A Comprehensive Guide To Preserved Moss And Moss Art

ADD THE WOW FACTOR TO YOUR BIOPHILIC DESIGN PROJECTS WITH PRESESRVED MOSSES:

Natural Beauty Sustainably Sourced Natural Raw Materials Biodegradable Zero Maintenance Long-lasting

Preserved moss is proving to be a versatile and sustainable decorative material that is taking the interior design world by storm thanks to its dual appeal of natural aesthetics and practicality. It has captured the imagination of interior designers, visual merchandisers, businesses, and hobbyists alike.

So, whether you are a seasoned enthusiast or a curious beginner, this guide will equip you with the knoledge and techniques needed to harness the full potential of preserved moss in your projects.

What Is Preserved Moss?

Preserved moss is harvested from nature, typically from forest floors or dedicated moss farms and undergoes a unique preservation process to help retain its colour, texture, and soft, malleable quality for longer without the worry of ongoing maintenance. Preserved moss should not be confused with dried moss, which is dehydrated. Dried moss has a crispier nature and will turn brown quite quickly before eventually disintegrating.

Our preserved moss products are all sustainably sourced and are specifically chosen for their quality, durability, and ability to retain colour and texture for years without maintenance. Not to mention the showstopping displays our clients create with them!

Biophilic Interior Design and the Role of Preserved Moss

The demands of modern life are making it increasingly difficult to juggle work, family, health, leisure, and wellbeing without compromise. Incorporating the beauty and benefits of nature into our indoor spaces has never been more crucial for our mental wellbeing. With this in mind, designers of both commercial and domestic interiors are incorporating the biophilia theory into their thinking more and more. Biophilia refers to the inherent human inclination to connect with nature and other forms of life. It suggests that many of us have a deep attraction to the natural world, which is rooted in our biology and genetic make-up. Derived from the Greek words for ‘life’ and ‘love or affection,’ its literal meaning is ‘love of life’.

Biophilic design is the design approach that seeks to help those occupying a property connect more closely to nature. Incorporating natural elements such as preserved moss into the building environment enhances wellbeing, health, and productivity. The goal is to create spaces that are more enjoyable, restorative, calm, and grounded by bringing nature into urban and indoor settings.

It’s not just moss either! Natural lighting, ventilation, water features, and the use of natural materials and textures all complement the principles of biophilic design. As well as our wide range of preserved moss, our clients also love our preserved foliage and flowers and air fern range (one of our bestsellers is Fern ‘Brilliance’), which all work well with moss art and moss wall designs. Air ferns are, in fact, a type of moss, and the product we stock is harvested from areas of the Thames Estuary!

The Benefits of Using Preserved Moss in your Design Project

Environmental and Health Benefits

Whilst the moss we sell at Atlas Flowers is real, it has been preserved, making it a sustainable option. It does not require ongoing resources like water and fertilisers and is completely biodegradable. 100% natural raw materials are used during production, and we sustainably source all our preserved moss for our clients. Plus, it is completely non-toxic, all dyes used on our preserved products are edible. Interestingly, we also supply our Reindeer Moss to some restaurants!
Preserved moss provides the freshness of natural plants but with the convenience of artificial. Amazingly, even though it doesn’t have roots, once preserved, it will continue to draw moisture and airborne particles (including dust) out of the air. It may not actively purify the air like live plants, but it doesn't produce allergens or mould either, contributing to a healthier indoor environment.
Bringing a touch of the outside into your everyday life can benefit both your mental and physical wellbeing. Adopting a biophilic interior design can reduce stress and anxiety levels, boost serotonin levels and in turn, improve your mood—ready to either be super productive or super chilled.

Aesthetic Appeal

Retains its natural texture and vibrant colour for longer, adding a natural feel to any space.
It can be used in various design elements, such as wall art, vertical gardens, furniture, and decorative accents.

Low Maintenance

Unlike live plants, preserved moss does not require watering or any kind of intricate water irrigation system installation, making it ideal for indoor settings where regular maintenance might be challenging.
It does not need sunlight to thrive either, allowing it to be used in spaces with little to no natural light.

Design Flexibility

Interior designers are able to shape and mould the moss thanks to its astonishing malleability, allowing them to create handcrafted, bespoke, three-dimensional pieces of art or designs of any size, whether that is a large feature wall in a restaurant or hotel lobby, wall coverage for an entire office, or a small, framed moss picture.
Preserved moss comes in a variety of textures and can be dyed and shaped to fit specific needs, making it highly customisable from a design perspective. It is perfect for use in tight corners and curves, and for creating a high impact focal point on an otherwise blank wall without using up precious floor space.
Its lightweight nature and ease of installation make it suitable for various surfaces and applications.

