Building Stunning Moss Terrariums: A Step-by-Step Guide

Moss terrariums are a beautiful way to bring nature indoors. In this blog, I will share my experiences in creating moss walls, choosing the right plants, and maintaining their health. I will also provide step-by-step instructions, photos, and videos to guide you through the process.

Creating Corner Moss Terrariums

Recently, I made two moss walls in response to requests from my followers. Both were planted inside right-angle glass terrariums using Leucobryum moss. I affectionately call this design the “corner greenhouse” because it fits perfectly in a room corner.

These photos were taken right after I finished building the terrariums. You can see the traces of pure red clay around the moss edges, which adds a unique touch.

The Simple Method

The method I used is straightforward. I will show you how to mix the red clay into a workable paste, spread it onto the glass, and attach the moss. You can find every step detailed in my video channel, linked below.

I created two versions of this corner-style moss wall. Clean, pure clay soil is incredibly useful for these builds. Watch my clay-mixing videos (scroll down to the bottom) to see how fine the clay soil is—almost like cooking flour or rice powder. If not for the color, you might think I was working with bread dough.

Red clay is naturally sticky. If you don’t need such strong adhesion—like when making a slope, or just want to keep the plants from wobbling—you can mix in other materials to reduce stickiness.

Important Tips for Working with Clay

Here are two important points that you might not notice just from the following video:

1. Store your prepared clay in a sealed bag to prevent moisture loss. One batch can last for two to three months.

2. When applying clay to glass, always keep a bowl of water beside you. Wet your hands before grabbing the clay to prevent it from sticking to your fingers.

   
   

I will continue to film and share updates as the terrariums grow.

The First Moss Wall

This is the first moss wall I created. It is “floating,” with the clay applied directly onto the glass surface. After the clay layer was in place, I added wood at the bottom. The moss was laid first, and only after that did I pour in the volcanic rock and plant two Fittonia, whose roots are tucked into the gravel.

Video Tutorial

For a detailed tutorial on how to plant moss on glass with clay soil, check out my video here.

The Second Moss Wall

This is the second corner moss terrarium I created, and this time I used stones. Using stones as the structural “bones” of a terrarium is very different from using wood.

The Difference Between Wood and Stones

Wood is light and can be easily secured into the soil. However, stones are heavy and must be properly secured. For this build, I used three pieces of Seiryu stone.

When building with stones, you can either glue them in place or rely on their weight to keep them secure. Since I chose large, heavy pieces, glue wasn’t an option.

First, I selected the stones, adjusted their angles, and placed the main stone at the base. I then used two smaller stones to wedge it tightly, ensuring it wouldn’t move inside the terrarium. After that, I filled in the planting substrate to stabilize the stones further.

No Glue Needed

No glue was used at any stage. However, this meant I had to keep the container upright while applying red clay. If I laid it flat, the stones might slip.

The planting substrate consisted of volcanic gravel, sphagnum moss, and akadama. For mounting the moss onto the glass, I still used red clay, which is why you can see traces of it along the edges of the moss.

This corner moss terrarium uses only Leucobryum moss. If you want to add a second moss species, consider replacing the bottom layer of Leucobryum with Plagiomnium cuspidatum, which can handle occasional water pooling.

Watering Tips

For watering, a small misting bottle is sufficient. I recommend a small cosmetic-style spray bottle that you pump by hand. Even if you spray with all your strength until your finger hurts, you won’t overwater it.

Building Video

For a visual guide on how to make a live moss corner, check out my building video here.

The Third Moss Wall

it is built the same way.

the large plant inside is: Lemon Lime Philodendron

building video:

update on 2025, Dec.:

How to Make Red Clay Dough

For those interested in making red clay dough, I have a video tutorial available here.

This video will guide you through the process of creating clay that sticks moss onto glass panels.

Creating moss terrariums is a rewarding experience. I hope my insights and tips help you in your journey to build beautiful moss walls. Remember, the right materials and techniques can make all the difference. Happy gardening!