If you have ever seen a beautiful patio or stone walkway with tiny white flowers sprouting between the cracks, chances are, you were looking at Irish moss (Sagina Subulata).

Irish moss is not only lovely to look at, but is the only type of moss that sprouts flowers giving it that unique look!

Many people enjoy the look of this Irish moss but are unsure how to grow it themselves. The truth is, it’s actually quite easy to get Irish moss growing between your pavers and in this article, we’ll give you a few tips on how to grow it successfully.

A Little Bit About Irish Moss

Before we get into the specifics of growing Irish moss between pavers, let’s quickly touch on what this plant is and where it comes from.

As we mentioned, Irish moss (Sagina Subulata) grows low to the ground “almost like a carpet” and is commonly found in Europe and North America. It has a dense mat of tiny leaves that are only about 1/8” wide.

These leaves are what give Irish moss its beautiful, lush appearance! In terms of flowers, Irish moss usually blooms in the springtime with tiny white flowers.

These flowers only last for a few weeks before they fade away, but they do add a nice touch of color to an otherwise green plant.

When it comes to growing conditions, this moss can grow in both full sun and partial shade, but it prefers cooler temperatures. It’s a very resilient plant that can tolerate a wide range of conditions, which is one of the reasons why it is so popular among gardeners.

How To Grow Irish Moss Between Pavers?

Now that you know a little bit more about Irish moss, let’s talk about what you need to get started. Growing Irish moss between your pavers is actually quite simple and only requires a few things:

Things You Need

Trowel
Fertilizer
Irish Moss
Water

1. Prepare The Surface

The first thing you need to do is prepare the surface. This means clearing out any weeds or grass that is already growing between your pavers. You don’t need to dig too deep, just enough to remove the existing vegetation.

Once you have cleared out the area, use a trowel to loosen up the soil. This will help the Irish moss roots take hold and establish themselves more easily.

2. Tear The Irish Moss Into Small Pieces

Next, take your Irish moss and tear it into small pieces. The smaller the pieces, the easier it will be for them to take root about half a centimeter should do it.

However, this will depend on the size of your pavers! If you are not should sure then just use your best judgment, the result will be the same.

3. Add Fertilizer Between The Pavers (Optional)

Next, add a layer of fertilizer to the soil. This will give the Irish moss something to feed off of as it starts to grow. Fertilizer will also speed up the growth process, so your moss will fill in more quickly.

Any type of general-purpose fertilizer will do, just make sure it is spread evenly across the surface. You don’t need much just enough to give the moss a little boost.

4. Gently Place The Moss Between The Pavers

Now it’s time to plant the moss! Gently place the pieces of moss between the pavers, making sure that they are in contact with the soil.

Moss doesn’t need to be planted on the soil “but” It’s important that the moss has good contact with the ground so that it can take root and start growing. Once you have placed all of the pieces, give them a little pat down to help them stay in place.

5. Lightly Mist The Moss With Water

Once the moss is in place you can then lightly mist it with water. This will help to keep the moss moist and encourage growth. Be sure not to overwater the moss as it hasn’t taken root yet and can easily float away

You should only need to water the moss once a day, or whenever the soil starts to feel dry. If it’s been raining then there is no need! Over time, the moss will start to fill in and cover the area between your pavers!

And that’s it! These are all of the steps you need to take in order to grow Irish moss between your pavers. Just remember to give it some time and TLC, and you’ll have a beautiful ground cover in no time.

How Long Will It Take To Establish Itself?

How long it will take for the Irish moss to establish itself will depend on a few factors. These include the climate, the time of year, and how often you water it.

In general, it will take anywhere from 2-4 weeks for the moss to start growing, in some cases, it can take up to 6 weeks. However, because you have added fertilizer this will give the moss a little bit of a head start. So you should start seeing results within a week!

Just keep in mind, if you’re not using a fertilizer that Irish moss is a slow-growing plant, so don’t expect it to fill in overnight! Just be patient and soon enough you will have a beautiful ground cover.

Tips For Keeping Your Irish Moss Looking Great

Once your Irish moss has taken root and started to grow, there are a few things you can do to keep it looking its best. These include:

Add More Moss If Needed: As the moss starts to grow and fill in, you may find that you need to add more. This is especially true if you have a large area to cover! Just remember to tear the moss into small pieces before adding it to the soil.

Give It A Trim: If the moss starts to get too long, you can give it a trim! Just use a sharp knife or scissors to cut the moss down to size. Be sure not to cut it too short as this could damage the plant.

Fertilize It Every Few Months: Even after the Irish moss has taken root, it is still a good idea to fertilize it every few months. This will help to keep it healthy and encourage growth.

Remove Weeds As They Appear: Weeds can quickly take over an area of Irish moss, so it’s important to remove them as soon as they appear. The best way to do this is to pull them out by hand. Be sure to get the entire root so that the weed doesn’t grow back.

Keep It Moist: Irish moss needs to be kept moist in order to thrive, so be sure to water it regularly. During hot weather, you may need to water it more than once a day. Just be sure not to overwater the plant as this can cause problems.

Try To Avoid Walking On It: Even though Irish moss is a tough plant, it’s still delicate. So try to avoid walking on it whenever possible. By following these tips, you can keep your Irish moss looking great all year long!

Common Problems With Irish Moss

Even though Irish moss is a tough plant, it can still experience problems from time to time. So if you notice any of these signs mentioned below happen, it’s important to take action right away to avoid any permanent damage.

Yellow Leaves: Yellow leaves are usually a sign of too much water. Be sure to only water the plant when the soil is dry to the touch. If the problem persists, try letting the plant dry out for a few days before watering it again.

Fungus Growth: Fungus can sometimes grow on Irish moss, but this is usually not a cause for concern. Just remove the affected leaves and the plant should be fine.

Mold Growth: Mold can sometimes grow on Irish moss. This can happen if the moss gets too much water. If the area it’s growing in doesn’t have proper drainage so be careful there!

Final Thoughts

Irish moss is a beautiful plant that can defiantly add some color and life to any garden. Just remember to give it some time and TLC, and you’ll have a beautiful ground cover in no time. Be sure to follow the tips above to keep your Irish moss looking its best!

-cushion moss, which generates a small mantle similar to a mat.

-rock moss which, as you will guess from the name, grows well attached to calcareous and porous materials

-air cap moss could be a solution, making all the flooring more rustic.