Plant FAQs: Should I Grow a Moss Lawn? And If So, How?

This is something we’ve been asked a few times - since none of us have our own moss lawns, we’ve been doing our research. We’re looking forward to seeing how it works in practice, so tag us in your efforts and successes! (We’re @sproutsofbristol on Instagram)

As the awareness of the environmental impact of traditional grass lawns grows, more and more of us are looking for more sustainable options - today we’re asking if a moss lawn could be a viable alternative to a traditional grass lawn. Moss lawns can be eco-friendly and low-maintenance, and a lush green alternative to grass here in the UK. They are great for biodiversity, especially in comparison to that pristine monoculture of the traditional lawn. They don’t need mowing, and are great at staying green once they’re established in a good position. But it’s not automatically a good idea, everywhere, every time… read on to find out about the pros, cons and how-tos of moss lawns.

Why Choose a Moss Lawn? 

Choosing moss over grass can work really well, especially in shady, damp gardens where keeping a traditional grass lawn might be a struggle.

 1. Low Maintenance 

Once you’ve got it well-established, your moss will need  much less maintenance  than grass. It won’t need mowing, fertilising or extra watering - which makes it gentler on both your time and your local environment.

 2. Evergreen Appeal 

Moss  stays green all year , especially when it gets a consistent level of moisture - so you’ll have that lush green look season after season.

 3. Perfect for Shade and Damp Areas 

If you struggle to keep your grass lawn happy, it might be too  damp and shady  for it - and that’s exactly where moss will thrive! It’s ideal for areas shaded by buildings, trees or fences, especially when damp.

 4. Supports Local Biodiversity 

Because it doesn’t need maintaining with fertilisers, pesticides, or intensive watering, moss lawns can be way more  hospitable to wildlife . Moss can attract beneficial insects, birds, and even tiny invertebrates like tardigrades. This all helps it to improve soil health by allowing natural ecosystems to flourish.

 5. Drought Tolerant 

While you will need to keep your moss moist while it gets itself bedded in, once it’s established, it is  drought tolerant . Less watering - ideal for that low-effort, low-environmental-impact green lawn.

With so much to love about moss lawns, it’s easy to see why they might be growing in popularity. However, they aren’t perfect for every garden…

Challenges of a Moss Lawn

Before you turfout the grass and cedeall the space to moss, make sure you think about the potential challenges of growing moss, and whether it will suit the garden where you’d like to keep it. There are some places where it might not measure up to good ol’ grass…

 1. Limited Foot Traffic Tolerance 

Moss is a bit more delicate than grass, so it’s not as happy to be stepped all over as grass is. If you want to use your lawn lots, whether for a kickaround, playing fetch, or endless picnics, it might still be better to stick with grass. Moss is  not as quick to repair itself  when damaged, so it's better used for looking and not trampling all over.

 2. Moisture Needs 

If you’re in a particularly  dry or sunny  part of the country, moss might actually be too high-maintenance for you. It does need plenty of moisture to get itself established, and while it is drought resistant after that, it will suffer if there is a lot of sun, dry ground and little rain.

 3. Soil and pH Requirements 

It might seem like moss grows everywhere, but actually,  it has its niche . It likes its soil to be slightly acidic, with low nutrient content - so if you’re on particularly rich soil, or very alkaline, it can be more of a challenge. You might have to adjust your soil regularly to keep the moss happy, which does make it more challenging to maintain.

 4. Shade Dependence 

Moss is good at staying green - but too much sun risks  scorching it brown . If your garden gets a lot of intense midday sun, you might find your moss stressed and discoloured… in this case, grass may be the more tolerant option of the two. Shady and sheltered is best here.

 5. Slippery Surface When Wet 

You’ve found the perfect shady spot, it’s plenty moist, ideal for moss! But if you need to regularly walk in this area, it can present a hazard. Moss is slippery, especially when wet, so it’s always worth bearing in mind that it’s a  potential slip hazard . Especially near water features or on slopes. And if it gets too waterlogged, you can start to get issues with fungal growth and algae, so it really is important to  find a balance .

 6. Slower to Establish 

It takes time and patience to get your moss lawn well-established. Make sure you’re ready to give it  plenty of attention , stop foot traffic over it, and maybe give it a water or a mist in drier weather, just until it’s properly settled in.

If you decide that moss isn’t for you, you can still make your grass lawn more sustainable - why not look into growing some areas as a wildflower meadow, or taking part in no-mow May? You could also try low-maintenance ground covers like thyme, clover or other native, shade tolerant grasses. Making your lawn less of a grass monoculture will still be beneficial to your environment!

Tips for Establishing a Moss Lawn 

If your garden seems suitable for moss, here are some tips to get it started:

1.  Prepare the Area : Clear away any grass and weeds, then smooth out the soil. Moss can either be transplanted in patches or applied as a slurry (a blend of moss and buttermilk or water).

2.  Press and Water : Press down the moss to help it adhere to the soil, then mist it daily, especially in the first few weeks.

3.  Limit Traffic While Establishing : Avoid walking on your moss lawn until it’s fully established, as moss is especially fragile in the early stages.

 Keep Leaves Off : Gently clear away leaves or other debris regularly. This allows the moss to receive adequate moisture and light.

Sources 

For this blog post, we’ve been using some gardening general knowledge but have also relied on the RHS’ fantastic articles for the detail, alongside general horticultural guidance for the moss varieties we stock, and other UK-based gardening publications. If you’re looking for further reading, we’d recommend this article from the RHS - if you’re after more references or more specific information, get in touch and we can help recommend some other well-regarded horticultural sites.