How To Make A Kokedama - Creative DIY Guide

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Kokedama is a great way to bring a unique touch to your indoor garden. They are visually pleasing and offer many health benefits as well. In this guide, we will show you how to make your own Kokedama with our step-by-step instructions, as well as provide tips and tricks for caring for your Kokedama plant.

What is a Kokedama?

Kokedama is a form of Japanese gardening where plants are wrapped in a ball of soil and moss, essentially becoming a self-contained ecosystem. The word "Kokedama" translates to "moss ball." Instead of using a pot, the roots are completely covered in moss, which helps retain moisture while also providing an attractive visual element.

Why you should make a Kokedama?

Apart from being visually appealing, Kokedama presents several advantages over conventional potted plants. One of the significant benefits is that they can be made with the same plants used in regular pots. Moreover, Kokedama requires less watering than standard potted plants since their dense moss layer retains moisture for more extended periods.

Benefits of having a Kokedama indoors

Having a Kokedama plant in your home or office provides numerous benefits, including:

• Aesthetically pleasing plant decor
• Air purifying capability
• Cost-effective method of gardening
• Reduces stress levels and improves overall mood
• Low maintenance requirements

Kokedama DIY

What you need to make a Kokedama

Before diving into making your Kokedama plant, ensure you have the following materials:

• Plants of your choice
• Akadama Soil OR Bonsai soil (you can get these both online and in local nurseries)
• Fresh sphagnum moss
• String (preferably jute twine)
• Water

Step by step instructions to make your own Kokedama

Step 1: Prepare Your Plant

Start by giving your plants a decent pruning. Trim any unnecessary foliage, such as yellowing leaves or dead branches, effectively creating a neater plant with new growth points.

Step 2: Soil-and-moss ball preparation

Mix the Akadama soil or Bonsai soil with enough water until it forms a dense ball that can be held together without crumbling quickly. Then, take a handful of moss and form it into a similar-sized ball, making sure that there's an indentation in the center for planting.

Step 3: Plant Your Plant

Wash the roots under running water to remove any excess dirt and gently remove any clumps of soil that may have formed around them. Place the roots in the ball's indentation, covering it up with more soil until it is completely surrounded by moss.

Step 4: Twine Your Kokedama Ball

Wrap the twine tightly around the ball about six times. The tension should be firm enough to compress the ball while ensuring it doesn't break apart. To guarantee the ball stays together, wrap the string carefully around each other before tying off at the top.

Tips and Tricks for making the perfect Kokedama

• When choosing plants for your Kokedama, select those that prefer moist soils, such as ferns, ivies or succulents.

• Keep in mind when wrapping the ball to squeeze as much moisture out of the soil as possible so that it doesn't fall apart.

• Hang your Kokedama near windows where they can receive plenty of indirect sunlight.

• Once completed, run water over your Kokedama weekly or submerge it in water for up to 15 minutes if you wish to speed up the watering process.

Indoor Gardening with Kokedama

Best plants for Kokedama

Some popular plants to use for making Kokedama include:

• Spider plant
• Ferns (Maidenhair, Bird's Nest or Staghorn)
• English Ivy
• Succulents

Caring for your Kokedama plant

For the longevity of your Kokedama plant, follow these care instructions:

• Provide indirect sunlight
• Water once weekly or when the top moss layer feels slightly dry.
• Do not overwater – Kokedama enjoys moist soil, but too much water can make the ball fall apart
• Ensure proper drainage by adding lightweight fillings like Perlite to the mix.

Tips for displaying your Kokedama

Kokedama looks fantastic when hanging from ceilings, on walls or simply nestled on tables. Here are some visually appealing ways to showcase your Kokedama:

• Place your Kokedama in a shallow dish on a table or shelf.
• Hang it from a wall with mounting brackets.
• Decorate Kokedama balls with string lights or place them in a transparent vase.

Making your Kokedama plant is easier than you think and can bring a unique, distinct touch to your indoor garden. Not only does it offer visual appeal, but they also have numerous health benefits. Additionally, they are cost-effective and relatively easy to maintain once you've mastered the technique.

FAQ

Here are the answers to some commonly asked questions about Kokedama:

What plants are best for Kokedama?

Many varieties of plants are great for Kokedama, including ferns, ivy, succulents, and certain types of cacti. It is best to select a plant that thrives in moist soil.

Do I need special tools or materials to create a Kokedama?

No, Kokedama requires only basic gardening equipment such as soil, fresh sphagnum moss, twine and water.

How often do I need to water my Kokedama plant?

Water your Kokedama once a week or when the soil on top of the ball is slightly dry.

Can Kokedama be hung outside?

While it's possible to hang Kokedama plants outside, they are ideally suited for indoor gardening as they require protection from strong winds, direct sunlight, and fluctuating temperatures.

Are there any specific soil mixes required for Kokedama?

Kokedama generally requires soil that promotes water retention such as Akadama Soil, Bonsai soil or peat moss. You must ensure proper drainage by adding lightweight fillers such as Perlite or vermiculite.

How long do Kokedama plants typically last?

A well-cared-for Kokedama plant can last up to two years with periodic binding of the moss and trimming of yellow leaves.

Can I use artificial plants for Kokedama?

No, creating Kokedama requires a high moisture content that artificial plants cannot replicate.

How do I fertilize a Kokedama plant?

One can dissolve water-soluble fertilizers in water before watering your Kokedama ball. Alternatively, you could add diluted liquid fertilizer to the watering can.

Can I make Kokedama with succulents or cacti?

Yes, as long as the chosen plant requires less water and has a root system that fits into a sizeable moss ball.

Where can I buy pre-made Kokedama?

Many online stores, local nurseries and specialised garden centres offer ready-to-display Kokedama balls.