Longevity

Depending on its environment, position, sunlight exposure, and how well it is cared for, preserved moss can last for years without losing its aesthetic appeal, making it a cost-effective solution for long-term projects.
It is not prone to pest infestations, unlike live plants.

Acoustic Benefits

The beautiful natural textures of preserved moss are extremely tactile and lightweight and it’s these same springy structures that not only look great, but act as natural sound-absorbers, helping to reduce noise levels and improve acoustics in a room or busy open plan office.

Cost-Effective

The minimal maintenance required translates to lower upkeep costs over time, making it an economically viable option for many projects.

Types of Moss

As specialist suppliers of preserved, dried, and artificial flowers, foliage, and plants, we love nothing more than pairing our clients up with quality materials for their biophilic designs and installations. In order to find the right match, it is important to understand some of the different types of moss and their characteristics. Similarities between these non-vascular plants are that they are typically found in moist, shaded environments and play important roles in ecosystems, such as preventing soil erosion and retaining moisture. With approximately 12,000 to 15,000 species of moss, it would be impossible to cover them all in this guide, but here are some of the common moss types that can be preserved:

Reindeer Moss

Aptly named as this type of moss is commonly found on the forest floors of Norway and is fed as a special treat for reindeer, caribou, and moose. Our clients are huge fans of preserved Reindeer moss for its bushy and sponge-like look and feel. Its various green shades are beautifully decorative on their own. However, reindeer moss can be enhanced with non-toxic dyes to create a multitude of bolder colours, making this moss the true star of biophilic design. Its ability to create stunning accents in moss wall designs, coupled with its availability in mixed sizes and trays, makes it a popular choice for interior designers.

Preserved Ball Moss (AKA Bun Moss, Pole Moss, Mood Moss)

Unlike reindeer moss, preserved ball moss is only available in shades of green. However, its vibrant and modern appearance has made it the moss of choice for architects and designers working on green wall projects.

Ball moss is much more ‘short haired’ variety but boasts a firmer, flocked feel with some differing textures available. Great for adding depth to moss walls and other projects. It boasts a thick, lush, and cushiony texture, which is very tactile and therefore pleasing to the touch. It typically designs a vibrant green colour, which can vary slightly depending on the environment and lighting. Designers and architects are drawn to its rich, clumpy texture that adds a 3D effect, stand out colour, and depth to moss walls and other green installations. It has that natural, earthy look for enhancing the organic feel of a space.

Preserved Sheet Moss

Sheet moss is loved for its soft, velvety texture that forms a dense, caret-like mat. It is typically bright to deep green in colour and tends to grow flat and spreads out, forming a continuous sheet-like layer, hence its name.

It's ideal for covering large areas or for creating a continuous green surface, it can be used for moss walls, moss pictures, or even furniture accents. It pairs well with other types of moss, such as reindeer or mood moss, to achieve layered and textured designs.

Spanish Moss

Preserved Spanish (Tillandsia) moss is a staple for event displays, home decor, wall art and other design projects. It grows in beautifully long swirly strands, which makes it the perfect complement to floral displays that require length and depth and need a good hanging product. We can source in its natural colour as well as a variety of enhanced colours to match your colour scheme. Like our other preserved moss varieties, Spanish moss is also durable and reliable to provide long-lasting beauty

Moss Wall Art

Combining different types of moss can create amazing design effects. From the velvety texture of sheet moss that provides a classic mossy look, to the 3D effect of clumpy mood moss combined with the showstopping colours and sponge-like feel of reindeer moss. Slotting in some air ferns and some other well-placed foliage can also transform your work of moss art.

Moss walls and moss wall art are the most talked about and widely used examples of moss art in contemporary design. Let’s take a closer look at each example:

Moss Walls

Moss walls create an instant feature in any indoor environment. On top of their stunning visual appeal, moss walls require minimal maintenance and do wonders for your mental and physical wellbeing, and productivity.

Image: Moss wall at Malin+Goetz store in Brewer Street, London

Check out our Malin & Goetz case study - a company wanting biophilic design at the heart of their flagship store with a huge moss wall as the centrepiece

How long do Moss Walls last?

