How to Grow Spanish Moss

Co-authored by Rachel Guffey and Janice Tieperman

Last Updated: February 22, 2024

Spanish moss is a versatile plant known for hanging on tree branches. If you’re looking for a low-maintenance, all-natural decoration for your fence or yard, then you might be in luck! Start by growing the moss indoors or in a greenhouse, allowing the plant to take shape. Next, scope out your property for a place to drape your moss, like a tree branch or fence. Once you’ve placed your moss in a sturdy location, continuously spritz over the plant with lukewarm water to help it thrive. Enjoy adding this new decorum to your home!

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:

Propagating the Seeds

1
Check your local nursery for Spanish moss seeds. Start growing Spanish moss in a separate location before dangling it over your trees, trellises, and patio overhangs. Look for tiny seeds that belong to the “bromeliaceae” family. Purchase however many seeds you’ll need to cover your desired surface.
- You can also purchase these seeds online.
- Naturally, Spanish moss is found near rivers, estuaries, swamps, and other coastal areas. If any trees or shrubs border a water source (e.g., pond, stream), you might want to consider planting your moss there.^{[1]
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2
Place your seeds on a tray or other flat surface. Don’t worry about planting Spanish moss seeds in soil—this plant is versatile, and can grow without any support. Keep this tray in an area with limited sunlight; while you don’t want the seeds to get scorched, you also don’t want them to grow in complete darkness.^{[2]
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- A greenhouse is a great place to grow Spanish moss seeds.
- The growing environment should be between 60 to 70 °F (16 to 21 °C).
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3
Spray your seeds daily with lukewarm water. Fill a spray bottle with lukewarm water and spray a fine mist over your seeds once each day. Aim to cover the surface of the seeds with water, without soaking them in the process. Continue spraying the seeds even as they start growing into threads.^{[3]
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- Keep these seeds in a partially lit environment as you continue to water them.
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Part 2

Part 2 of 3:

Transplanting the Moss

Check around your property for deciduous (leafy) trees with long, thick branches. Try to find branches that are at least 2 to 3 inches (5.1 to 7.6 cm), or look stable enough to hold a long, draping plant. Avoid arranging the moss seeds on any thin, twig-like branches, as these probably won’t hold the moss properly.^{[4]
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Did you know? Spanish moss isn’t actually a moss—it’s a fibrous plant that can grow almost anywhere, which is where its name comes from.

Contrary to popular belief, Spanish moss isn’t naturally harmful to other plants in any way. The moss only damages trees by weighing them down too much, so don’t place too much on a single branch.^{[5]
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2
Look for an open fence or trellis if there are no trees. Be on the lookout for any sturdy, flat area attached to your home that could house the plant. While Spanish moss is most commonly known for hanging on trees, you can easily grow it over a fence or trellis, as long as nothing is already growing there.
- Check that the fence is sturdy, and not rotting.
3
Move the formed Spanish moss to a tree, fence, or trellis. Take the plant and drape it your desired area, allowing it to balance naturally in the outdoors. Make sure that you don’t place too much on a single spot, as Spanish moss can create a heavy weight when it’s fully grown.^{[6]
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- Only transplant Spanish moss to deciduous trees. This plant doesn’t naturally grow in places where coniferous trees grow.
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Part 3

Part 3 of 3:

Caring for Your Spanish Moss

1
Keep your moss in area between 60 to 70 °F (16 to 21 °C). While your moss doesn’t have to be super regulated, check that your plant is in a well-shaded area. Aim for your moss to get partial sunlight throughout the day, but not enough for the plant to stop growing. Perform an outdoor temperature check with a thermometer to make sure that the moss is growing in a moist, lukewarm area.^{[7]
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- While you don’t have to be a stickler about the temperature, you don’t want to keep your moss in 80 to 90 °F (27 to 32 °C) conditions.
- Don’t grow Spanish moss if you live in a hot climate, as this plant needs moist conditions to survive.
- Since Spanish moss absorbs water, it won’t die in super hot conditions; however, it also won’t continue to grow.
2
Spray the moss every other day with lukewarm water. Fill a bottle with lukewarm water and spritz it over the surface of your plant. You don’t need to get the moss dripping wet—instead, wet the surface so the moss is moist. Try doing this once every other day, so the plants stays consistently damp.^{[8]
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- If your moss seems especially dry after 1 day, feel free to spray it sooner.
3
Trim thick patches of Spanish moss on tree branches. Use gardening shears to cut away especially thick portions dangling over tree branches. While excessive moss isn’t an issue for trellises and overhangs, these plants might make your tree branches heavy, causing them to splinter and break. Keep an eye on your Spanish moss throughout the summer months, and trim the plant as needed.^{[9]
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- You won’t have to worry about this as much when the weather gets colder and drier.
- If you live in a tropical climate, your Spanish moss might last year-round!
- If there’s too much moss on your tree, you might need to remove several clumps of it altogether.^{[10]
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Expert Q&A

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Can you keep Spanish moss as a houseplant?

Rachel Guffey
Plant Specialist
Rachel Guffey is a Plant Specialist and the Owner of Jungle House, a house plant shop based in Lawrence, Kansas. She specializes in plant education and caring for indoor plants. Rachel is passionate about using plants to help combat seasonal depression. She aims to make plants feel more accessible and approachable to everyone. Rachel has owned over 500 plants at one time.

Rachel Guffey

Plant Specialist

Expert Answer

Sure! That said, I think the most common mistake folks make when growing moss is not providing enough even moisture and bright light. Mist your moss pals really well but do not let the container have any standing water in your base layer. If not provided enough light, your moss will brown and may go dormant. Don’t toss it just yet! Give the moss more light and frequent misting and see if it begins to green up again within a few days! Good luck with your moss!

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