The kokedama It's much more than a simple decorative technique: it's a philosophy that unites nature, Japanese tradition, and design into a single living piece. It's a plant grown in a ball of moss, which, instead of using a traditional pot, allows the essence of each plant to organically integrate into your space.
Proper kokedama care is essential to keep them healthy, beautiful, and long-lived. In this article, you'll find a detailed and up-to-date guide on all the essentials. kokedama care, from its location to fertilization, including the best species, irrigation, and maintenance techniques for a consistently fresh look.
Where to place your kokedama?
La Location is key for the healthy development of any kokedama. There are outdoor and indoor plants, each with specific light, temperature, and humidity requirements. Before deciding on the ideal location, check the plant species your kokedama has to adjust its environment to its specific requirements.
- Avoid direct sunlight over the moss ball, as it could dry out and damage the roots. Look for spaces where light is abundant but filtered, such as near a window with translucent curtains.
- Protect your kokedama from cold or hot drafts that can alter their moisture balance.
Outdoor Kokedamas
If your kokedama is intended for outdoors, choose a location protected from direct sunlight, avoiding exposure during the central hours of the day. An ideal location is to hang them under the branches of a deciduous tree, where they'll receive light shade during the summer, and in winter, with no leaves on the tree, they'll receive moderate and beneficial sun exposure.
Indoor Kokedamas
For indoor kokedamas, choose bright rooms away from intense sunlight, such as shelves next to north- or east-facing windows, where the light is indirect. You can place them on a windowsill, table, or even hang them. If the room is very dry, create a microclimate by humidifying the base where the ball rests, for example, using a container with stones and water. without the ball touching the water. This way, evaporation will maintain humidity around the kokedama.
- Avoid placing the kokedama near heaters, radiators, or air conditioners, as drafts can dry out the plant and moss.
What species are recommended for kokedama?
Not all plants are suitable for the kokedama technique. There are species that prosper easily and maintain a healthy appearance, while others, such as succulents or cacti, tend to deteriorate quickly.
- Ideal: Peperomias, palm hearts, chamaedorea, ficus ginseng, pachira, areca, philodendro, guembe, azalea, erica, palo de agua, spathiphyllum, clerodendron, yucca, kalanchoe, cordyline, calathea, among other indoor species that tolerate high humidity.
- Not recommendedCactus and succulents, due to their low water requirements and the high moisture retention of moss. Nor do outdoor plants that don't tolerate frequent drying or full sun.
Watering kokedamas: the key to their longevity
El Irrigation is the main aspect to take care of in the life of a kokedama. This technique is based on the complete immersion of the moss ball in water, which allows the roots to absorb the necessary moisture without saturating them.
- Fill a large bowl with water, preferably chlorine-free.
- Submerge the moss ball completely and wait for the bubbles to stop forming (approx. 5-10 minutes).
- Remove the ball and let the excess water drain without squeezing the moss, so as not to damage the roots.
Irrigation frequency It will depend on the season and the plant species. As a general guide:
- Spring and summer: 3 to 4 times per week, or whenever your ball feels lighter.
- Fall and winter: reduce to 1 or 2 times per week, as evaporation is lower.
Always check the ball weight: If it feels light or the moss is dry to the touch, it's time to water. Don't forget to check the specific information for your plant if you purchased it in a specialized store.
Ambient humidity and spraying
Kokedamas benefit from a Humid climate, since moss loses moisture in dry spaces, especially indoors with heating or air conditioning. There are several ways to maintain the ideal humidity:
- Spraying on the ball and leaves (only if the species allows it) every 2-3 days in dry environments. Some plants don't tolerate direct spraying on their foliage; consult their preferences.
- Place the kokedama on damp stones or near containers of water, but without the moss coming into direct contact with the liquid.
- Group several kokedamas together to create a small, humid microclimate between them.
Touch the moss regularly: if it's rough or losing color, it needs more moisture. In very dry environments, increase the frequency of misting.
Maintaining moss on kokedama
El moss is essential For the aesthetics and health of your kokedama, spray the moss to preserve its vibrant texture and color. If the moss decomposes or loses its color over time, you can add a new layer following the same method used in the original creation.
Don't handle the kokedama from the plant: always lift it from the moss ball to avoid damaging the roots. If the moss has deteriorated, surround the ball with new moss to restore protection and a natural appearance.
Fertilization and fertilization: nutrients for your kokedama
Although the kokedama substrate contains nutrients at the beginning, it is necessary to replace them within a few months to maintain the plant's vitality. You can learn more about other techniques at how to grow plants without a pot.
- Starting 2-3 months after purchase, add liquid fertilizer diluted in the irrigation water approximately once a month during the growing season (usually spring-summer). Use liquid worm castings or organic fertilizers rich in macronutrients (N, P, K, S, Ca, Mg) and essential micronutrients (Fe, Cu, Zn).
- Avoid fertilizing during winter or other periods when the plant enters dormancy unless the species requires it.
- Never exceed the dosage recommended by the manufacturer to avoid root damage.
Appearance and pruning of your kokedama
To maintain the aesthetic appearance and stimulate regrowth, perform regular pruning: For indoor plants, you can consult the specific techniques at .
- Cut off any dry branches, yellow leaves, or damaged areas with clean scissors.
- In flowering species, remove withered flowers to encourage new flowering.
- Don't handle the kokedama from its plant; always pick it up from the moss ball.
Additional tips and recommendations for healthy kokedamas
- Observing your kokedama in its first few days in its location is key to detecting whether it requires more or less light or humidity.
- Rotating the sphere occasionally helps promote symmetrical growth and prevents the moss from deteriorating on one side only.
- The kokedama technique doesn't last forever: after about a year, it may be necessary to recondition the sphere, replacing the moss or part of the substrate.
Bringing the art of kokedama into your home means immersing yourself in the natural beauty and serenity of Japan, filling your spaces with life. Now you have all the tools and tips to care for and maintain your kokedamas in optimal condition. Enjoy the experience and consult with your garden center or kokedama specialists whenever you need to, to ensure each specimen grows healthy and radiant for a long time.
