Moss Bowl 101: DIY Centerpiece and Decor Guide

Is your coffee table crying out for moss? Is your dining table sick of having an empty bowl? Does your boring mantlepiece hate you? 

Well, all of that is about to change. 

Meeting at the intersection of Architectural Digest, horticulture, and Pinterest DIY, moss bowls are the hot new trend, and you definitely need one in your life.

This DIY guide will teach you exactly how to make one yourself.

So without further ado, let’s get mossy.

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First things first… You’re going to need some moss.

Live moss or preserved moss? That is the question.

Shall we have a closer look? 

Live Moss Bowl

Like any terrarium enthusiast worth their salt, I love live moss. Evidence provided here 👇

Its high moisture and humidity requirements make it an ideal fit for closed terrariums. 

But it creates a real challenge when exposed to open air, as it would be in a moss bowl.

Live moss rapidly dries and perishes without constant moisture.

You might think then, what if I mist it regularly?

Misting is fairly useless – or at least it is in the context of humidity – because the water will begin to evaporate in minutes.

So, unless you want to be a full-time stay-at-home moss bowl mister (I wouldn’t blame you if you did –  that’s the dream…), live moss is a no-no. 

Preserved Moss Bowl

This is where it’s at, people. 

Preserved moss has been chemically treated to look as if it’s still alive.

It’s the ultimate way to get your natural moss fix but with the longevity of fake moss. That’s right; you can have your cake and eat it too!

You could pick one kind of moss for a more uniform look or combine different types for more texture. Both look great. 

Some great moss options are:

• Sheet Mosses like Fern Moss.

• Reindeer Moss (which is actually a lichen).
• Fluffy, clumpy mosses like Cushion Moss or Mood Moss.

👉 Shop preserved moss options on Etsy.

If you have live moss and want to preserve it yourself, you can check out my how to preserve moss guide.

Bowl Ideas

Of course, you’ll be in need of a sexy bowl.

Luckily for you, I’ve gone down a bit of a bowl rabbit hole. 

Here are some ideas that look amazing, plus links to check out the options on Etsy:

• Wood – Circular, irregularly shaped, oval, deep, shallow, whatever you want, you can’t go wrong with wood.

• Metal – Hammered iron is gorgeous; it gives me 21st-century Viking vibes.

Coconut – Thought coconut smoothie bowls were immensely Instagrammable? Coconut moss bowls are on another aesthetic level.

• Concrete – For the ultimate minimalist design, you’ll need concrete. 

• Stone or crystal – What better way to get your hippie fix than with a stunning stone or crystal bowl?

• Ceramic – There are so many (and I mean so many) ceramic bowl options. With everything from minimalist to ornate, bright to muted, you’re sure to find something that suits your style.

• Kintsugi – The Japanese art of kintsugi (which translates to golden joinery) is where broken pottery is repaired with golden glue to create an even more beautiful piece than it was originally. It’s a perfect choice.

Today has been one of those days I really, really love my job. I’ve literally just spent an hour bowl-shopping.

Super Glue Magic

Now we bring it all together; cue the glue!

If your bowl is extra deep, you might want to pop something at the bottom to lift it (I’m sure a rummage through the recycling bin will be fruitful – there’s nothing an ice cream tub can’t do). Moss can be pricey, and you don’t want to waste it where it can’t be seen.

Then glue your preserved moss pieces where you like. You can tear or cut them into smaller pieces as you please. 

And I recommend wearing gloves for this part. Sticking your fingers together is horrid. 

Feel free to add any extra details to spice things up. Small hardscape pieces (rocks or wood) can look great. 

I hope you’ve enjoyed yourself and have a luscious bowl you’re all too proud of! If you’re looking for your next moss project, why not check out our moss art and moss wall articles?

See you next time.