To the untrained eye, there is little to no difference between a preserved moss versus dried moss. Both evoke feelings of organic greenery and nature, especially in interior design. While both have their fair share of applications and benefits, the key to differentiating preserved vs dried moss is knowing more about each kind. Find out in this short guide how dried moss differs from preserved moss, as well as the applications and specifications you need to consider before finalizing your choice.
Learn the Difference Between Preserved and Dried Moss
Before we compare and contrast preserved moss versus dried moss, let us first go into detail about them, such as their propagation and harvesting process, uses, maintenance, and sub-categories.
What is Dried Moss?
Typically used in gardening as a horticultural catalyst to retain moisture, dried moss possesses a crispy, brittle texture because of its dehydrated state. This study applies to garden crops like fruits and vegetables, as well as ornamental and flowering plants.
How are dried moss created? First, fresh real moss is harvested and dried then sold with little to no chemical treatment. Because of this, dried moss naturally degrades and eventually adds nutrients and moisture into plant soil when used for horticulture. Dried moss is also sold according to the weight, especially in gardening and craft scores. Outside of gardening, dried moss can be used in simple dioramas and arts and craft projects.
However, one key thing that differentiates dried moss from preserved moss is that it reacts to the presence of moisture. When used in gardening as a soil additive, it retains moisture to keep the soil hydrated for longer periods of time. This is especially useful in small garden arrangements like potted bonsai and terrariums. A small bundle of dried moss can easily be revived with a small amount of water due to its moisture-retaining property.
What is Preserved Moss?
Preserved moss is much more suitable for interior decoration purposes. Usually sold affixed or mounted to baseboards or panels, preserved moss is created by subjecting expertly curated moss to a special chemical treatment process. This treatment is what gives preserved moss the fresh and fluffy texture that leaves it looking as great as the day it was picked. The chemical treatment used for preserved moss also protects it from the elements and turns it into a maintenance-free piece of green art—meaning you do not need to worry about it degrading due to lack of sunshine, water, and pest infestation.
Because of the curation process and its use in design installations, preserved moss comes in a variety of types:
- Preserved flat moss is known for its velvety ground cover texture and is often used as a green element in wall décor. Panels of this type of preserved moss evoke imagery of lush, even landscapes.
- Reindeer moss is a favorite among reindeers because of its location. Frequently growing in harsh tundras, this reindeer snack comes in a pale, silvery color that makes for easy dyeing and color customization. Create a moss wall that is full of personality with the vibrant colors of reindeer moss.
If you love the idea of greenery indoors but are not confident about your ability to care for the common houseplant, then consider a vertical gardening system that features preserved moss instead. This candidate will give your home or office a pop of nature without the hassles of maintenance.
How Does Dried Moss Differ from Preserved Moss?
See below our comparison and recommendations based on the difference between dried moss and preserved moss.
Our Low-Maintenance Pick: Preserved Moss
Preserved moss panels serve as an evergreen vertical garden in and of themselves. While dried moss certainly helps in improving the health of your indoor and outdoor plants, their survival and care ultimately still rests on your shoulders. Versus dried moss, preserved moss provides the same natural beauty that a regular plant does without the need of maintenance like water, sunlight, and pest control.
Get Dried Moss If…
You prefer tending to live household or outdoor plants. Buying dried moss will give your live plants a boost in soil quality through their horticultural benefits. Simply add dried moss to your soil mix and use it in your planters. Dried moss is suitable for fruits, vegetables, and even ornamental or flowering plants, so you do not have to worry about this low-cost soil addition ruining your greenery.
Get Preserved Moss If…
You are looking for an indoor gardening solution that requires as little effort as possible to stay looking its best. Preserved moss suppliers will typically offer to replace panels that have deteriorated or gotten damaged for a small fee, and you can even experience unique benefits like calmer environments and improved noise pollution reduction despite the low-effort investment.
Our Space-Saving Choice: Preserved Moss
Large, stand-alone homes may have the square footage for an impressive garden that could make the most out of dried moss and its horticultural benefits, but the mess that gardening and repotting could bring to more compact homes like a condo unit or apartment definitely entails major elbow grease and clean-up especially with the limited space. A difference between dried moss and preserved moss that is worth considering is that dried moss is still largely organic, so attracting bugs or mold is still a big possibility in a tight space.
Get Dried Moss If…
You have the space for a dedicated gardening area. This is still possible in a high-rise setup if you have an outdoor balcony that is useful for plants and repotting activities. Live houseplants are definitely a beautiful addition to a home of any size. However, the introduction of moisture-retaining plants may cause mold build-up that neither you nor your landlord will appreciate.
Get Preserved Moss If…
You want a practical, space-saving patch of green without worrying about long-run repercussions. Mounting panels of preserved moss indoors occupies far less space than a dedicated garden area, and you won’t have to worry about mold or pests taking over your living space either.
Our Verdict?
Ultimately, both types of harvested moss have their pros and cons! But assessing your needs is key to finding out what kind of moss to invest in. When it comes to preserved moss versus dried moss, it is no secret that preserved moss is the more practical, fuss-free choice especially for those that love the look of plants but don’t have the green thumb needed to sustain it. If this sounds like you, then get in touch with a trusted moss supplier in the Philippines for tasteful moss compositions you are sure to love.
