Kokedama Care Guide

Easier to care for than they look 🌿

Kokedama is a traditional Japanese planting style where a plant’s roots are wrapped in soil and moss to create a living sculpture. With the right care, your kokedama can thrive for years as a unique piece of botanical art.

Most kokedama contain leafy houseplants, but some varieties like succulents and carnivorous plants require slightly different care. Choose the section below that best matches your plant.

Decorative arrangement of plants on a wooden surface with a blurred background

Leafy Houseplant Kokedama (Most kokedama — pothos, ferns, philodendron, ivy, and other leafy tropical houseplants.)

💧 Water

The easiest way to know when your kokedama needs water is by weight. When the moss ball feels very light—almost like styrofoam—it’s time to water.

To water, soak the entire kokedama in a bowl of room-temperature water for 10–15 minutes, allowing the moss ball to fully absorb water. After soaking, allow excess water to drain before returning it to its dish.

Watering Frequency

Most leafy tropical houseplant kokedama need watering about once per week, though this can vary depending on the amount of light, temperature, and humidity in your home.

The best way to know when your kokedama needs water is by weight, rather than following a strict schedule. When the moss ball feels very light—almost like styrofoam—it’s time to water.

During the first week after bringing your kokedama home, we recommend picking up the moss ball every day or two to get familiar with how its weight changes as it dries. This will help you learn your plant’s natural watering cycle.

This method applies to both standard and mini kokedama—always rely on the weight of the moss ball rather than a strict schedule.

☀️ Light

Most leafy tropical houseplants used in kokedama prefer bright, indirect light, though lighting needs may vary depending on the specific plant.

For best results, refer to the product page for your particular plant for recommended lighting conditions.

Avoid strong direct sun, which can dry the moss and stress the plant.

💦 Humidity

Many leafy tropical houseplants appreciate moderate humidity. Occasional misting can help keep the moss looking fresh.

If your home is very dry, placing your kokedama near other plants, using a humidifier, or displaying it in naturally humid areas like a bathroom or kitchen can help maintain a comfortable environment for the plant.

📍 Placement

Display your kokedama in a shallow dish or bowl, or hang it using twine or fishing line.

Choose a location with good air circulation and appropriate light for the specific plant. Avoid placing near heating vents, radiators, or cold drafts.

Succulent Kokedama

(Kokedama made with succulent plants such as echeveria, haworthia, and similar varieties.)

💧 Water

Submerge the kokedama in a bowl of room-temperature water for 5–10 minutes, allowing the moss ball to fully absorb water. After soaking, gently squeeze the moss ball to remove excess water before returning it to its dish.

Frequency

Succulent kokedama prefer to dry out completely between watering.

Most succulent kokedama need watering every 2–3 weeks, though this may vary depending on the amount of light, temperature, and humidity in your home.

The best way to know when it’s time to water is by weight. When the moss ball feels very light or completely dry, it’s ready to be watered.

Always rely on the weight of the moss ball rather than a fixed schedule.

☀️ Light

Lighting needs will vary depending on the type of succulent.

Rosette succulents such as echeveria and hens and chicks prefer very bright light to direct sun. A sunny south-facing window or strong grow lights work best for these varieties.

Hens and chicks especially thrive outdoors in full sun. When grown outside, they often receive enough natural rainwater that additional watering may not be necessary.

Haworthia are more tolerant of lower light and prefer low light to bright indirect light, but should avoid strong direct sun, which can cause stress or sunburn.

For best results, refer to the product page for your specific plant for recommended lighting conditions.

💦 Humidity

Succulent kokedama do well in normal indoor humidity and do not require additional humidity.

Unlike many tropical houseplants, succulents should be allowed to dry completely between watering. Good airflow around the moss ball helps prevent excess moisture from lingering.

📍 Placement

Place your succulent kokedama in a bright location with good airflow.

Succulent kokedama look great displayed in mini gold stands or open dishes, which allow air to circulate around the moss ball and help it dry properly between watering.

Hens and chicks can also be grown outdoors in full sun. They tolerate intense outdoor conditions and often develop their most vibrant pink, red, and neon colors when exposed to strong sunlight and seasonal heat or cold.

Carnivorous Kokedama

Carnivorous plants that naturally catch and digest insects, such as pitcher plants.

💧 Water

Carnivorous plants require pure water only. Use distilled water, rainwater, or reverse-osmosis water. Tap water and most bottled drinking water contain minerals that can damage these plants.

Instead, keep the kokedama sitting in ½–1 inch of distilled water in a dish at all times. These plants are natural bog plants and prefer consistently wet conditions.

Never allow the moss ball to dry out.

☀️ Light

Carnivorous plants prefer very bright light to full sun.

A sunny south-facing window, strong grow lights, or outdoor placement during warm months can help provide the light these plants need.

The American pitcher plant (Sarracenia) develops its most vibrant colors in strong light. With plenty of sun, the pitchers may turn bright red or deep purple. In lower light conditions, the plant may appear greener, which is a sign it would benefit from more light.

💦 Humidity

Carnivorous plants generally tolerate normal indoor humidity, but they should always remain consistently moist.

Keeping the moss ball sitting in water helps maintain the moisture these plants require.

📍 Placement

Place your carnivorous kokedama in the brightest location available.

These plants can also be grown outdoors during warm months, where strong sunlight supports healthy growth.

Avoid placing near heating vents or areas where the water dish may dry out quickly.

🪰🌙 Feeding & Dormancy

Carnivorous plants naturally catch and digest insects and do not require regular feeding.

