Q&A for How to Make Moss Graffiti

You should check on it about once or twice a week to see whether it needs more water or patching up with more moss.

There is no specific, ideal weather, as there are many different types of moss through out the world. Whatever moss you find growing outside should work for the graffiti, as it is already growing in your climate. If it is very dry, however, you may need to water your moss more often. Similarly, if it is very rainy, you might not need to water your moss as often.

Whatever surface you will be painting on ( i.e., brick, wood etc.), use that as the medium for the moss, so that when you look outside, you look for moss growing on that medium. If there is moss outside growing on brick and you are going to be painting it into brick, then use that, as the moss is already growing in your climate on the surface you want, so it is therefore a match.

Yes, but you have to use moss that isn't green.

No, it is not.

It should take about a month or two in total, but this can depend on your local environment and climate conditions.

Yes, but be careful using food coloring as it may kill the moss cells.

Irish moss is pretty hardy stuff as it is sun-tolerant and, unlike other mosses, can grow on most surfaces from walls to trees. For this reason, it can be used to make 'moss graffiti'. Of course, its success can't be guaranteed as it depends completely on your specific environment and climate.

Not inside, but outside, yes.

Moss, like other plants, needs sunlight and moisture to grow, so make sure to do it in a well-lit and humid area. You could also use a humidifier to make it easier.

As long as the moss is taken care of, it should last a long time. It does range though, based on different moss species, and may last up to 10 years for some.

You can, but some outdoor painted surfaces are treated with chemicals to specifically prevent the growth of moss or mold.

Success will vary depending on what kind of wall you put it on, how much sun it gets, how much water, any disturbances. Also, some mosses are hardier than others and grow faster. Pick a wall without paint that has a rough surface. Don't put it on a wall with direct sun. Moisten it frequently. You'll then have a higher success rate!

No, that moss is dead. You could mimic the end results but it wouldn't be living art.

It may smell slightly damp, but otherwise, no.

No. You should only use moss that grows wild in your area on the same type of surface you're trying to graffiti. Java moss and Christmas moss will only work if you're in a warm, very wet tropical climate. Also, they're from southeast Asia and South America respectively, so even if they'd survive in your area, you shouldn't try to use them as graffiti outside their native range.

Yes, you can. Just be aware of where you are planting your wall moss, as it can encourage dampness. Thick and fluffy moss generally requires more water to look its best, but can have an impact on the base wall.

The wall should get some sunlight, but it's best if it's mostly shady.

Like other graffiti, it is only illegal if you do it on someone else's property, or on publicly owned property. If you do it on your own property, it is perfectly legal.

No, because they are plants, and they need sunlight to live.

Yes! Using this technique in a terrarium would be awesome.

You can, but it's likely to attract all types of critters, and it will look ugly when it's growing. It's better to stick with this method.

Yes, but very slowly.

It will live as long as you maintain it! Make sure to return to patch it up and spritz it every week or so.

Definitely not. It would be unable to spread if it wasn't living.

That's probably why it's growing well there. Rain aside, any extra moisture would be good for it.

As long as you use it in a pulse mode, it should be fine. The key is to blend to a barely "paintable" consistency (a bit lumpy) to ensure the moss being blended is not being liquefied.

Probably, if they all match the same medium. It would look pretty random when it grew, but you could always make 3 mixes of types of mosses if you want bigger areas of different types.

You can try! You could either add food coloring to the moss, or wait for it to dry and then paint it.

If you are doing this to someone's property, then yes. It is best to do so on objects like rocks. Check with your community rules to make sure it is allowed.