The Art of Kokedama
Kokedama is a fun way to display indoor plants with a fresh organic feeling and impressive provenance. Kokedama originated with the Nearai bonsai method, an art form centuries old. It refers to plants grown so compactly and tightly that, when removed from a container, they hold well-grown roots and soil, forming a compact ball. The root balls are then wrapped in moss and held together with twine or wire. The Japanese words "koke" (moss) and "dama" (ball) perfectly describe the appearance of wrapped plants, whether root-bound or newly potted specimens.
Kokedama can be employed with established houseplants, cuttings of house plants, or seasonal plants. Plants can be displayed on trays, from simple clay saucers to vintage china cups or bowls or any interesting vessel. Some kokedama enthusiasts love topping their plants with a cloche, both for aesthetic appeal and to conserve moisture. Another popular method of display is hanging the moss-wrapped plants, whether a simple wrapping of twine or a retro macrame plant hanger.
The key is to meet the plant's watering needs and prevent damage to surfaces from the moistened moss ball. Plants that tolerate drier conditions are ideal, as are kokedama, with room to hold a bit of soil encased in the moss. Misting is a good technique for keeping moss moist. Kokedama thrives in humid environments such as a bathroom. Plants can be soaked at the sink, or a bit of water can be added to the saucer or vessel holding the moss ball.
You may be considering re-potting a root-bound plant and choosing instead to wrap it in moss. A well-rooted cutting of common pothos can be wrapped with a bit of soil and suspended, allowing it to trail in front of a bright window. A pretty succulent you plan to overwinter can be wrapped in moss, making it look fresh for its indoor display.
For the holidays, you can encase an amaryllis bulb in moss. Once wrapped, concentrate the water in the root zone versus allowing sopping moss to remain in contact with the bulb, which can rot the bulb. Plants will not display the height and vigor of those grown in potting soil, but the flowers are still beautiful, and the scale of the plants is well-suited to display without staking or flopping. This technique is a little more work than purchasing trendy wax-dipped amaryllis, but the look is more natural, and it lends itself to fun displays, such as a trio of kokedama amaryllis clustered in a bowl surrounded by pine cones, ornaments, or cuttings of evergreens from the garden.
Potting soil works fine for most plants wrapped in moss. A serious bonsai enthusiast may take on the challenge of growing a tree or shrub as kokedama. If you are working with such a plant, one that has higher watering needs or is particularly root-bound, add about 1/3 bonsai soil (akadama) or clay cat litter. Mix the soils together and pack around the root ball of the plant. Gather moistened sheet moss around the ball and wrap the moss with twine. Give everything a good squeeze and find the perfect place to display your plant.
