One of my favorite ways to bring my Christmas decor to life is by using real plants, foliage, and flowers. From a wreath full of seasonal foliage, to my latest obsession, festive kokedama.
Kokedama is a Japanese tradition, offering an alternative take on hanging baskets by growing plants in moss balls and elevating them from ceilings, pergolas, and and other structures. By selecting Christmas plants to make kokedama, you can make living hanging ornaments for your home, or just place them in the center of the table for your holiday get-togethers.
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(Image credit: Image taken by Mayte Torres via Alamy)
3 Festive Kokedama Plants
The beauty of kokedama is that it can be done with nearly any plant, so essentially any Christmas plant can be used. However, I think the following three are the best options, easiest for beginners, and will instantly infuse a festive feel to the home.
If it’s your first time making kokedama, make sure to stock up on these essentials. Or, use a kokedama kit (from Amazon):
The foundation of kokedama is a moss ball, which encompasses soil and plant roots in a spherical shape.
Use twine to hold your kokedama together and create loops for hanging it. This roll measures 600ft.
For houseplant kokedama, like the below plants, it’s best to use indoor potting mix. It’s well-draining and full of essential nutrients.
1. Poinsettia
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There’s no better holiday houseplant to turn into kokedama than poinsettia.
With vibrant red bracts (or modified leaves), these plants have become synonymous with the Christmas season. For me, being able to style my poinsettia a bit differently is key to uplifting my indoor plant display at this time of year.
This is where poinsettia kokedama comes in. Just like looking after a poinsettia, it’s important to keep it hydrated, warm, and in a bright position.
Failing to do so will lead to your kokedama quickly fading and your poinsettia dropping leaves.
You should therefore soak the moss ball in water when it feels dry (be aware that hanging it will cause it to dry out more quickly) and ensure the room temperature stays between 60-72°F.
Find a poinsettia at Walmart to turn into kokedama, or purchase a moss ball planter (from Amazon) to create the look of kokedama for minimal effort.
I particularly like the idea in the image above where LED lights (like these warm white string lights from Amazon) have been used to embellish the kokedama. You can also add other festive touches like pinecones or dried orange slices.
2. Hyacinth
(Image credit: Alexandra Bordeianu via Getty Images)
Even though hyacinths are spring bulbs, they are one of the most popular indoor bulbs to force for Christmas.
There are so many ways to grow hyacinths indoors for the holidays, including growing them as indoor bulbs in water.
Hyacinth kokedama is another unique take. Even if you don’t hang up your kokedama, you can display it as a centerpiece for Christmas Day. The bright bloom emerging from moss provides an effective, natural tablescape.
It’s best to make a hyacinth kokedama by first forcing it in soil (with this hyacinth bulb forcing kit from Walmart) and then turning it into kokedama by wrapping its root ball in moss (with this moss sheet from Amazon).
3. Orchid
(Image credit: Getty Images/Sarah Hart)
Orchids are some of the extravagant plants to turn into kokedama, and you can give it a holiday twist with Christmas orchids.
Alongside the popular moth orchid houseplant (form The Sill), there are a number of orchids that bloom at Christmas time, ideal for turning into festive kokedama.
Some of the best picks include Star of Bethlehem orchid and Mayflower orchid.
Follow orchid care advice to look after your orchid kokedama. This includes regularly misting your kokedama moss ball to hydrate roots. You can use a glass plant mister (from Amazon) for this.
Be aware that your orchid kokedama will need a different type of potting mix than other types. This is because orchids need a well-draining orchid bark (from Amazon) to thrive, or you can try making your own orchid potting mix.
FAQsHow Long Does Kokedama Last?
Kokedama can last for many years when looked after properly. This includes soaking the moss ball to properly hydrate plant roots. What you may have to do is upgrade to a larger moss ball as your plant grows bigger and its root ball gets bigger. Make sure to also keep on top of the plant care for the specific plant you have growing in kokedama to maintain its health.
If you want to take your festive plant display a step further, you can think even more outside the box by using Christmas tree alternatives.
Shop Indoor Plant Accessories
Use this green plant mister to give your houseplants and kokedama plants a spritzing to raise humidity levels. In between use, it looks gorgeous sitting on a shelf.
This canvas garden apron is ideal for carrying tools with ease. It has multiple pockets to maximize capacity.
These hand pruners are the perfect size for houseplants. With a carbon steel blade, it’s rust resistant for many years of use.
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