Craft: How to Make Your Very Own Japanese-inspired Hanging Garden
Get creative with your houseplants and check out these simple steps to making a stylish kokedama string garden
The first time I saw a wonderful display of kokedama, a variation of Japanese bonsai, hanging against a stark white wall, I never imagined how easy it would be to create these fabulous plant-and-string arrangements.
Kokedama means ‘moss ball’ in Japanese, and it’s made by transferring a succulent, small fern or other plant into a ball of soil held together with moss and colourful string or twine, which is also used to hang up the plant. These string gardens look great displayed in any home and are a fun way to bring the outdoors in. Follow floral designer Mandy Grace as she walks us through how to make a cool hanging-plant string garden.
Kokedama means ‘moss ball’ in Japanese, and it’s made by transferring a succulent, small fern or other plant into a ball of soil held together with moss and colourful string or twine, which is also used to hang up the plant. These string gardens look great displayed in any home and are a fun way to bring the outdoors in. Follow floral designer Mandy Grace as she walks us through how to make a cool hanging-plant string garden.
Materials and tools
- Tiny plants (succulents and baby ferns work well)
- Peat soil, cacti soil, clay mud
- Dry sphagnum moss
- Scissors
- 100 per cent cotton thread
- Colourful packing string (twine and hemp are favourites)
- Gloves (it will get messy)
- Jar of water
- Bowl (optional)
Remove as much soil as possible to expose the roots of your chosen plant. Be very thorough during this process, but also be very gentle.
Mix peat soil, cacti soil and mud clay together; a bowl will help contain the mess. Then add just enough water so that the soil begins to form a dough-like consistency. You should be able to form a small ball that won’t fall apart.
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Keep the ball of soil as small as possible, but make sure it is large enough to accommodate the roots of your plant.
Take a bunch of dry sphagnum moss and wrap it carefully around the roots of your plant to form a circular, compact shape.
Then tie cotton string around the sphagnum moss to hold it in place.
Make a small hole in your soil ball and gently press the plant inside it. Be sure to ‘close up’ the soil to reform the spherical shape.
Now it’s time for the fun part. Take small sheets of sphagnum moss and press them firmly into the ball of soil, being careful not to leave any gaps.
Now it’s time for the fun part. Take small sheets of sphagnum moss and press them firmly into the ball of soil, being careful not to leave any gaps.
Wrap the string or twine around the ball, leaving enough extra string at either end to allow you to hang the plant. You can use natural or white string or else choose a colour to go with your room scheme or the season.
Choose a nice spot that gets indirect light, install a hook and display your wonderful kokedama plant.
Tour a small urban garden in south London
Choose a nice spot that gets indirect light, install a hook and display your wonderful kokedama plant.
Tour a small urban garden in south London
Different plants require different amounts of food, water and sunlight to survive, so there are no one-size-fits-all rules. But here are some general guidelines for your indoor hanging garden:
Watering Weight is a good indicator of when your hanging plant needs water. Hold the ball in your hand and see if it feels heavy. If it does, then the ball has enough water for the roots. If the ball feels light, then it needs watering. Fill a bowl with enough water to cover the ball. Place it in the water and let it soak for two to three minutes. Remove the ball and gently squeeze it to allow the water to soak into the centre. This should be enough watering for several days.
Lighting, temperature and ventilation Choose a hanging plant that will thrive on the amount of light you can provide. Most indoor plants prefer a humid atmosphere and indirect light. Remember that proper ventilation is needed for growth.
TELL US…
How do you bring greenery into your home? Share your tips and photos in the Comments below.
Watering Weight is a good indicator of when your hanging plant needs water. Hold the ball in your hand and see if it feels heavy. If it does, then the ball has enough water for the roots. If the ball feels light, then it needs watering. Fill a bowl with enough water to cover the ball. Place it in the water and let it soak for two to three minutes. Remove the ball and gently squeeze it to allow the water to soak into the centre. This should be enough watering for several days.
Lighting, temperature and ventilation Choose a hanging plant that will thrive on the amount of light you can provide. Most indoor plants prefer a humid atmosphere and indirect light. Remember that proper ventilation is needed for growth.
TELL US…
How do you bring greenery into your home? Share your tips and photos in the Comments below.