Thanks to enchanting star moss, dreary gaps in the rock garden, on the dry stone wall or in the bucket are a thing of the past. With dainty, needle-like leaves, the plant forms dense, green carpets over which tiny starry flowers dance. The following answers to frequently asked questions convey all aspects that are relevant for professional cultivation.

Star moss is not only a beautiful ground cover, it also thrives in pots

Table of Contents

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  1. Plant star moss properly
  2. care tips
  3. Which location is suitable?
  4. The right planting distance
  5. What soil does the plant need?
  6. Cut star moss correctly
  7. pour star moss
  8. Fertilize star moss properly
  9. hibernate
  10. Propagating star moss
  11. Star moss does not bloom
  12. Beautiful varieties

    13. Plant star moss properly

    Autumn is the ideal time to do creative garden design with Sternmoos. Prepare the fresh, loose soil in a sunny to partially shaded location so that it is free of weeds, roots and stones. Then dig small pits 20-25 cm apart. During this work, soak the potted seedlings in water until no more air bubbles rise. It continues in this order:

    • Unpot star moss and plant in the middle, no deeper than before in the breeding pot
    • Enrich the excavation with a little compost and horn shavings (32.93€) and distribute around the plant
    • Water and mulch with leaves, grass clippings or bark mulch

    The process is similar in the pot or balcony box. In addition, we recommend laying a 2 cm high drainage made of inorganic materials over the water drain in the bottom of the container to prevent waterlogging.

    care tips

    In order to animate the delicate starry blossoms to dance over the filigree leaf cushions, the horticultural choreography is designed as follows:

    • Never allow star moss to dry out at any time of the year
    • Fertilizing is not necessary in the bed
    • In the planter, fertilize every 30 days from April to August
    • Cutting is possible at any time for optical reasons
    • Sweep off all leaves in autumn

    Thanks to its frost-resistant constitution, the plant gets through the winter healthy without any special precautions. If star moss thrives in a bucket or balcony box, wrap the container in foil or jute and place it on cold-insulating wood or polystyrene.
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    Which location is suitable?

    The frugal plant does not make any significant demands on the light and temperature conditions. As long as the soil is not bone dry, star moss thrives in sunny locations. Fattening herbs achieve their optimum in a partially shaded location with humus-rich, fresh, moist and well-drained soil.
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    The right planting distance

    Since Sternmoos exceeds its growth height of 3-5 cm five times in growth width, the dimensioning of the planting distance is based on this specification. Place the young weeds 20-25 cm apart to create a compact cushion. In the pot and balcony box, reduce this value by 5-10 cm.

    What soil does the plant need?

    Last but not least, the robust plant expresses its frugality by thriving in almost any soil. As long as there is no desert-like drought or lethal waterlogging, Sternmoos happily spreads its dense carpet of flowers. For a plant in a bucket, this means that commercially available potting soil with a low peat content is sufficient as a substrate.

    Cut star moss correctly

    Sternmoos does not require a maintenance cut. It may be desirable to cut the plant into shape solely for aesthetic reasons. For example, if the ground cover grows into the garden path or presses on neighboring perennials in the planter, it can be cut back at any time. The same applies if the shoots wither due to lack of light. If the green carpet looks more like a head of hair that has gotten out of shape, run the pruning shears over the eyrie and cut off everything that bothers you.

    pour star moss

    Sternmoos is no friend of desert-like drought. Therefore, water the plant in the bed and tub regularly if the natural rainfall is not sufficient. Since moisture evaporates from the evergreen foliage even during winter, water your weeds during a frost on mild days.

    Fertilize star moss properly

    In terms of nutrient supply, the undemanding frugality of Sternmoos becomes apparent. If the plant thrives in the bed, rock garden, roof garden or on the grave, no fertilizing is necessary. Only in the narrowly limited substrate volume of the tub or balcony box are the nutrient supplies used up within 4-6 weeks after planting. In the period from April to August, the monthly administration of liquid fertilizer makes sense. Then stop giving fertilizer so the plant can prepare for the coming winter.

    hibernate

    Sternmoos is frost-resistant down to -34 degrees Celsius, so you don't have to worry about overwintering in the bed. It is important to note that in autumn the fallen leaves are consistently removed so that no rot forms underneath. Only for a plant in a pot or balcony box are some simple precautions to be taken so that the root ball does not freeze. Before the first frost, place the container on wood or polystyrene and cover it with jute, fleece or foil.

    Propagating star moss

    Once the practical and decorative advantages of Sternmoos are known, there is a desire for more specimens. The easiest way to propagate is by division. To do this, dig up the plant in spring or autumn, divide the root ball into two or more segments and plant them in the new location in the ground. If a larger number of fattening herbs is desired, sowing seeds can be considered. How to do it right:

    • The best time for sowing behind glass is March and April
    • Fill a seed tray with seed soil to scatter the seeds
    • Thinly sieve with sand or vermiculite, press and moisten with a fine shower
    • Put a transparent plastic hood over it and place it in a partially shaded, warm window seat

    If the tiny cotyledons break their way through the seed coat, the cap has done its job. Keep the substrate slightly moist. The seedlings are pricked out when they have at least 2 pairs of leaves. Vigorous young plants have developed by July/August and are planted out in the bed.

    Star moss does not bloom

    The pretty star blossoms are the icing on the cake for the groundcover. If the plant refuses this delicate carpet of flowers, there is usually a problem with the location. You will look in vain for the blossoms in dust-dry soil as well as in waterlogged soil. If everything is in the green in this regard, the plant is mostly a seedling-propagated specimen. Sown fattening herbs do not flower for the first time until the second year of growth at the earliest.

    Beautiful varieties

    • Aurea: The gold star moss impresses with light green leaves with a golden yellow tinge and white star flowers
    • Irish Moss: The white-flowering plant with dark-green foliage spreads the charm of simple naturalness
    • Scotish Moss: This variety impresses with needle-like leaves in bright light green and dainty starry flowers

Category:

Vegetable garden