When grown outdoors, they will catch insects on their own. Indoors, they may occasionally catch small insects like gnats or flies. There is no need to manually feed your plant, and fertilizers should not be used.

American pitcher plants are temperate plants and naturally go through a winter dormancy period. During colder months, growth may slow and some pitchers may turn brown. This is normal. New growth will return as temperatures warm and light levels increase in spring.

Young plants (such as the one you just purchased) typically do not require dormancy during their first 1–2 years. As the plant matures, it will benefit from a winter rest period.

Dormancy can be encouraged by gradually reducing the number of hours of light and lowering temperatures during the winter months.

General Kokedama Care FAQ

Helpful tips and answers for caring for your kokedama.

What is Kokedama?

Kokedama (苔玉), meaning “moss ball” in Japanese, is a traditional planting technique where a plant’s roots are wrapped in soil and encased in natural moss instead of being placed in a pot.

Originating from Japan during the Edo period, kokedama began as a simple, accessible way to grow plants — and has evolved into a modern form of living botanical art.

Each Plants & What Knot kokedama is handcrafted and designed to function as both a plant and a sculpture.

Can I water my kokedama by filling the dish instead of soaking it?

Yes. If your kokedama sits in a dish, you can water it by adding enough water for the moss ball to absorb moisture from the bottom up.

The dish should be large enough for the moss ball to become fully saturated. Once the kokedama has absorbed water, pour off any remaining water so the plant is not left sitting in water.

(Carnivorous kokedama are the exception — they should remain sitting in distilled water.)

Can I trim my plant?

Yes. As your plant grows, you can lightly prune leaves or stems to maintain the desired shape and size.

Can I Mist My Kokedama Instead of Soaking It?

Misting helps increase humidity, but it does not replace soaking.

The moss ball must be fully saturated periodically to properly hydrate the root system.

Most tropical plants will appreciate occasional spraying on the foliage to increase humidity — especially in dry indoor environments.

However, always check your specific plant type. Some species do not like wet leaves and should be bottom watered only (for example, plants with fuzzy foliage or certain flowering varieties).

Can kokedama live outdoors?

Some kokedama can be grown outdoors during warm months.

Tropical houseplant kokedama prefer a shady or protected location when grown outside, as direct sun can dry the moss ball too quickly.

Succulent and carnivorous kokedama generally enjoy strong light and direct sun, making them great candidates for outdoor growing.

Always refer to the product page for your specific plant to determine whether it is suitable for outdoor conditions.

How Long Does a Kokedama Last? When Should I Re-Moss?

With proper care, a kokedama can last for years. You may notice it needs re-mossing if:

Moss thins or fades
Kokedama becomes top heavy from plant growth
Roots grow through the moss
It dries out faster (a sign of becoming rootbound)

Re-mossing is similar to traditional repotting. Timing varies depending on plant type, growth rate, and environment.

General guidelines:

Most tropical plants: every 1–2 years
Succulents, cacti, and many ferns: can go many years or even indefinitely

You may also re-moss for aesthetic reasons. If you prefer your kokedama looking fresh and bright green, you might refresh it every 4–6 months. If you enjoy a more natural, organic evolution, you can wait longer — as long as the plant remains healthy.

You can also repot into a traditional planter at any time.

Plants & What Knot Re-Mossing Service

Re-mossing starts at $15 for mini kokedama and $20 for standard kokedama. Bring your kokedama to one of our events or drop it off at our Chantilly studio.
Email hello@plantsandwhatknot.com to coordinate. Turnaround is typically about one week.

Why Is There White Fuzzy Mold on My Kokedama?

A thin layer of white fuzz on the moss is usually harmless surface mold. It can develop in high humidity, low light, or if the moss stays wet for too long.

This is typically cosmetic and does not harm the plant itself.

To correct it:

Allow the kokedama to dry more thoroughly between waterings
Increase sunlight (bright, indirect light is ideal)
Improve air circulation
Gently wipe the area with an antibacterial wipe or a soft cloth with mild soapy water

If mold continues to return, reduce watering frequency and ensure the moss is not staying consistently damp.

Why Is My Moss Turning Brown?

Moss will naturally soften and evolve in color over time — part of the beauty of living botanical art.

We’ve found that sphagnum moss maintains its structure and appearance longer than fresh moss varieties, which is sensitive to indoor growing conditions.

As the moss ages, it may shift to softer, more earthy tones. This is completely natural and does not affect the health of your plant.

If you prefer a more vibrant look, you can:

• Refresh the moss with our Green Glow Up spray
• Re-moss your kokedama (email hello@plantsandwhatknot.com to schedule)

As long as the plant itself is healthy, changes in moss color are purely cosmetic.

My Plant Died — Can I Reuse the Moss Ball?

Plants & What Knot kokedama are not designed to be reusable.

Each kokedama is hand-sculpted around the individual plant’s root ball. The moss ball is custom-built to fit that specific plant, so it cannot simply be opened and reused for another plant.

If you have a new plant you’d like to have “kokedama-ed,” we’d love to help.

Please email hello@plantsandwhatknot.com for a custom kokedama quote.

What are Kokedama Made Of?

There are many different kokedama techniques and materials used around the world.

At Plants & What Knot, we hand-sculpt each kokedama by shaping potting soil around the plant’s root ball to form a perfect sphere. We then wrap the ball in sphagnum moss and secure it with fishing line to hold everything in place.

Each piece is individually crafted to support the specific plant inside — creating a functional root system wrapped in a sculptural moss exterior.

Continue your plant journey