9 Types of Moss That Will Add Color and Texture to Your Garden

If you see moss as an indication of a landscaping problem—too much moisture, not enough drainage, an unhealthy lawn—it's time to change the way you view these tiny green species. These pioneering plants thrive in nearly any soil or moisture conditions, ride out winters in even the coldest parts of the United States (and the world), and need very little care beyond supplemental watering to keep their color vibrant.

Take a closer look at some of the prettiest, most interesting, and most common moss types that you might also find growing in your sidewalk, on your patio, among your flowers, or in the woods—or use this guide as inspiration to plant some moss if it's absent from your landscape.

What Is Moss?

Mosses are small plants with underground rhizoids, which anchor the leaves to the soil or landscape but typically don't provide nutrition. Instead of growing a waxy leaf surface that repels water, like other flowers and foliage do, mosses absorb water and nutrients through their leaves.

The "miniature moss world" includes mosses of all different sizes, says moss expert Annie Martin of Mountain Moss, author of The Magical World of Moss Gardening: Some are relatively large, and some are so small that a 1-inch round can contain more than 1,000 plants. Mosses grow either upright in mounds, or sideways, spreading throughout a given area.

Common Types of Moss

The global ecosystem includes as many as 12,000 types of moss, says Martin. "Moss is, most of the time, perceived by the general public as a conglomerate. We even use the singular form, moss, instead of mosses—we just put it all together," she says. And though these bryophytes have many features in common, including a versatility that allows many of them to grown in varied habitats, they each have their own unique look. "Mosses are very social, so different species will grow together," says Martin. "Luckily, there's a right moss for almost every place you can imagine."

Climacium Americanum

Climacium Americanum is one of only a few types of moss with a sideways spread and upright growth, says Martin, This moss thrives in rich, loose soil, shoots out new growth—in the shape of tiny conifer trees—all year, and is a good choice for wet locations and for lawns, says Martin.

Ceratodon purpureus

Look for ceratodon purpureus in sidewalk cracks anywhere in the world, says Martin, and on rocky precipices where sun and wind make it hard for other plants to flourish; choose a full-sun location in your landscaping to add the small mounds. This tiny, velvety moss usually grows to only about 1.5 inches tall, says Martin, and boasts a brilliant green color with soaring crimson sporophytes.

Dicranum scoparium

Commonly known as broom moss for its long, soft growth, dicranum scoparium prefers shady locations (or partial sun) and well-drained soil. It's common in pine forests, says Martin—she recommends adding a layer of needles under it for better drainage in your own yard—and can tolerate high heat.

Leucobryum glaucum

Though leucobryum glaucum, or pincushion moss, is often recognized in tiny, round mounds, it can also live for years; Martin has a decades-old, huge, and dense version in her garden. "It can live in the deep shade in the woods, and it can live at the beach in the direct sun," says Martin. "The more sun it's exposed to, the more it dries out; when you rehydrate it, it turns back green."

Entodon seductrix

This moss, known for its shiny, silky leaves, is a sideways grower that can live just about anywhere: in soil or on concrete, in wet areas or dry. "When it dries out, it just gets a little shinier and achieves some golden overtones," says Martin.

Bryoandersonia illecebra

Martin compares the loosely connected leaves of bryoandersonia illecebra to the look of shag carpeting (though it's also often referred to as spoon moss, "because of the way the leaves curve around the stem," she says). The larger, tubular plant will add a luminous, rich green accent to your landscaping in sun, shade, and high heat areas, but also works as a lawn moss or to cover old tree stumps, says Martin.

Aulacomnium palustre 

Aulacomnium palustre, or ribbed bog moss, "can be super thick and it tolerates super-wet conditions, so it is an ideal species to choose for a waterfall or pond," says Martin. Long, thin, ribbed bog moss stems can grow to about 4 inches.

Hypnum imponens 

Sideways-growing hypnum imponens is also known as feather moss, brocade moss, or fern moss, a reference to its intricately woven foliage. Expect the moss to develop golden overtones in early spring, and a rich green color in May. This variety thrives in shady areas, when used for lawns, and as an accent to patios and walls.

Thuidium delicatulum

Recognizable thuidium delicatulum, or delicate fern moss, is a common sight in most climates. It thrives in shade or sun, and can be hydrated to renew its color and vibrancy if it dries out, says Martin.

Identifying Moss

Most mosses are easy to recognize, especially when they grow alongside grass or other groundcover. "Moss will grow in places where other plants, especially turfgrass, tend to struggle: consistently moist and shady areas," says Justine Kandra, horticulturist at the Kemper Center for Home Gardening at the Missouri Botanical Garden. "Because mosses are pioneering species, they will often appear on their own in areas of a garden where the conditions are right for their growth and competition from other plants is minimal."

Other easy ways to identify these small, low-growing plants include pulling up a small piece to check for rhizoids, and looking for flowers on top of the plant. "No true moss will ever have a flower," says Martin. Instead, mosses have sporophytes, which contain the spores that allow the plant to reproduce. Mosses also have translucent leaves that allow light to penetrate.

Uses of Moss

Several types of moss have deep, anchoring rhizoids that make them a solid choice for preventing erosion, says Martin; replacing a turf lawn with moss can also minimize your yard to-do list while offering a more sustainable alternative to grass.

Adding moss to a rock garden, water feature, paver patio, or concrete wall also adds a bit of beauty to your hardscaping. "Moss evokes certain feelings when it comes to gardening, including timelessness, whimsy, and mystery. Moss growing on a large rock or between the stepping stones of a path can make it seem like these objects have been there longer than they actually have," says Kandra. "The miniature nature of moss also makes it perfect for fairy gardens, garden railways, and other small-scale gardens. Moss is also a common fixture in Japanese-style gardens, and so gardeners looking to emulate this style may want to add a moss element to their space."