How to Preserve Moss for Decoration & Wall Art [Easy Guide]

Everyone knows that live moss is the most trusty visual tool in the terrarium builder’s toolkit.

But unlike a good piece of equipment, it isn’t particularly hardy. Many moss art projects struggle to provide the conditions needed to keep the moss alive.

Enter preserved moss: the hero of the hour.

There’s no denying that preserved moss is a versatile material.

It’s the lush injection of green in an open terrarium, the un-fadable protagonist in a bright moss display.

But, preserved moss can get pricey, especially if you’re doing a big project. And here at Terrarium Tribe, we like to take the DIY approach.

So come with me, and I’ll take you through the preservation process. Let’s do it!

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Preserving Moss 101

There are two main methods of preserving moss.

  1. You can use the glycerol & methylated spirit method.
  2. Or you can go for the glycerol & warm water method.

Glycerol (sold commercially as glycerin, so that’s what I’ll call it) is a fat that will replace the moisture in the cellulose, allowing the moss to keep its springy texture.

And the methylated spirit (sold as denatured alcoholdehydrates the moss, so more glycerin can be absorbed. 

For this reason, the glycerin and denatured alcohol method is more effective, but there are reasons why you might just like to use glycerin, but more on that in a moment…

You can pick up both glycerin and denatured alcohol inexpensively from Amazon.

Preserved moss wall
Preserving moss might sound like a chore, but the results are worth it. (Image Credit: Joe from Ome).

Can You Preserve Moss Without Glycerin/Chemicals? Safety Info

As far as I know, there is no au naturel method of preserving moss. If you want something to retain life-like qualities in the afterlife, it will take some chemical intervention. 

However, the chemicals involved in this process are very commonly used.

  • Glycerol/ glycerin is typically made from soy or coconut and is used in just about everything from food to cosmetics to laxatives. Nice…

It is somewhat toxic in high amounts – I wouldn’t go drinking gallons – but it’s about as friendly a chemical as possible and is certainly safe to use for crafts.

  • Methylated spirit/ denatured alcohol, on the other hand, is used primarily as a solvent and fuel, and it is very toxic to consume. Its main ingredient (and humanity’s favorite substance) is ethanol – the alcohol found in wine, beer, and spirits. 

So why is it toxic? Well, it also includes a small amount of methanol, which, despite chemically similar to its readily-consumed boozy neighbor, will land you in the hospital, if not worse. It’s also highly flammable, so no open flames near it, please!

Despite this, denatured alcohol is Healthline-approved safe to use, provided you don’t drink it

Stay safe and stick to tequila. 👍

Hopefully, now you know which method you want to go for, so we can move on to the good old green stuff we’ve all been waiting for.

Choosing Real Moss to Preserve

When it comes to custom moss art, the options are limitless.

And the good news is, you can preserve pretty much any moss you fancy, but here are some preserved moss favorites to get you started:

  • Clumpy mosses – Mood Moss and Cushion Moss.
  • Sheet mosses – Fern Moss and Hypnum Moss.
  • Imposter mosses – Reindeer Moss (actually a lichen) and Spanish Moss (an epiphytic plant).
Reindeer lichen
Reindeer Moss lichen is a popular choice.

For bigger projects, like a moss wall, I recommend using a few different types for maximum visual impact.

The moss game is all about contrast and texture.

Sourcing Your Moss – Where to Buy

When it comes to sourcing your live moss to preserve, I strongly advise against taking it from public places and national parks.

It might be free, but it belongs to the forest floor, and taking it is extremely unsustainable. If you have a mossy back garden or yard, however, by all means, go for it! 

I don’t have anywhere to harvest moss, so I grab mine on Etsy. Sometimes you can hit the jackpot and grab several species in a bundle.

Just be sure to check it’s sustainably harvested, from moss farms, or from private land. You can read my live moss buying guide for more help shopping sustainably.

Etsy moss assortment
This lovely assortment by Mossy Acres Homestead is sustainably harvested from private land. Win-win. (Image Credit: MossyAcresHomestead on Etsy).

Other Supplies You Need

While glycerin is a miracle ingredient for preserving texture, it isn’t great at keeping the bright green color. 

