Am I Taking Good Care Of My Irish Moss?

Did you planted your Irish moss in a shady location?

Did you planted your Irish moss in a well-drained, fertile soil?

Do you live in a region with intensely hot and dry summers?

Do you water your Irish moss regularly but not deeply?

Do you fertilize your Irish moss frequently?

Do you keep your Irish moss free of pests and diseases?

Irish Moss grows best in full sun or partial shade. If it's in an overly shady position, it can result in the plant losing some of its compact quality, and less attractive mounds can develop.

Irish Moss doesn't do well if the soil becomes water-logged so well-drained soil is a requirement. This plant prefers fertile soil, but it can grow in sandy, loamy and chalky soils. You may need to add organic matter to help it survive in areas where the summers are hot and dry, or if the soil isn't particularly fertile.

Irish moss groundcover does not do well when planted in regions of intensely hot and dry summers, and this type of weather can result in the dense green shades turning an unattractive burnt brown. Usually, once the weather cools in the fall, the moss reverts to its normal color again.

It can be difficult to get the watering levels right with Irish Moss. If you go too far, either way, it can result in brown patches developing. It isn't drought-tolerant, and it can't cope with overly soggy conditions. Regular, but not deep watering is best for Irish Moss.

Using a slow-release fertilizer annually in the springtime can help the plant grow to a tidy uniform one-inch height. Under ideal conditions, each plant will quickly increase to cover a spread of about nine inches. However, if Irish Moss receives too much nitrogen as a result of overfertilization, it can result in an irregular growth pattern giving the moss the appearance of undulating rather than having a compact and low-growing form.

Good job! You are taking good care of your Irish moss.

Irish Moss is relatively pest and disease-free. It can, however, be attractive to slugs. To control slugs and snails use diatomaceous earth around your plants. You can also handpick them during the night or use shallow dishes filled with beer as a trap.