Naturally preserved moss and plants maintain their soft textures, intricate natural details and vibrant colours for many years if you adhere to the following guidelines:

Preserved moss should only be used indoors.
Do not place in humid or wet environments.
Avoid direct sunlight as this will accelerate color fading.
Its appealing tactile nature can make it enticing to touch – avoid damage by placing it out of reach from curious hands.
Can be repaired or tidied in the unlikely event it needs a little maintenance.

How to make a Moss Wall

Every job is different when it comes to installations, but the most tried and tested technique for making moss walls involves using plywood or a similar lightweight, durable, and flat sheet. The different types of mosses are then glued into place using hot glue. We recommend making a small sketch and planning your wall before starting – it can be useful to set the different moss types and colours in place before securing them to the board.

The image below shows the production of a moss wall that was produced for the Malin+Goetz store in Brewer Street, London (see finished installation above):

Image: Production of the moss wall at the Malin + Goertz store in London

Moss Pictures

If you don’t want to dedicate an entire wall to moss art, try adding some framed moss pictures to your interiors instead. This works well whether you have a small or large space to show off and add a subtle touch of biophilia to your home or office.

Image: Biophilic Moss Art

Helpful FAQ

The preserved moss we stock comes from a handful of carefully selected producers around the world, all of whom operate diligently to protect the natural habitats that the moss grows in. They produce all their own mosses, some of which is propagated in controlled conditions, cultivated using artificial domestication and harvested from lush natural forest habitats.

All the preserved moss and flowers we stock come from sustainable cultivation and harvesting practices that prioritize eco-friendly methods, focusing on environmental protection and soil and water conservation. This includes using natural preservatives and avoiding harmful chemicals.

A smaller carbon footprint – preserved moss and flowers require no ongoing cultivation or transportation, resulting in significantly lower carbon emissions compared to living plants.
Extended lifespan – the longer lifespan of preserved moss and flowers eliminates the need for frequent replacements and therefore lowers the environmental impact associated with continual production of fresh flowers.
Sustainably cultivated – we only use preserved products that have been sustainably cultivated and harvested.
Less waste generation – thanks again to their longevity and methods of use, less waste is generated when using preserved moss and flora.

Moss is carefully hand-picked from a sustainable source.
Mosses are firstly cleaned of natural forest materials and then sprayed to eliminate bacteria and pests.
The moss then begins the preserving process using human-friendly, non-toxic materials.
Some producers favour immersion processing whereas others will spray the mosses, both of which are equally effective.
The preserving processes are carried out in carefully controlled temperature and pressurized conditions.
All chemical substances used are non-toxic, non-corrosive, non-explosive, will not react to chemicals nor are they in any way carcinogenic, so they present no threat to human health during normal use.
Natural and edible colour dyes are used.
Anti-mildew, anti-damp application is applied.
Any fire-retardant application is applied.
The moss then goes through a stringent quality check before being left to dry naturally.
The process should follow the guideline of international safety and human-friendly guidelines, and our producers have achieved various international certifications, such as ISO environmental certification
The preservation process usually requires 18-21 days

Wherever possible, we work with all suppliers to reduce the use of plastics in all packaging, with the target to be 100% plastic free by year end 2025. It isn’t always as easy as it seems – environmentally friendly cost-effective packaging is a bit of an oxymoron but is becoming more and more achievable as packaging companies switch over to recycled and recyclable materials.

Our moss products are packaged in recyclable card boxes which protects them in transit and allows the product to ‘breathe’, which is necessary to prevent mould forming. This can be caused when the products are subjected to any moisture and/or humid conditions.

Whilst no watering, trimming, or touching is required, occasionally, gently wipe with a feather duster or blow with a hair dryer (using cool air, low speed, and from a moderate distance) to remove dust from the moss.
Preserved moss is for indoor use only.
Store/display in a dry environment with temperatures between 60-85°F.
Avoid crushing or compression.
Protect from direct sunlight and strong indirect sunlight. Ideally, use UV controlled windows for indoor strong direct sunlight.
Keep humidity levels between 40% and 80%.
Maintain a minimum distance of 48” between the artwork and heat-emitting lights.

In conclusion, sourcing high-quality preserved moss is essential to creating stunning and long-lasting moss art displays. Whether you're looking for bulk or wholesale materials, partnering with a trusted supplier is key to ensuring the best results. Atlas Flowers stands out as a leading expert in providing top tier preserved moss and other preserved, artificial and dried materials, helping you craft vibrant and enduring works of moss art. With the right products and support, your moss creations can thrive and captivate for years to come.