The moss will perish as you preserve it, meaning the green chlorophyll will no longer be used to photosynthesize, and the natural color will fade somewhat.

You might like to use a dye to keep things bright.

Fabric dye is a popular choice, but I’ve read a lot of anecdotal information saying the moss doesn’t tend to absorb it very well. Food coloring seems to be the most effective (and non-toxic) option.

And yes, you can dye it whatever color you want. Be my guest if you want to make a Barbie pink moss wall.

Preserved moss wall
I love this piece by Verti Grow UK. It perfectly pulls off the wild dye look! (Image Credit: VertiGrowUK on Etsy).

Just know that it isn’t suitable for closed terrariums as the dye could run if it gets wet. That’s why we use live terrarium moss.

You’ll also need a bowl you don’t eat from, something to stir with, something heavy to pin the moss down, somewhere for the moss to dry (like a rack), and lastly, but importantly, a peg for your nose because it can smell nasty…

How to Preserve Moss (Step-by-Step)

  • 1. Pull out any debris, ensure there are no critters hitching a ride, and rinse it in water until it looks clean.
  • 2. Squeeze out as much excess water as possible and let it dry a little over the next few hours.
  • 3. It’s preserving time – crack open a window and get your space well ventilated.
  • 4. Mix your preserving mixture in your bowl [one part denatured alcohol and two parts glycerin] or [one part glycerin and two parts warm water – the water needs to be warm for it to work], and mix in any dye you’re using.
  • 5. Put your moss in the bowl and ensure it’s fully submerged; use something heavy to pin it down if necessary.
  • 6. Leave it for 10/15 minutes for the denatured alcohol and glycerin solution. Leave it at least an hour if you’re using the water and glycerin solution; though I have read that it can take longer, I don’t think there’s any harm in leaving it a few more hours.
  • 7. When it’s ready, pull it out, squeeze out the excess (gloves come with the highest of recommendations), and leave it somewhere to dry.
  • 8. Wash your damn hands and leave it alone for a few days!
  • 9. Use it in your custom design as you see fit. 

That’s All for Today

Hurrah, you made it! I hope you’ve been significantly less confused than I found myself while researching this.

You’ll have some preserved moss ready for a stunning moss bowl in no time!

Which method have you gone for? Let me know in the comments & feel free to share any tips/tricks you’ve picked up along the way.

About The Author

19 thoughts on “How to Preserve Moss for Decoration & Wall Art [Easy Guide]”

    1. As far as I understand, they’ll both work the same. Gel-based dye is more concentrated though, so I’d use less to avoid ending up with neon moss (unless that’s what you’re going for, of course!).

  1. I obviously should have paid more attention in chemistry back in my high school days, because reading multiple articles about preserving moss with denatured alcohol in its various forms has left my head spinning!
    I’m aware that acetone is not any form of alcohol, but could it be used as a substitute for the denatured alcohol in this preservation process? Likewise, could 90% isopropyl alcohol be substituted? I am trying to work with materials on hand as I live in a rural area and lack patience for shipping.
    Thank you SO very much for one of the less confusing tutorials I’ve ingested regarding this topic!

    1. Hi Georgie, you’re not the only one – preserving moss certainly comes with a fair amount of head spinning. 😅 As far as I understand, both acetone and isopropyl alcohol are dehydrating so in theory they fit the purpose, but I’m afraid I have no idea how or if they’d work in reality.

    2. How’d it go with the acetone? Did you use dye with the acetone? From my lab work I’d have thought it would be a lot stronger than the alcohols as it completely mixes in water and is also harsh on nasal passages and skin.

  2. Hi! Could you not just use a glass bowl and clean it well after? Glass is pretty inert. Can’t wait to try this!

  3. Hi! This is a great beginner guide, thank you. From what i have read the preserved moss can last for 2-8 years. Is this correct or is there a way to actually preserve it for ”life”? I want to make wall decor for my hallway where there is no sunlight. Best regards, Silje from Norway.

    1. Hi Silje, unfortunately it’s not an exact science but keeping it away from light and moisture is your best bet for longevity .

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