Types of moss: You should know these 5

Nothing happens without moss – moss can also be a real enrichment in the garden. You can find out which types are particularly decorative here.

Mosses do not have a good reputation in the garden world: this group of plants is often regarded as a weed that causes trouble, especially in lawns, and has to be removed at great expense. In fact, the diverse plants can also be used decoratively in the garden and impress with their easy-care nature. The diversity of the plant group, which is said to number more than 1,000 species in Germany alone, makes them a beautiful addition to the garden. In the traditional Japanese Zen Gardens one even goes so far that moss is used as the only plant. You can find out here which types of moss are particularly decorative and therefore suitable for the garden.

1. Golden Maidenhair Moss

Many people think of small, herbaceous plants when they think of mosses. The Golden Maidenhair Moss (

Polytrichum commune) does not fit into this picture at all: The plant can reach a height of up to half a meter - making it one of the giants among the mosses found here. The golden maidenhair moss prefers a moist and slightly acidic substrate, which is why it is ideal for bog beds. The plant proves itself with its red-orange spore cases and its star-shaped leaves quickly as a real eye-catcher and also provides an optimal base for many other moor plants represent.

2. silver moss

Even if his name is not particularly well known - the Silbermoos (Bryum argenteum) almost everyone has. The small plant is characterized by its particular hardness and adaptability, so that it one of the most common mosses in inner cities and prefers to be found in the cracks of asphalt or on rocks grows. In the garden, the silvery-green moss is particularly suitable for greening joints and looks extremely decorative, especially in combination with natural stone. The small plant proves to be particularly hard-wearing and easily survives longer periods of drought.

3. fountain liverwort

Hardly any moss is as widespread as fountain liverwort (Marchantia polymorpha). The species occurs almost everywhere from the arctic regions to the rainforest and is considered to be extremely flexible. The fountain liverwort does not need specific soil and light conditions, nor does it react to air pollution or heavy metals. A certain basic moisture alone must be available for the cultivation of the liverwort. In the garden, the species is characterized by its fleshy, green leaves and its small breeding cups, which make the plant a real ornament. However, the plant owes its unusual name to its healing abilities: it used to be used against all sorts of things It was used for liver problems, but today it is used to treat fungal diseases due to its strong fungicidal effect deployed.

4. white moss

Whether in nativity scenes or flower arrangements - the white moss (Leucobryum glaucum) is one of the most widely used moss species when it comes to decorative purposes. But this type of moss is not only suitable for handicrafts: With its hemispherical, cushion-shaped growth and its light green colour, the plant is also particularly decorative in the garden. It particularly impresses with its easy-care nature. Since the white moss is one of the periodically wet plants, it can survive long periods of drought unscathed, turning white. As soon as it comes into contact with water again, the plant regenerates and takes on a fresh green again. However, collecting white moss in nature is now prohibited, because the plant has become rare and is therefore under nature protection.

5. Sparse wreath moss

Sparrige Kranzmoos (Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus), also called Sparriger Wrinkle Peter, has already driven many gardeners to despair, because the moss species is particularly popular in lawns. The reason for this lies in the particularly robust way in which the Sparrige Kranzmoos withstands regular lawn mowing without any problems. In addition, the interesting moss is one of the few types of moss that thrives on both poor and nutrient-rich soils. But you don't always have to be annoyed about the small plant in the lawn - if you are looking for an easy-care lawn substitute, finds with the Sparrigen Kranzmoos not only a beautiful one, but also a particularly robust and step-resistant one Alternative.