Because moss does not have a natural root system or water vessels, it grows rapidly on a surface if there is a situation that is wet and humid.
Moss requires only moisture, enough light, and a growth medium with sufficient nutrients. Moss indeed does grow on surfaces such as terrarium glass walls, roofs, paths, and soil surfaces, the only exception being saline surfaces.
The preferable way to clean your moss is to saturate the entire surface of the terrarium by spraying it first with water and scraping the moss or use a white vinegar solution to spray it down and scrape. Just be aware of other healthy plants and be aware not to harm them too.
Steps of Killing Moss in a Terrarium
Using Dish Soap or Detergents
Combine about four liters of water with liquid dish soap.
With a bottle that has holes drilled at the lid or using a spraying can, aim the nozzle at the targeted area, spray the Moss with the solution, avoiding plants, as they will die from the mixture too.
When you apply the solution, make sure the plants are moist.
Schram performs a complete kill dead in 24 hours, with the Moss browning and then dying, then you can uproot the left out Moss. Note, the solution may not kill the rhizoids.
Final Step: Scrub the Moss and get it away from any plant or soil to prevent it from germinating again.
Using Vinegar
- It is far better to use vinegar, as it is more natural and safer than man-made chemicals.
- Fill a plastic sprayer halfway with white or apple cider vinegar. Do not try to dilute the vinegar with water.
- Gently spray the vinegar onto the Moss. Be careful to not spray the healthy plants in the terrarium. Coat the Moss until it is thoroughly wet and wait about 10 minutes for the vinegar to kill the plant.
- Use a sponge or brush and brush or scrub away the appliable Moss and rinse it with water.
An additional approach you might want to try is using a combination of vinegar and salt, water, and soap.
Make a mixture of:
- one tablespoon of vinegar
- 5 liters of water
- a quarter percent of the total mixture of soap
- and half a kilogram of salt
Remember: Any mixture with vinegar is dangerous as it can kill other plants in a terrarium.
Physical Removal of Moss in a Terrarium
Lightly spray the patches of moss within the terrarium to limit airborne spores while scraping it out.
Moss does not have a root structure, so it’s fairly simple to scrape the moss away from the surface of the terrarium or the dirt without hurting other plants present.
Use a piece of absorbent material or an absorbent napkin to soak up the moss.
Let the terrarium dry while allowing air circulation before watering the plants again.
From experience, there’s a good chance that moss will grow back as time passes, but this is simply a temporary fix; not a permanent fix. This method is encouraged if the acidic soil is desired for the other plants.
What If Moss Growth Is Severe?
Carefully take out the plants and any other objects in the terrarium.
Disinfect the terrarium with hot water and a disinfectant such as dish soap, and wash any other items that were in the terrarium.
Replace the soil and throw away infected parts of the plant (leaves, stem, roots, or anything remaining of the plant).
How to Ensure the Moss Does Not Grow Again
To ensure that the Moss does not grow again, ensure there is air in the terrarium twice every month before watering the plants:
- Airing out avoids water going stale, which accelerates the growth of the Moss.
- Make sure that there is drainage in the terrarium for any excess water to be flushed.
- Make use of a layer of charcoal to soak up impurities and fight fungi.
- Avoid overwatering the terrarium, but if you do ensure air moving through. I.e. the walls of a closed terrarium shouldn’t have water droplets for long periods of time, otherwise, the Moss will start to grow. You can dry out any water with an absorbent material like a towel.
- You should open closed terrariums once a week for one day.
- You should replace the overused soil. You can even warm the soil to disinfect it.
Disadvantages of Cleaning Moss in a Terrarium
Moss makes for an ideal container plant, in particular terrariums, due to its typical needs of very little soil, low light, and dampness, not watering the plant much.
Moss will stay alive if light is ensured once a week, water the plant 2 times weekly using a spray gun, while not placing the plant in direct sunlight so that the plant does not dry out.
Problems would arise in the moss if overwatering is an issue, wrong placement of the terrarium (ex. dark places with insufficient light), wrong pots/containers being used, and wrong requirements for the plants.
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|
| Moss adds a decorative texture to your terrarium. | Creates an annoying look when unwanted. |
| It gives an attractive color to the container. To maintain the good color, moist the Moss often and spray it twice using a spray gun. | Makes the surface look uneven. |
| It covers the soil layer, which gives it a natural greenwood appearance. | Moss can cause damage to the terrarium walls. |
| Rhizoids (roots hairs) aid the plants in maintaining their shapes. | |
| Absorb water and retain nutrients in their bodies. | |
| Keeps the soil moist by soaking up water hence keeping the conditions humid? | |
| It prevents erosion when watering plants in the terrarium. |
Pros & Cons of having moss in a terrarium
Final Thoughts
Moss is a small, non-flowering plant which doesn’t have a root system and grows on almost any damp surface.
Although it is not harmful to the plants in your terrarium, many people may find it unappealing and wish to remove it.
There are multiple ways of taking care of moss on your terrarium, including homemade remedies like vinegar or salt solution, scrubbing it off, and buying a commercially made moss kill.