KOKEDAMA | PLANT CARE GUIDE
Originating from Japan, Kokedama (or "moss ball") are a variation of the more traditional bonsai, using soil, moss and twine to create a potless plant display.
There is something almost meditative about creating Kokedama, from selecting just the right plant, to using both hands to plant and wrap the twine around. And seeing each new Kokedama creation come to life brings an incredible amount of joy.
View our Kokedama Collection here.
Difficulty Level: Low to Moderate
Kokedama are relatively easy to care for. The key is to provide the right type of care for the plant you have chosen and the specific ambient environment in the space where you choose to place your moss ball.
Light: Low to Bright
The light requirements of your Kokedama really depend on the plant type. But for the majority of Coastal Eden Kokedama, your Kokedama will be happy in bright natural light indoors, out of direct sunlight.
Water: Low to Moderate
Weight is a great way to tell if your Kokedama needs watering. Simply lift the moss ball in your hand - if the ball feels light, watering is needed. Ambient environmental conditions will also guide watering frequency - generally you will need to water more frequently in summer and less so in winter.
Also look to your plants to guide your watering regime too, because they will give you signs of being thirsty, such as their leaves drooping or curling up.
The more commonly known method of watering is to place the Kokedama into a bucket or sink filled with room temperature water, allowing the water to saturate the moss ball. Depending on the dryness and size of your Kokedama, this could take anywhere from 15 to 30 minutes or so.
After soaking, gently squeeze out excess water from the moss ball - this will make sure your Kokedama does not become waterlogged, helping to prevent conditions like root rot and mould. Squeezing out excess water will also help prevent more rapid deterioration of the twine, which is a natural and biodegradable product.
You can also water your Kokedama by gently trickling water down into the top of the moss ball (where the plant grows out of), until tit is heavy and full. Note - this method is not recommended for some Kokedama, including Birds Nest Fern, as putting water into the top of the plant may cause issues.
Alternating these methods will aid in prolonging the longevity of the jute twine used to wrap around and secure the moss ball.
Ensure you allow your Kokedama to drain thoroughly before replacing it on your bespoke Coastal Eden Kokedama stand or hanger.
Maintenance: Low
In general, Kokedama are wonderfully low maintenance. As well as getting the right amount of light and water to keep your plants happy, the most important thing is to ensure that the moss ball is exposed to sufficient air flow. It's important to avoid having any damp spots on your Kokedama, which will quickly lead to mould and rot (yukky to look at and not good for the health of your Kokedama). We recommend either hanging your Kokedama, or placing it on a specialist stand to ensure perfect air flow.
You will also need to be mindful that the twine used to wrap your Kokedama is a natural product, and therefore will break down over time. Once this happens, you can simply have your Kokedama re-wrapped (we can do this for you, just get in touch), or you can unwrap it yourself and place the plant in a pot with fresh soil.
