Books and resources about moss

Communities My favorite Facebook group is The Moss Appreciation Society. It's thoughtfully moderated and will fill your Facebook feed with beautiful images of moss in the wild. You'll also feel less like a weirdo for loving moss since more than 262,000 other people like moss enough to join a Facebook group dedicated to it.

Websites

Mossin' Annie is a kindred spirit for sure. Her site and book (listed below) were the gateway into moss gardening for me. She's based in North Carolina, and to my knowledge, is the only person in the country running a business entirely focused on moss.

Annie sells moss grown in her mossery and collected during moss rescues, and you can order right from her site. She is the foremost expert on moss gardening, and her joy and enthusiasm around mossing is contagious.

She doesn't update her site or YouTube channel regularly, but both have been expanded in the five years I've been following her online, and I always get excited when YouTube notifies me that she's released a new video.

Podcasts

The fabulous Allie Ward, host and creator of the Ologies podcast, did an hourlong interview with Dr. Robin Wall Kimmerer about bryology, which is the study of moss.

This is a perfect introduction to moss facts and history, and told from Dr. Kimmerer's indigenous botany perspective. She truly highlights why moss is so unique and remarkable. Dr. Kimmerer is the author of “Gathering Moss” which is listed below.

Books

Believe it or not, there are only a handful of books about moss currently in publication. I have copies of all of them, of course, and they're all wonderful in their own ways.

I've used Amazon affiliate links for each title below. Any purchases you make from this site will give me a small commission at no additional cost to you. If you find this site helpful, I'd love for you to use a link below when buying at Amazon. Thanks for your support!

The Magical World of Moss Gardening

This book is by Mossin' Annie, and it's my favorite on the topic. If you only buy one book about moss, make it this one. It helps you identify mosses in a way that's particularly useful on the east coast of the USA, and provides practical strategies for helping moss thrive. Additionally, Annie showcases some really cool design ideas that will inspire you to get creative.

I like Annie's approach because she isn't too precious with her moss, and she does a good job debunking moss myths. She affirms my belief that you should never make a "moss milkshake" as a growing technique, as it's ineffective and kills moss in order to try to grow more.

She's also one of the few folks who don't insist you use filtered water on your moss. That may be necessary in some regions, but both Annie and I have found our native mosses do just fine with water straight from the garden hose or tap.

Moss: From Forest to Garden: A Guide to the Hidden World of Moss

Published in 2019, this book is visually stunning and a pleasure to read. As an American, I found Mossin' Annie's book above more relevant, but this book would be my go-to if I lived in Europe or was commissioned to work with native mosses there (I can dream, right?) This is a beautiful book that's so enjoyable to spend time with. I keep it on my coffee table because it makes me happy to see it everyday. It's a must-read for folks who want to explore moss in the natural world (versus Annie's book, which is about moss gardening.)

Gathering Moss: A Natural and Cultural History of Mosses

This book is not intended to be a practical guide to growing moss or step-by-step instructions. Instead, it offers a captivating narrative structure which makes it highly readable from cover to cover, instead of being used as a reference book like the others on this page.

It's written by the indigenous bryologist and botanist Dr. Robin Wall Kimmer, who uses native storytelling techniques to weave a lovely narrative about moss.

I have a physical copy but also purchased it in audio from, and strongly recommend it as an audiobook. It's narrated by the author, who has a soothing, calming voice that is so peaceful to have as a companion. I have listened to this book multiple times while moss gardening and taking leisurely walks in the forest, and it's helped me connect more deeply with my environment.

"Gathering Moss" has helped me look at moss in a whole new light. It also helped me uncover the history of how moss has been used throughout time, which is remarkably difficult information to find.

This is a must-read for anyone who connects with moss and plants on a spiritual level, or who values the traditional ways of relating to plants. I also recommend the audio version, of her book Braiding Sweetgrass, which is about indigenous botanical practices and follows a similar narrative structure as "Gathering Moss."

Mosses of the Northern Forest: A Photographic Guide (The Northern Forest Atlas Guides)

This is the most recently published book on moss for the layperson, and was released in 2020. It's a fresh-looking, beautiful book which I keep on my coffee table and admire regularly.

I love how the author showcases moss against a black background instead of a white one, and uses glossy pages in a photo-based text. This really emphasizes some of the microscopic detail of mosses and would be a pleasure for anyone with an interest in botany or bryology to read.

Miniature Moss Gardens: Create Your Own Japanese Container Gardens (Bonsai, Kokedama, Terrariums & Dish Gardens)

This is a fun book if you have kids and want to make terrariums together, or ig you are just getting started with miniature moss gardens. It's great for folks who like step-by-step instructions and pictures showing you exactly what to do in order to get started with mini moss gardens.

Moss Artists to Follow

K8TheEarthling is the first moss artist I found online, and seeing her work literally took my breath away. She's been a tremendous inspiration to me, and it's been so cool to follow Kate's journey as a moss artist.