Home Decor Trend to DIY: Kokedama Hanging Plants

-- 1 small houseplant (ideal options are Anthurium, ferns, Ficus pumila, Fittonia, most orchids, Philodendron, Pilea, Pothos, Peperomis, and Selaginella)

-- Pruners

-- A 7:3 ratio of peat moss and bonsai soil

-- Plastic grocery bag or small bucket

-- A small container of water

-- Gloves (optional)

-- Sphagnum moss for wrapping the soil 

-- Strong string or twine

-- Sheet moss (dried or live, depending on your project)

Step 1: Gently remove the plant from the pot that it came in and remove the soil from the roots until most of the soil is fully separated from the root system. Plants with finer root systems may need to be rinsed in the sink to help remove the soil. Prune the roots and leaves to the size you want. 

Step 2: Mix together the peat moss and bonsai soil in a plastic grocery bag or bucket. (Wear gloves if you like.) Add small splashes of water as you mix. Keep mixing until the mixture can be formed into a firm ball of soil with your hands. 

Step 3: Form a ball of soil that is big enough to encase the root system of the plant. Set it aside. 

Step 4: Wrap a layer of dried sphagnum moss entirely around the plant's root system. The plant's roots will grow into this layer. 

Step 5: Using string or twine, secure the layer of sphagnum moss to the plant by wrapping it around the moss several times and trying it off. 

Step 6: With your fingertip, create a hole in the ball of soil that is big enough to insert the sphagnum-wrapped root system into. Carefully put the wrapped root system in the hole and reform the ball until it is nice and solid. 

Step 7: Using the sheet moss, cover every part of the soil sphere, and wrap it securely several times with twine or string. Be sure to tie it off when you are done. Leave on some extra length if you would like to use this same string or twine to hang your finished kokedama. 

Step 8: The same string or twine may be used to display your plant. Attaching a thin chain or decorative cord to the wrapping can serve as a mechanism to hang the kokedama. 

Step 9: Before hanging your kokedama, make sure to soak it in a bowl of water. The living moss and plant will benefit from the moisture. 

For more gorgeous green DIYs, check out Rooted in Design: Sprout Home's Guide to Creative Indoor Planting ($16, amazon.com).