Becky Striepe
I just love a DIY urban beautification project! Whether we’re talking about Kintta’s yarn graffiti or using seedbombs to spread greenery to blighted spaces, I’m struck by how much a little color can impact the urban landscape. Moss graffiti art and moss carvings definitely fall under this umbrella.
Moss Graffiti Art
Unlike spray paint, moss graffiti art is all natural and healthy to work with. You can paint words or images, and the moss fills in like magic! It’s easy as pie to whip up a batch of moss paint. Here’s how:
In your blender, combine:
- One can of cheap beer or 1 1/2 cups buttermilk
- A few handfuls of moss
- One teaspoon of sugar.
Blend until the mixture is smooth, and you’re ready to get painting!
You can use a brush to paint your moss onto concrete walls, rocks, or brick. Mist the moss once a day to help it thrive, and soon your green graffiti will take hold! If you’re looking to take this project to the streets, use caution- we don’t want to be responsible for any vandalism charges!
Moss Carvings
Already have a mossy wall? You can also play around with using that as your canvas and carve a design right into the moss. Use a spoon or a butter knife to carve out your designs. Again, be careful if you’re not on your own property! You don’t want to get in trouble for trespassing.
Have you guys seen other examples of cool, moss graffiti art? Share away in the comments!
You might also like…
- Homemade Sidewalk Chalk
- Stain Unfinished Wood Toys with Vibrant Colors
- Preserve Autumn Leaves with Melted Beeswax
- 5 Easy DIY Accessories to Make Using Natural Materials
Image Credits: Moss Graffiti. Creative Commons photo by webponce, Moss Carvings. Creative Commons photo by greatg
How does moss keep up in the winter? I’d love to do this, but do I have to wait until Spring?
I wouldn’t try to start moss during the winter. It might do OK if you can get it established before the first freeze and are very attentive with spritzing it, but you may be better off waiting for warmer, damper weather.
Thanks for the amazing idea and post! I know others asked, but I’d love some more specifics on:
-What kind of moss to use, how/where to get it, and in what form you throw it into the mix.
-I’d also like to know what works the best- the beer or buttermilk?
-And any more specific planting instructions, like when/what time of year. How much light/water it needs on a daily basis, and even how long it takes to sprout and then expand from the original shape.
Thanks again, and I look forward to hearing back from you. Any details or info on that stuff would be much appreciated! Happy November 🙂
-Krystal Wight Armstrong
Cinematic Artist
Dream | Believe | Create
KWightArmstrong.com
I’d use moss that you find in your area. Like Caitlyn says above, you want the green fuzzy find. Just scrape some into a container, and you’re ready to go.
I’m not sure how buttermilk works. Since I’m vegan, I’ve only done moss milkshakes with beer.
You want warm, humid weather if possible, so late spring/early summer is probably ideal.
How long it takes to grow depends on a few factors, like how humid the air is, how much you spritz, and what kind of moss you found. It can take as little as 3 or 4 weeks or as long as 8 weeks, so be patient! 🙂
Hi there – quick question, and it may be a silly one. I’m assuming after ‘painting’ you’re spritzing the area regularly with with just the beer/sugar mixture (sans moss)? Obviously it’d have to be only on the letters, because otherwise the moss would spread…just wondering how you’d do it in the beginning since the moss wouldn’t have taken hold so quickly (might be difficult to see where to spray) – without using outlines or something.
Yep! just spritz it with the water/sugar mixture. You don’t have to be super precise, but you might try to spritz just the moss. It shouldn’t spread too much. At first, you can spritz the whole area without worrying too much. Since, like you said, the moss hasn’t taken hold, it will most likely start growing where you painted it. The spreading shouldn’t be an issue so early on.
Is this easy to remove? I want to try it out on the balcony of my apartment, my husband said I could if I asked the landlords. I figure they’ll want to be sure it comes off easily in order to allow it. Does it just scrape off? Is there any chance of being overcome with unwanted moss?
That’s a good question! I’m not sure about how easy it is to remove. You might scrub it off with a coarse brush (like the kind you’d get to scrub a deck)? I also found this, which says it’s a natural product to get rid of moss:
http://www.mossoffproducts.com/site/about-mossoff/
I hope this helps!
Oh my goodness this is amazing and genius!! Thanks so much for sharing!
Will this only work on concrete and brick? What about a wood fence?
