Christmas moss

Care at a glance

Overview

Tie or glue it to wood, rock, or mesh and it will grip on its own within a few weeks, since it has no real roots. It does fine in low light with no CO2, but added CO2 and moderate light produce the dense, layered triangular fronds it is known for. Growth is slow, so trim occasionally to keep airflow through the mat and rinse out trapped debris, which is the main cause of browning and algae deep inside the cushion.

In the wild

A creeping moss widely spread through the Asian tropics, where it grows mostly emersed on moist, shaded riverbanks and damp forest soil. It tolerates being fully submersed in soft, slightly acidic to neutral freshwater, which is how it is used in the hobby.

Good to know

Vesicularia montagnei is a true moss (Bryophyta) in the family Hypnaceae, not a liverwort. The 'Christmas' name comes from its regular, drooping side branches that resemble fir or Christmas tree fronds. It is frequently confused with and sold as Vesicularia dubyana (the old name long applied to Java moss); V. dubyana branches more loosely and irregularly with shorter, narrower leaves.

Did you know

Because its fronds branch in a flat, overlapping plane, Christmas moss is a favorite for moss walls and 'tree' scapes, where the layered branches read as miniature foliage from across the room.

Related plants

• 

  Singapore moss

  Vesicularia dubyana

  Low lightEpiphyte2 in (5 cm)

• 

  Weeping moss

  Vesicularia ferriei

  Low lightEpiphyte2 in (5 cm)
• Erect moss

  Vesicularia reticulata

  Medium lightEpiphyte2 in (5 cm)
• Peacock moss

  Taxiphyllum sp. 'Peacock'

  Low lightEpiphyte2 in (5 cm)
• Spiky moss

  Taxiphyllum sp. 'Spiky'

  Low lightEpiphyte2 in (5 cm)
• Flame moss

  Taxiphyllum sp. 'Flame'

  Low lightEpiphyte3.1 in (8 cm)