This herbaceous perennial (evergreen in warmer zones) turns green as temperatures warm. The Best Low-Growing Ground Cover Between Patios, North Carolina Extension Gardener Toolbox: Sagina subulata, Colorado State University Extension: Ground Covers and Rock Garden Plants for Mountain Communities, University of Maryland Extension: Lawn Alternatives, How to Kill Moss on Indoor-Outdoor Carpeting. Put a large piece of cardboard over the Irish moss. Step by Step Guide for Growing Irish Moss from Seed Spread seeds in starter soil, pressed lightly into it Germination will take 2-3 weeks, then transplant into their respective location (garden, container, terrarium, etc.) The seeds do not need burying or covering in the soil. Feed the plants a diluted fertilizer such as a general-purpose liquid fertilizer or fish emulsion in early spring, and again after the plants stop blooming in midsummer. It is a good alternative in places where it is difficult to grow grass. Plant them around 12 inches apart to prevent overcrowding. A member of the Caryophyllaceae family, Irish moss (Sagina subulata), which is not a moss at all, is also called Corsican pearlwort or Scots moss. Once mature, plants will spread by self-sowing seeds, so there is some potential for Irish moss to become a weed, but the plants are easy to remove when caught early. If the soil is sandy or clay-based, work up to 2 inches of manure, compost, or other organic matter into the soil. She holds a Bachelor of Science in agriculture from Cornell University and a Master of Professional Studies in environmental studies from SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry. Kept your Irish Moss seeds at 64 - ... # 2 | Pay extra attention to soil moisture when planting Irish Moss seeds. She is an Oregon State University Master Gardener and Master Naturalist and holds a Master of Fine Arts in creative nonfiction writing. A native of South America, Irish moss is not affected by many pests or diseases when grown in North America – just watch for slugs. This can be controlled by occasionally cutting out narrow strips, then pressing or rolling lightly. # 1 | Sow Irish Moss seeds by pressing the tiny (dust-like) seeds into soil but make sure you do not cover them. - Image Courtesy: weddingbycolor.com Forms a ground-hugging, soft green carpet. Sprinkle the seeds out across the surface of the soil and leave them like that. In the right conditions, Irish Moss self-seeds readily. - Make sure that the soil is wet but not soggy at all. Since Irish moss ground cover can tolerate some foot traffic, it works especially well along walkways or to fill in the spaces between stepping stones. Irish Moss seeds can be direct sown into the garden or in-between stones. Not a true moss but a flowering plant, these evergreen ground cover plants resemble moss until their small white star-shaped flowers begin to bloom. Planting Irish moss as a ground cover reduces the time and labor of mowing and adds diversity and interest to your landscape. Studded with a galaxy of white flowers for a short time in mid-summer. Tiny white flowers appear in late spring, and often bloom for a second time in late summer. To grow moss, all you need is a little bit of labor up front, and then it can take care of itself for years to come. Kept at 64 - 72F, germination is in 14 - 21 days. Be patient when trying to grow Irish moss as a ground cover or as an alternative to lawn. Breaking the plant up into smaller "plugs" should help the spread. It's sometimes also referred to as Moss Sandwort. The Irish moss thrives well in zones 6 to 9. Or, you can spread a moss mixture onto your fence, foundation, or stones to give them an aura of forest magic. With a lush, velvety appearance, Irish or Scotch moss forms a luxurious carpet of green or gold, respectively. Dyer began her writing career as a staff writer at a community newspaper and is now a full-time commercial writer. Step 1: Choose the right Irish Moss Plant. Pour the Irish moss seeds into the bowl and mix the seed with the sand. Irish moss (Sagina subulata) is the perfect plant for damp, shady places where nothing else seems to grow. The ground cover seed must be kept moist continuously. Learn more about these plants that make a great filler between flagstones or spilling over rocks… You can propagate the Irish moss by dividing the rootball. How to Plant and Care for Irish and Scottish Moss They need good soil, good drainage, and occasional feeding with controlled-release fertilizer. Growing moss indoors in terrariums or large glass jars is a decorative way to create miniature forest landscapes to decorate your home. The ground cover seed must be kept moist continuously. , she also runs a small farm with her family in Central New York need good soil, drainage. 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