HOW TO CARE FOR YOUR MOSS BALL GARDEN

No two pieces are identical. Each is custom-made by us. Furthermore, it is important to note that this is a living garment, and it requires maintenance by its caring owner to ensure its longevity.

HOW TO WATER KOKEDAMAS

Step 1: Prepare your soaking container.
Fill a bowl, bucket, or sink with room-temperature water, approximately 65-75°F (18-24°C). The container should be deep enough to fully submerge the moss ball. Cold water can shock tropical plants; hot water can damage roots.

Step 2: Submerge the moss ball.
Place your kokedama in the water, plant side up. The ball will likely float at first. This is normal, especially if it's very dry. Gently press it down until it stays submerged and begins releasing air bubbles.

Step 3: Soak for 10 to 20 minutes.
Allow the moss ball to absorb water until it feels heavy and saturated. A small kokedama (3-4 inches in diameter) typically needs 10 minutes. A larger one (6+ inches) may need 15 to 20 minutes. You'll know it's ready when air bubbles stop rising, and the ball feels noticeably heavier, roughly double its dry weight.

Step 4: Remove and squeeze.
Lift the kokedama from the water and hold it over the container or sink. Gently squeeze the moss ball with both hands to release excess water. Don't crush it. Apply steady, moderate pressure. The goal is to remove dripping water while leaving the ball moist throughout.

Step 5: Drain before displaying.
Place the kokedama in a colander or on a wire rack over the sink for 10 to 15 minutes. It should stop dripping completely before you return it to its display spot. Placing a wet kokedama on furniture, fabric, or unsealed wood will cause water damage and can encourage mold.

HOW OFTEN TO WATER A KOKEDAMA

Most kokedama need watering every 7 to 14 days, though this varies by plant, environment, and season. Ferns and calatheas prefer consistently moist conditions and need water every 5 to 7 days; pothos and philodendrons tolerate more drying and can go 10 to 14 days; succulents need even less, around every 2 to 3 weeks. Plants in brighter, warmer, or drier spots will need water more often, and more frequently through spring and summer when growth is active.

The weight test is the most reliable indicator. Pick up your kokedama and note how it feels fully saturated versus dry. After a few weeks, you'll develop a feel for when yours needs soaking — typically when it feels about half as heavy as it did right after watering, or when the moss feels dry and papery to the touch.

HOW LONG DOES A KOKEDAMA PLANT LAST?

With proper care, a kokedama can last two to three years before the plant outgrows its moss ball or the structure needs refreshing. Some last considerably longer, five years or more, with the right plant and consistent maintenance.

The lifespan depends on several factors: 

Plant growth rate matters most. Slow-growing plants like ferns, pothos, and smaller bromeliads tend to stay happy in their moss balls longer than fast growers. A pothos kokedama might last three to four years with occasional pruning, while a fast-growing asparagus fern may need remaking after 12 to 18 months.

Epiphytic plants often thrive in kokedama for years because the conditions mirror their native habitat. Bromeliads, staghorn ferns, and rabbit's foot ferns fall into this category. They're naturally adapted to growing on surfaces rather than in soil.

Moss and twine conditions also play a role. The outer structure degrades over time, especially with regular soaking. Natural twine may begin to fray after 12 to 18 months. The moss itself can thin or turn brown. Even if the plant remains healthy, the kokedama may need re-wrapping.

Signs it's time to remake: Roots pushing visibly through the moss surface. The plant looks crowded, top-heavy, or stunted. Twine breaking or moss falling away in patches. The ball no longer holds its shape after watering.

At that point, you can either remake the kokedama with a larger ball (increasing the diameter by about 2 inches), divide the plant, or transfer it to a terracotta planter and start fresh with a new specimen.

ARE KOKEDAMA HARD TO CARE FOR?

Not particularly. The watering method is different from potted plants (you soak the moss ball rather than pour water into the soil), but once you establish a routine, kokedama are relatively forgiving. 

Beyond that, kokedama care mirrors standard houseplant care: provide appropriate light for your specific plant, keep it away from drafts and heating vents, maintain reasonable humidity, and feed occasionally during the growing season.