Live Moss Species: Which Moss for Which Site
Eighteen species. Sun, shade, wet, dry — they are not interchangeable.
- Moss rose / rock moss (Portulaca) — on the ASPCA toxic list. Not a moss.
- Irish moss & Scotch moss (Sagina subulata) — a flowering plant in the carnation family. Not a moss.
- Spanish moss (Tillandsia) — a bromeliad. Not a moss.
- Club moss / spike moss — a lycophyte. Not a moss.
True mosses (Bryophyta) are what we sell. They are not listed as toxic by the ASPCA — though we have found no source that positively clears them either, so we state what is known and no more.
A true moss is a bryophyte: no roots, no vascular system, reproduces by spores. It does not drink through roots because it has none — it absorbs water across its whole surface.
“Irish moss” and “Scotch moss” (Sagina subulata) are not mosses. They are flowering plants in the carnation family, with taproots, flowers and seeds. We explain why that matters here.
Everything in this cluster is about real moss.
- Plant type: Bryophyte
- Roots: None
- Spreads by: Spores & fragments
- Sources: University extension only
- Zones: 3–9 by species
Moss appeared and you didn’t plant it? → Diagnose it first
Choosing a species? → Live moss species
Moss with stone? → Moss and stone
Ready to plant? → How to grow a moss lawn
Grow sun-tolerant moss from a slurry: Bryum sun-moss milkshake.
Deep, damp shade? Sheet moss or fern moss.
Most lawn-like underfoot? Turf carpet moss.
Full sun? Bryum, star moss or Racomitrium — see sun vs shade moss.
| Species | Light | Zones | Water | Look |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sheet Moss (Hypnum imponens) | Shade / part shade | 3–9 | Regular | Flat feathery carpet; bestseller |
| Carpet Moss (Hypnum spp.) | Shade / part shade | 3–9 | Regular | Dense low carpet |
| Turf Carpet Moss (Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus) | Shade / part shade | 4–9 | Regular | Springy turf-like pile |
| Fern Moss (Thuidium delicatulum) | Shade / part shade | 3–9 | Regular | Lacy woodland fronds |
| Cushion Moss (Leucobryum glaucum) | Sun to part shade | 3–9 | Moderate | Plush mounds; display |
| Mood Moss (Dicranum scoparium) | Shade / part shade | 3–9 | Moderate | Windswept tufts; display |
| Haircap Moss (Polytrichum commune) | Sun to part shade | 3–9 | Moderate | Upright miniature forest |
| Tree Apron Moss (Anomodon attenuatus) | Shade / part shade | 4–9 | Moderate | Mats for trunks and walls |
| Spoon-Leaved Moss (Bryoandersonia illecebra) | Shade / part shade | 4–9 | Moderate | Glossy rounded strands |
| Bryum Moss (Bryum caespiticium) | Full sun | 3–9 | Low | Tight emerald cushion |
| Star Moss (Tortella tortuosa) | Full sun | 4–9 | Low | Starry rosettes |
| Sun Moss (Racomitrium canescens) | Full sun | 3–8 | Low | Silver-green, drought-proof |
Specs from the product data; every species links its complete guide. Buy any of them live in the moss collection.
Every page in Live Moss Species
Eighteen live species — not one generic “moss”.
Moss is not interchangeable. Cushion moss and sheet moss want shade and moisture; sun moss and star moss take open ground. Not sure? The live moss sample box lets you see what actually takes on your site.
Moss Lawns pillar →Where this moss comes from. Our live moss, moss milkshakes and Moss-Tac are grown and produced by our sister company, Moss & Stone Gardens — organically harvested in the Appalachian mountains, USA. Competitive Lawn does not grow or harvest the moss; we list it as a lawn alternative and they produce and fulfil it. We say so plainly because you deserve to know who actually grew the plant.
Cluster index; every page below carries its own university-extension sources.