Racomitrium japonicum Moss Wall Terrarium with a Mini Fogger: Photos, Build Notes & Video Tutorial

This project is a moss wall.

The glass terrarium I used has a front opening, and it does not have a door. So it does not hold humidity at all.

I will first explain how I made it, and then I will explain why I made it this way.

Plants: Racomitrium japonicum, Fittonia, and CaladiumRocks: lava rockMain material: expanding foamOther materials: sphagnum moss and red clay

How I made it:

The building tutorial video will be posted later.

Step 1

Lay the terrarium flat.

Add expanding foam to the back wall, then place lava rocks near the bottom area. Make sure to avoid the cable hole at the back.

At the very bottom, place one lava rock with a hole in it. The hole should face upward.

After the expanding foam dries, cut it with a knife. Cut grooves into the foam. Also cut away the extra foam between the lava rocks at the bottom.

You only need to cut out the rough shape with a knife. Then use your fingers to pick off small pieces of foam little by little to get a more natural texture. This will create a more natural surface.

Step 2

On the raised edges of the foam, add drops of aquascape quick-drying glue. Then sprinkle red clay powder over it. If you have extra lava rock powder, that would work even better.

The purpose of this step is to make the exposed foam look more natural and match the red lava rocks better.

Step 3

In the grooves of the foam, apply a mud made from red clay and water.

Then press the moss directly onto the grooves.

Step 4

Clean out the cable hole in the back glass panel.

Pass the fogger cable through the hole.

Step 5

Find a small plastic nursery pot. A small pot that comes with a plant is fine.

Cut off about one-fifth of the bottom and side wall of the pot.

Wrap the roots of the Fittonia with sphagnum moss. Place the Fittonia into the plastic pot, then insert the pot into the cable hole area.

This helps cover the hole and hide the fogger cable.

Step 6

Wrap the roots of the Caladium with sphagnum moss.

Then place it into the hole of the lava rock at the bottom.

Step 7

Add small lava rock pieces to the bottom of the container.

Then add two slightly larger rocks to help keep the fogger in the position you want.

Add water and turn on the fogger.

Adjust the position of the fogger so the mist can reach the top of the moss wall.

Key point:

Why did I choose a fogger? Why didn’t I make a waterfall?

At first, I planned to make a waterfall.

But in this project, I used Racomitrium japonicum. A waterfall would not be very useful for watering this moss. A fogger is perfect for it.

It is summer now, and indoor air-conditioned rooms can be dry. A fogger can help add humidity to the air.

Also, this kind of fogger is cheap and very easy to find online. If it stops working, just replace it easily.

I only need to move the Fittonia aside to change the fogger. It is very simple.

I did not want to make this project too complicated.

This terrarium has already been finished for about one month.

Here is so'me update:

I need to add water about evesomery two days.

What if you go on vacation?

Just cover the front opening with plastic wrap. Then turn on the fogger. The mist will stay inside the terrarium and will not escape. It should be fine for one or two weeks.

The Fittonia has grown a lot.

The Caladium has also grown.

The water has stayed clear.