“Kokedama (苔玉, in English, literally “moss ball”, koke – moss, tama – ball) is a ball of soil, covered with moss, on which an ornamental plant grows. The idea has its origins in Japan, where it is a combination of the nearai 根洗い (literally “root wash,” but meaning “no pot”) bonsai and kusamono planting styles. Today, Kokedama is very popular in Japanese gardens. “
from Wikipedia.com
Kokedama, is the youngest of bonsai varieties. It was established in the 90s in Japan. Initially, it wasn’t covered with moss or any other material. The idea to cover the soil and roots with moss came much later and it is still very young. Moss gives an additional cover, ensuring longer moisture retention and add extra aesthetic values. Kokedamas warm the cold interiors, giving it a friendly and unique character. The plant compositions can stand on a ceramic base, shell, bark of wood and be placed on window sills, tables or hung from the ceiling or at the windows as a solitary on in a group, as a string garden. The last idea allows us to transform our houseplants into dangling sculptural objects installation.
Kokedama is a great combination of simplicity, naturalness and original form. With a small amount of work, you can create an extraordinary natural ornament that will cheer us up for a long time.
Kokedama might be made from different houseplant from ferns, spider plants to bonsais. On custom request, we are able to create kokedamas of most of those species, but in our online shop we sell only kokedama with Peperomia angulata, evergreen succulent. Peperomia is a hardy plant, with easy to meet requirements so it is a perfect plant to start your journey as well as with kokedamas as with houseplant in general.
If you are interested in the idea of creating your own string garden and you would like to learn more about it then book your spot in our workshop! (plant beginner or asparagus fern one)
Last, but not at least, a bit of the care of Kokedamas:
Kokedama must be watered regularly. One method suggests feeling the weight of the Kokedama overtime – when the ball feels light, it can be submerged in water. By that, I mean a proper bath of kokedama with double-boiled, filtered water. Wait till the kokedama soaks so much water to drown, and then let it submerged for minimum 15min.
