Kokedama Plant Care

Eden Gardens prides itself on being a leader in plant retailing and always ahead of the game…which is why we’ve had Kokedama balls in store for many years.  For those not familiar with Kokedama, you’ve probably seen them and recognise them as moss balls.  It’s a Japanese form using a Koke (ball) and dama (moss) sphere which contains the plants roots, bundled up with string, soil and moss to create a living bauble.

Styling a room with Kokedama is a chance to add a new dimension to your living area. Hanging plants add an effortless touch to rooms, and you can create your own Kokedama jungle by hanging numerous kokedama’s at varying heights – a living collection that not only looks great but also purifies the air!  If you prefer a single specimen, Kokedama also look great in a beautiful stone or marble dish, where they can make a coffee table unique.

Care for your Kokedama

As with any living thing, the Kokedama needs water, light and nourishment. By looking after your Kokedama well it can last for many years and will live happily in the right conditions.

You will know when your Kokedama needs watering when the ball feels dry to touch andlight when you pick it up.The type of plant you have will determine how often you should water your Kokedama, so it’s important not to over water; be sure you get to know your plants and it’s care needs. Refer to our Kokedama plant guide further on.

To water your Kokedama, follow these simple steps: 

• Place your Kokedama in a bucket or bowl filled with water.
• Allow the moss ball to fully submerge and soak for 10-20 minutes, or until ball feels heavy.
• Remove from bucket and gently squeeze out excess water.
• Allow to drip dry before putting back on display.

Water more frequently in Summer and less in Winter – most plants will do well in bright indirect sunlight.

Misting

Kokedama balls can also benefit from misting once or twice a week to prevent them drying out too quickly. This increases the humidity and is great for tropical plants. 

How to feed your Kokedama

It’s easiest to feed your Kokedama using liquid fertiliser, which can be added once a month when you soak it in a bucket.  Flowering plants will benefit from extra potassium to encourage flowers, so using something like Thrive for Flower and Fruit is great on these, but leafy green plants are fine with We the Wild, which is an organic option.

Kokedama Refresh

Over time you may find that your Kokedama string starts to biodegrade and break down. This is a normal process.  You have a choice of either potting your plant into a pot and removing the string or, if you wish to keep your Kokedama as a ball, bring it back into your local Eden or Gro store and book a Kokedama refresh. The staff will have it back looking like new in a couple of days! 

 

 

 

*Plant Care Guide*

The following guide will assist you to ensure your Kokedama is happy and healthy.

Fruit Salad Plant (Monstera deliciosa)

This large-leafed climber is the go-to plant for tricky positions where impact is needed. It adds a tropical touch to rooms, and can be grown on a totem, as a stand-alone plant, indoors and outside in a shady courtyard.

Light: shady gardens and undercrofts outdoors, inside it prefers well-lit areas but will also cope in darker spots.
Watering: allow it to dry out slightly between watering and ease off over winter.

 

Swiss Cheese Plant (Monstera adansonii)

This popular household plant which develops holes in its leaves, similar to the look of Swiss cheese, hence the name.

Light: Place in warm area with filtered indoor light. 
Watering:Mist regularly from spring to summer. Let the ball dry out between watering and prune back any dead leaves.
 

Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum)

The Peace Lily is one of the best air purifiers and will also cope in air-conditioned rooms.  Its handsome dark green foliage is attractive year-round and the white flowers appear in spring and last through summer.

Light: bright indirect light will produce flowers, however it is also tolerant of darker positions.
Watering: water regularly in spring and summer, less in autumn and winter. Pebbles in a saucer of water underneath will help increase humidity.
Feeding: liquid feed every month during the warmer weather to stop the leaves from yellowing.

 

Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum)

Spider plant is also known as Ribbon plant, due to the clusters of babies it produces at the ends of strappygrowth. There are also dwarf and curly forms to look out for. They are perfect for hanging Kokedama, inside and outside in shady areas.

Light: Prefers bright indirect light, to maintain their prominent leaf stripes.
Watering:Only requires moderate watering, check if ball is dry and feels light before watering in cooler months.

 

Devil’s Ivy (Epipremnum aureum)

This is a wonderful trailing indoor plant with heart shaped golden-flecked leaves that is the perfect choice for hanging kokedama’s, shelving and even can be grown as a climbing plant on wires. Devil’s Ivy is one of the best air purifiers.  ‘Goldilocks’ is the solid golden leaf form, and ‘Marble Queen’ has cream variegation, and ‘Jade’ is dark green and ‘Snow Queen’has whitemarkings.

Light: bright, indirect light maintains the colouring best, though it will grow in darker positions.
Watering: water weekly in the warmer months of the year, allowing it to slightly dry out between watering.
Feeding: liquid feed every month.

 

Rabbits Foot Fern(Davallia)

Hare's foot fern (Davallia sp.) spread by means of a furry flat stem.  This can grow to envelop a hanging Kokedama. They are best suited to shade rather than indoors.  The dainty triangular fronds are sometimes harvested by florists for flower arrangements.

Light: Bright indirect sunlight.
Watering: Mist leaves regularly and do not overwater ball.

 

Umbrella Tree (Schefflera Arboricola)

This rainforest native has glossy umbrella-like foliage and a compact habit.  It’s semi epiphytic, rainforest habitat makes it Ideal for indoor Kokedama, especially for low light areas. 

Light:Prefers a warm, sheltered site with filtered light.
Watering:Keep moist but do not overwater.

 

Philodendron‘Xanadu’

Philodendron ‘Xanadu’, is just as happy outside in the shade as indoors.  Its deeply lobed, luscious dark green make this plant stand out in a Kokedama.

Light:prefers medium to bright indirect light.
Watering: water moderately when the moss ball feels light or dry.
 

Haworthia

Imagine a zebra crossed with an Aloe and you’ll end up with a Haworthia.  It’s a fabulous succulent which is great for Kokedama and will grow in semi shade or full sun.

Watering: water moderately when the moss ball feels light or dry.

 

Parlour Palm (Chamaedorea elegans)

Is perfect for indoors due to its low light tolerance, slow growth, and diminutive habit.  It’s been used for decades successfully and is the quintessential potted palm.  It also works well as a Kokedama.

 

Anthurium

Spectacular flowering indoor plant with hard red or pink flowers. An excellent air purifier for your home or office.

Light: Grows best indoors with good natural filtered light.
Watering: When ball is dry submerge thoroughly in water and drain.

 

Syngonium

Also known as Arrowhead or ‘White Butterfly’.  The pale cream and cream variegations are the most common, but there are also ruby, white and pink leaf forms, known as ‘Pink Perfection’, ‘Snow Queen’ and ‘Neon’.

Light: this is one of the easiest plants to grow, and will live happily inside bathrooms and other low light areas, as well as shaded areas outside. 

Watering: Syngoniums will grow in water, but also can dry out between drinks, they are so adaptable.  Ideally, submerge your Kokedama ball and allow it to drain when the ball feels light.