Garden Moss Types: Varieties Of Moss For Gardens


Moss is the perfect choice for that spot where nothing else will grow. Thriving on just a little bit of moisture and shade, it actually prefers compacted, poor-quality soil, and will even be happy with no soil at all. Keep reading for more information about different types of moss and how they can fit into your garden.
Different Types of Moss
There are 22,000 varieties of moss worldwide, so you have quite a few options. A good way to narrow down your choices in what garden moss types to use is to determine what you want to do with your moss. Nothing says a lawn has to be grassy, and a damp, highly shaded yard, in particular, may perform much better with a type of moss that can handle high foot traffic. Moss lawns are attractive too. Moss can also be used as the lowest level in a shade garden to make for another tier in an arrangement of differing heights. It can provide color and texture between bricks and paving stones. It can also be the centerpiece of your garden, particularly if different varieties are used and different heights are achieved with the placement of stones.
Moss Varieties for the Garden
There are a few moss varieties that are especially popular for home cultivation.
- Sheet moss is very easy to grow and can withstand foot traffic, making it an excellent choice for a lawn alternative or breakup between paving stones.
- Ceratodon moss is also good between stones.
- Cushion moss grows up to form a ball-like structure that changes color from dry to wet, making it a good choice for a more moss-centric garden.
- Rock cap moss clings to stones. It’s good for mossy gardens or accents on stones in flower gardens.
- Haircap moss grows relatively tall and looks like a tiny forest. It provides a good height contrast against other moss.
- Fern moss is fast-growing and strong, and another good grass alternative in shady yards.
Now that you know a little more about moss for gardens, why not experiment with growing some for your landscape.
Gardening tips, videos, info and more delivered right to your inbox!
Sign up for the Gardening Know How newsletter today and receive a free copy of our e-book "How to Grow Delicious Tomatoes".

The only child of a horticulturist and an English teacher, Liz Baessler was destined to become a gardening editor. She has been with Gardening Know how since 2015, and a Senior Editor since 2020. She holds a BA in English from Brandeis University and an MA in English from the University of Geneva, Switzerland. After years of gardening in containers and community garden plots, she finally has a backyard of her own, which she is systematically filling with vegetables and flowers.
-
How To Grow a Kansas Peony For Sublime Magenta Double Blooms And Enduring Fragrance
Growing Kansas peonies will add gorgeous color and fragrance to your garden. Their deep color and lush blooms are sure to make your neighbors jealous!
-
Looking For Full Sun Container Plants? Try These Gorgeous Plant Combos And Themes
There are plenty of heat-tolerant plants that thrive in containers – but if you’re stuck for ideas, these full sun container plants and planting ideas will help get you started
-
What Is Moss Campion - Moss Campion Plant Info
Next time you’re at high altitudes, check out the moss campion silene plants that grow in crevices and rocks with pretty pink blossoms.
-
How To Kill Weeds Not Moss – Removing Weeds From Moss Gardens
Perhaps you're contemplating turning part of your yard into a moss garden. But what about weeds? After all, removing weeds from moss by hand sounds like a lot of hard work. Luckily, controlling weeds in moss is not difficult. Learn how to kill weeds, not moss in this article.
-
Blended Moss Information – How To Make And Establish A Moss Slurry
Also known as “blended moss,” moss slurry is the easiest and quickest way to get moss to grow in difficult locations of the garden. With a lot of slurry, you can even create a moss lawn. It isn’t difficult to establish a moss slurry, so click here to learn how.
-
What Is Ball Moss: Tips For Getting Rid Of Ball Moss
If you have a tree that is covered in Spanish moss or ball moss, you might be wondering if it can kill your tree. Not a bad question, but to answer it, you first need to know what ball moss is before you determine whether ball moss is bad or not. This article can help with that.
-
Is Yogurt Good For Moss – How To Grow Moss With Yogurt
While several techniques for growing moss have been debunked as false, many still try their hand at it. One technique uses yogurt as a catalyst for encouraging the spread of moss. But does moss grow on yogurt and is this just another falsehood? Learn more here.
-
No Flowers On Portulaca – Why Won’t My Moss Rose Flower
Moss roses (Portulaca) are beautiful, vibrant plants, but when there are no flowers on portulaca, it can be disappointing and downright frustrating. Click on this article for possible reasons and solutions when there are no flowers on moss roses.
-
Container Grown Moss – How To Grow Moss In A Pot
Mosses are fascinating little plants that form luxurious, bright green carpets, usually in shady, damp, woodland environments. If you can replicate this natural environment, you won't have any trouble growing moss in plant pots. Click here to learn more.
-
Learn About The History Of Moss Roses
Portulaca moss rose is a tough plant that is happiest in blazing sunlight, poor soil and punishing heat that would kill fussy flowers in a hurry. In fact, a gloomy day often causes moss roses to fold up until the sun comes out. Moss rose looks great nearly anywhere in the garden.