In This Article Expand

  • How to Grow
  • Light
  • Soil
  • Water
  • Temperature and Humidity
  • Fertilizer
  • Propagating
  • Growing From Seeds
  • Common Pests

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Irish Moss (Sagina subulata) is a low-maintenance floor cover this is ideal for use in rock gardens, between pavers, at the edges of a course, and as a low-footfall, confined place lawn substitute.

This lush and low-developing evergreen perennial resembles moss, however it is certainly part of the Carnation circle of relatives (Caryophyllaceae) and has a good deal special developing requirements.

Sometimes known as Pearlwort, it is regularly burdened with a comparable, but much less not unusual species known as Scotch Moss (Arenaria verna). While alike, Irish Moss stays a vibrant green in the course of the yr and Scotch Moss has a more golden shade.

When in bloom, both kinds have little white flowers. The Irish Moss variety are solitary, whereas the ones located on Scotch Moss appear in clusters.

How to Grow Irish Moss

Irish Moss, not like actual moss species, does not do well in complete shade and wet situations.

Conversely, it also doesn't appreciate intense warmth. It likes a sunny or partial colour position, but intense warmness isn't always appropriate for this ground cowl.

In the right conditions, though, this plant grows nicely and adds a wealthy and dense unfold of shade to your lawn.

Light

Irish Moss grows exceptional in complete solar or partial color. If it is in a very shady function, it could bring about the plant losing some of its compact pleasant, and much less attractive mounds can broaden.

Soil

Irish Moss doesn't do nicely if the soil will become water-logged. It certainly desires to be properly-drained.

This species prefers a decent fine soil, but it is able to develop in sandy, loamy and chalky varieties. You might also want to feature natural be counted to assist it live on in areas where the summers are hot and dry, or if the soil isn't mainly fertile.

Water

It may be elaborate to get the watering levels right with Irish Moss. If you pass too some distance either manner, it may bring about brown patches growing. It is not drought-tolerant, and it cannot cope with overly soggy conditions. Regular, however no longer deep watering is pleasant for Irish Moss.

Temperature and Humidity

Irish Moss is fully hardy in USDA Zones five to 9. This groundcover is not at its pleasant while planted in regions of intensely hot and dry summers, and this kind of weather can result in the dense green shades turning an unattractive burnt brown. Usually, once the climate cools in the fall, the moss reverts to its everyday colour once more.

The warm afternoon sun of the south manner a negative placement for Irish Moss..

Fertilizer

Using a slow-release fertilizer annually inside the springtime can assist the plant develop to a tidy uniform one inch peak. Under ideal situations every plant will speedy growth to cowl a selection of approximately 9 inches.

However, if Irish Moss gets too much nitrogen due to overfertilization, it could result in an abnormal increase pattern giving the moss the advent of undulating as opposed to having a compact and coffee-growing form.

Propagating Irish Moss

You can without difficulty elevate out a whole clump and divide to replant, or you could reduce a strip from an present segment. Just ensure that the sections you replant have decent roots attached.

If you're dividing flora to cowl a huge region and need to top off a huge space quickly, plant several divisions close together in the identical region.

If your Irish Moss is forming less appealing mounds, and stepping them down is not running, these can be cut to save you overcrowding. You may want to always transplant those cuttings to different regions or use them to replace sections that can be overly brown.

Growing From Seeds

Seeds can be grown interior during the winter season and then transplanted outside after the final of the frosts. Alternatively, you can sow them directly into the ground inside the spring. Plant them around 12 inches apart to save you overcrowding.

Make positive you preserve the soil wet at some stage in the germination duration. The seeds also want respectable mild for germination, so provide them only a mild masking of soil.

In the right conditions, Irish Moss self-seeds without difficulty. But, if it starts offevolved to grow unwanted mainly areas, it's far an smooth plant to remove.

Common Pests

Irish Moss is quite pest and disorder-loose. It can, but, be attractive to slugs.1?

Related Topics

  • Perennials

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  1. Irish and Scotch Moss, Sagina subulata and Arenaria verna. University of Wisconsin Horticulture Extension.

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