How to Make a Hanging Kokedama String Garden

FROM:Good Housekeeping

Take your green thumb to new heights with these trendy Japanese planters.

Kokedama, which literally means "moss ball" in Japanese, are a type of bonsai that not only look adorable but also are an easy DIY project to tackle in one afternoon. We had Robynne Heymans and Mike Madden, owners of Embark Garden, a New York-based plant design company, share their tips for how to make these hanging planters in five simple steps.

How to Make a Kokedama

 Start With:

    Bonsai soil
    Peat moss
    Water
    Small plant
    Sheet moss (preserved or living)
    String

Heymans recommends using organic products when possible to avoid chemical additives. You can find peat moss and bonsai soil at most nurseries, hydroponic stores, or hardware stores that sell orchids.

Erin Phraner

Recommended Plants:

    Waffle plant
    Balfour Aralia
    Pothos
    Philodendron
    Asparagus fern
    Staghorn fern
    Polka Dot plant
    Bird's Nest fern
    "Rex" Begonia

 Plants to Avoid:

    Flowering plants (such as orchids)
    Succulents
    Maidenhair fern
    Ming Aralia

STEP 1: Mix half bonsai soil and half peat moss and stir in enough water until damp.

STEP 2: Form a ball around plant roots with the soil mixture.

STEP 3: Wrap with sheet moss. 

STEP 4: Wrap and tie with string.

STEP 5: Attach another loop of string to hang.

Mist daily or place on a tray of pebbles and water for humidity.

Water once every three to five days depending on the amount of light and humidity in your home.

When the ball dries out or becomes slightly lighter it's time to water again. Don't wait until the leaves droop!

Water under a tap or in a shallow bowl of water until ball feels heavy. Allow to drip in sink before hanging it up again.

Place your kokedama directly in a north-facing window or two to three feet from a south, west, or east-facing window. They need bright, indirect light to grow.

Keep away from the radiator in winter.

Clip off any dead leaves.

Expect to repot once every year or two as the plant grows.