across 1 small stainless steel bowl so pieces cross in centre of bowl and ends hang over the bowl.

Phil Aynsley

Step 4 Line bowl with sphagnum moss, about 2cm thick, pressing into the string.

Phil Aynsley

Step 5 Place ½ cup of growing mixture in centre of bowl, keeping edges clear.

Phil Aynsley

Step 6 Remove plant from pot. Gently remove excess soil from roots and discard soil.

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Step 7 Position plant in centre of lining and add further ½ cup growing mixture around base to secure plant.

Phil Aynsley

Step 8 Shape top part of ball with sphagnum moss to finish off lining and cover all growing mixture.

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Step 9 Tie off both strings with a double knot at base of plant.

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Step 10 Turn kokedama out of bowl.

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Step 11 Tie on a new string (do not cut) and wind around ball a number of times until it is evenly distributed around moss. Tie off. Leave about 1m of twine (for hanger) and tie off directly opposite the first tie. Cut string.