Bringing greenery inside for the holidays is a beautiful and traditional way to decorate. It’s a promise through the cold, dark winter that life will return again in spring. But you don’t have to get mired down in tradition. This year, try a new way to bring festive greenery into your home: kokedama.
Making kokedama moss balls is an excellent way to get creative with holiday plants. Kokedama is a Japanese practice of wrapping sheets of moss and twine around the root ball of a plant so it can be hung for display. You can also display your plant on a saucer or tray if you don’t have a place to hang it. And using small kokedama succulents is a stunning way to decorate your Christmas tree.
There are many plants suitable for kokedama. Here are four that will make a gorgeous display this holiday season.
Kokedama Plants Perfect for Christmas
Making kokedama can seem a bit daunting, but there is no wrong way to do it! You can make it easy on yourself by purchasing a premade kokedama hanging moss planter, like this one from Amazon. Or you can go the traditional route with sheets of live moss and a spool of natural jute twine, both available from Amazon.
Kokedama moss balls are easy to care for. Simply soak the whole planted moss ball in a bowl of water for 20 minutes when the moss becomes dry, or once a week. Gently squeeze out excess water and let the plant and moss drain for a little while in the sink before hanging back up.
1. Poinsettia
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Nothing quite says Christmas like a vibrant poinsettia in the house. Bright red, pink, or white poinsettias will all look lovely against the green kokedama moss balls. Hang smaller kokedama poinsettias or place larger ones on a decorative tray for a gorgeous centerpiece on your holiday table. A kokedama poinsettia will also brighten your entryway and greet guests on a console table.
2. Anthurium
(Image credit: Pandu Swaraga / Shutterstock)
Anthuriums, with their bold red spathes, will add a pop of festive color to your holiday decor. Anthurium plants like bright, indirect light so this kokedama plant will do best near a window that has a sheer covering. To avoid root rot, only soak your kokedama anthurium once the moss ball is fully dry.
3. Amaryllis
(Image credit: Alexandra Bordeianu / Getty Images)
Amaryllis blooms brighten even the darkest of winter days and are a fabulous way to add holiday cheer to any home. Up your game by turning a traditional amaryllis bulb into a gorgeous kokedama display. You can hang your kokedama amaryllis in a bright, sunny window for the best blooms, but make sure you keep an eye on the moisture levels since the sun will dry it out faster.
4. Red Bromeliad
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There are many different colors of bromeliad plants, but I love a bright red for the holiday season. Display your glorious kokedama bromeliad in bright, diffuse light. Keep your bromeliad moist, but not soggy for the best results in a dry, winter household. You can also use a plant mister spray bottle, like this one from Amazon, to help keep things hydrated.
Festive Kokedama Essentials
Supermoss Kokedama Planter
This moss kokedama planter from Amazon is perfect for kokedama beginners. Hydrate the moss, place your plant inside with appropriate soil, and place it proudly on display!
Wrap these live moss sheets around your plant’s ball of soil to keep the moisture in and secure it with twine for a traditional kokedama look.
Perkhomy Natural Jute Twine
Natural jute twine will securely hold moss around your kokedama ball. You can also use three strands of twine to securely hang your new kokedama plants in your home or outdoors once the weather warms up.
Get creative and change up your holiday greenery with unique kokedama plants. I’ll be trying my hand at it this Christmas season!
