Kokedamas are a traditional Japanese potting method, in which one wraps the roots of a plant in various moisture-retaining materials. Kokedama - meaning “moss ball” in Japanese - probably originated from a lack of arable land leading to farmers’ needing creative ways to use all of their space. Hanging a ball of moss was a practical way for many poorer Japanese to cultivate more plants. Later on, the Wabi-sabi aesthetic movement would adopt the Kokedama and make it famous throughout the world as an art form. A variety of plants can survive for decades in this state.

Watering a Kokedama is not like watering most other plants. Generally, giving water to the Kokedama from above is not an effective way to get moisture to the plant and its roots. The best way for a Kokedama to receive water is to be submerged up to the mid-point of the moss ball in a shallow bowl of water (if you filter the water first, even better!) This can be done more frequently or less frequently, depending on the specific species of plant in the Kokedama. This might be once per week, twice per month, or as little as once per month.

Kokedamas need very little fertilizer as well. Our plants should not require any fertilizer for roughly four years after purchase.