The growth and yield of ornamental and useful plants in the garden largely depends on species-appropriate site conditions. Even without a time-consuming soil analysis from the laboratory, hobby gardeners can gain important insights when they are on the lookout for indicator plants. Read what the term means here. Moss communicates this information in the garden.
Moss grows from acidic soil
What are pointer plants?
Botanists and gardeners call plants with a low tolerance to light, temperature and soil conditions indicator plants. These plant species are often very closely linked to special site qualities and only settle there. Even the slightest change causes them to withdraw again. This property can be used to obtain important information about the body of the soil without having to commission a soil analysis.
How to use moss as an indicator in the garden
As a rootless spore plant, moss as a pointer plant conveys this useful information about local site conditions:
- Acidic pH below 5.5
- Poor or stony ground
- Dark, shady location
- Cool temperatures paired with high humidity
- Permanently moist to waterlogged soil
Moss in the lawn is therefore due to soil that is too acidic, compacted and wet. Conversely, this means that you will not usually find mosses in nutrient-rich, dry and sunny locations. This applies at least to central European regions. In countries with a sunny, dry climate, the survivors have adapted. The moss species Syntrichia caninervis knows how to assert itself in deserts.
Species with more specific clues
If you can identify moss species more precisely, further information can be collected from the presence of individual species. Floor moss (Hylocomium splendens), red stem moss (Pleurozium schreberi) and large wreath moss (Rhytidiadelphus triquetrus) thrive primarily in coniferous forests. The equal box moss (Isothecium alopecuroides) even exclusively chooses fir forests with acidic soil as a location.
Peat mosses (Sphagnum ssp) act as indicators of acidity and moisture at all altitudes. In contrast, strong nerve moss (Cratoneuron commutatum) acts as a wetness and alkaline indicator.
tips
To settle mosses in the garden, use their function as a pointer plant with the opposite sign. To choose the ideal location, choose a place with the general conditions that moss indicates as an indicator. Then you can be sure that the velvety green carpet you have been hoping for will develop in no time at all.