I’m not sure about wood, but I’d love to hear how it goes if you try it!
wondering if you tried it on wood? i also want to do this on my fence
I believe the moss (and be retained water) will rot a porous surface like wood.
This is the most amazing idea! I will have to do this with my kids. Thank you for sharing!
I can’t wait to try this….but really don’t wanna put moss in my blender. Any tips on how to mix it evenly without putting it in the blender?
Thanks
You could try using a mortar and pestle to grind up the moss, then whisking it together by hand, maybe.
I would go to the local thrift store and but one cheep for a project like this one.
How timely, I collected some moss only 5 hours ago. I intenden to keep and grow then apply to an plant pot or sculpture later on this winter. It is part of a intention to redesign my front garden. While quite wide, it fills only about 4 feet between tall house and the street. The removing and replacing plants will be expensive and lengthy. Maybe I could begin by posting a moss message saying ,”Time will tell” on the plaster wall.
What does this whole quote say?
How long does it take for the moss to grow? I want to do this for a student project and my exhibition is March 30th.
do i have to blender it with its roots and the soil? pls reply. 😀
You can, yep! Mine had roots and dirt in it.
oh thanks! i have to try it HAHA! this is so freakin amazing! hmm 😀
Nobody ever seems to answer the question…how long does it take to grow…please reply
I’m loving the look of this moss scape. Thanks for sharing all your information and to everyone else who asked the questions that crossed my mind too! Appreciated.
I love this idea too! can’t wait to give it a try
Please reply,
How long does it take to grow?
Seriously, the one question repeated over and over, how long will it take to grow. I suppose I’ll come back and answere if mine does! I did this yesterday and as of now it looks like mud, I can’t wait for it to get green so my neighbors will stop wondering why I painted the word “wonderment” with mud on a highly visible wall!!! I painted it under a walk way to my front door but realized it does get quite a bit of sun mid day, is it neccisary to keep moist 24/7, can it be dry a few hours? I’m having trouble keeping up with that in Colorado! I was so excited to find moss here though, deep in the mountains. It’s a desert where I live!
Wow, I sincerely apologize for the oversight! It depends on a lot of things, but can take up to 8 weeks. Hope this helps!
Okay so I think im going to try and use this technique for my wedding arrangements…. I was wondering if this would work on wood or cloth? I want to try to make an aisle runner and table runners…. what advice do you have for going about this?
Congratulations on your wedding. I came across this while looking at other moss ideas. Its not exactly growing fresh moss, but might be a second option. Your florist could also probably get it for you.
http://www.afloral.com/Dried-Preserved/2-Green-Moss-Balls-6-per-Bag_2
I have no connection to the above website.
I tried this, and it has been 2 weeks, still nothing. I have been sprinking it with a fine mist sprinkler… site gets partial sun so that may be a problem. I also added some hydrating gel to the mix. I think I may have gotten it to thin. May paint over it with a better mixture.
I’d like to try this. But the apartment folk would like to know if it’ll come off…does it? Can I help it come off faster?
This is amazing. Who came up with this? I so curious! I think this would make a great gift for someone you love. A moss heart on an old wooden board for Valentines. 🙂
Found it! Anne Garforth. http://www.crosshatchling.co.uk/
I love this. I want to try this!
can you use any kind of moss..like the stuff they sell in bags in the stores or does it have to be fresh… id love to buy some of the purple moss in a bag to do some designs but would it work
Does anyone know what kind of moss should be used in a reasonably hot but humid environment such as Darwin, Australia? I’m doing a creative arts assignment on my choice of Natural graffiti art!
Cool idea! What kind of moss do you use and where do you get it?
As for removing it, my mom had good success using bleach and water in equal parts for a problem spot on our patio. One or two applications would keep it clear for a year or so.
Wow what a great idea, I’m dying to try this out! One question about the removal though, does it leave a stain on the concrete wall of the text/pattern you use since concerete is a porous surface? I live on rent and don’t want to have a conversation with my landlord when I move out about why there is a permanent stain shaped in the form of an inspirational quote on the balcony wall. I guess I could blame it on ghosts but I’m not sure he’ll buy it 😉
If anybody who has already done this would be able to help it’d be greatly appreciated!
Man vs Pin Debunked this…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yMfwen84Wmo
Man vs Pin didn’t make it right plus moss like shade and the wall received some sun.
does it stain the concrete or painted concrete wall?