How To Grow Moss Between Pavers

Want to add a touch of timeless charm to your garden path or patio? Learning how to grow moss between pavers is a fantastic way to create a beautiful, green, and natural look. It’s easier than you might think, and the results are incredibly rewarding.

Moss softens hard lines, adds rich color, and creates a storybook feel underfoot. It thrives in shade where grass struggles, making it a perfect solution for those damp, dimly lit areas between your stones. This guide walks you through simple, effective methods to encourage moss to fill those gaps, turning a plain space into a magical one.

Before you start, it’s important to know that moss grows best in certain conditions. It prefers shade, moisture, and slightly acidic soil. Don’t worry if your space isn’t perfect—we’ll cover ways to help it along. The key is patience; moss establishes slowly but grows steadily once it’s happy.

Choosing the Right Moss for Your Pavers

Not all moss is the same. Picking a type that suits your climate and paver conditions will give you a big head start.

Sheet Moss (Hypnum): This is a popular choice for between pavers. It forms a dense, carpet-like mat that tolerates light foot traffic fairly well.
Haircap Moss (Polytrichum): It has a taller, more upright structure. It’s good for deeper gaps and can handle slightly drier conditions once established.
Cushion Moss (Leucobryum): Forms lovely, rounded clumps. It’s excellent for visual interest in larger gaps and is quite resilient.
Local Moss: The best option is often moss harvested from your own yard or a nearby area. It’s already adapted to your local weather and soil, so its more likely to thrive.

Preparing the Area Between Your Pavers

Preparation is 80% of the success. You need to create a welcoming bed for the moss to root into.

Clean the Gaps: Remove all weeds, grass, and debris from between the pavers. A narrow trowel or a specialized paving knife works great for this.
Test the pH: Moss likes acidic conditions (pH 5.0-6.0). You can buy a simple test kit. If your soil is too alkaline, you can gently acidify it by sprinkling a tiny bit of powdered sulfur or using a soil acidifier.
Roughen the Surface: If the paver sides and base of the gaps are very smooth, scratch them up a bit with a wire brush or the edge of your trowel. This gives the moss something to grip onto.
Ensure Good Contact: The soil in the gap should be level with or just below the paver surface. You don’t want it too high or too low.

Method 1: The Moss Milkshake (For Large Areas)

This is a fun and effective technique for seeding moss over a big patio or walkway. It’s like painting the gaps with moss.

Collect a few handfuls of healthy moss. You can use store-bought or harvested moss.
Break the moss into small pieces and put it in a blender.
Add 2 cups of buttermilk or plain yogurt (the acidity helps) and 2 cups of water. Blend until it looks like a thick, green smoothie.
Pour or brush this mixture directly into the clean gaps between your pavers. Try to get it mainly in the gaps, not all over the paver tops.
Mist the area lightly with water. You’ll need to keep it consistently moist for the next 3-4 weeks.

Method 2: Transplanting Moss Patches (For Precision)

If you have specific moss you like or are working on a smaller area, transplanting is very reliable.

Gently lift patches of moss from a donor area. Try to get as much of the underlying soil as possible.
Press these patches firmly into the prepared gaps between your pavers. Make sure the moss makes good contact with the soil underneath.
Use your fingers to firm the moss into place, shaping it to fit the gap if needed.
Water thoroughly immediately after planting.

Caring for Your New Moss

Consistent care in the first few months is crucial. Moss has shallow roots and dries out quickly.

Watering: Water daily for the first 2-3 weeks, preferably in the early morning or evening. A gentle mist from a hose or a watering can with a rose attachment is ideal. Once established, moss will need less frequent watering but will still appreciate it during dry spells.
Weeding: Keep the gaps free of weeds and grass seedlings, which can outcompete the slow-growing moss. Hand-pull them carefully as soon as you see them.
Feeding: Moss rarely needs fertilizer. In fact, to much can harm it. If you feel you must, a very weak solution of buttermilk and water sprayed on occasion can help.
Foot Traffic: While some mosses tolerate light stepping, try to minimize heavy traffic on the newly planted areas until they are fully knit together.

Troubleshooting Common Moss Problems

Even with the best care, you might encounter a hiccup or two. Here’s how to fix common issues.

Moss is Turning Brown or Yellow

This usually means it’s too dry or getting to much sun. Increase your watering frequency immediately and check if a tree has been trimmed, allowing more light in. You might need to provide some temporary shade.

Moss Isn’t Spreading

Patience is key. If it’s been months with no growth, ensure the soil is acidic enough and that your’re keeping it consistently damp. The moss milkshake method can sometimes give growth a boost in stubborn spots.

Weeds or Grass Invading

Stay on top of weeding. For persistent grass, a careful application of a grass-specific herbicide (applied with a small brush only to the grass blades) can help, but be extemely cautious not to get it on the moss.

Moss is Getting Too Thick

This is a good problem! You can thin it by gently lifting out sections and transplanting them to other bare gaps in your patio or sharing with a friend.

FAQ: Moss Between Pavers

Is moss between pavers slippery?
When wet, moss can be slippery, much like wet stone or brick. For high-traffic or stair areas, consider using a more textured paver or opting for a ground cover like creeping thyme instead.

Can I grow moss in full sun?
It’s very challenging. Moss naturally prefers shade and moisture. In full sun, it will likely dry out, turn brown, and struggle to survive unless you are in a very cool, humid climate and commit to frequent watering.

How long does it take for moss to fill in?
It depends on the method, moss type, and conditions. Transplanted patches establish faster. The “moss milkshake” method can take 2-3 months to show good coverage. Full, lush filling might take a year or more.

Will moss damage my pavers?
Generally, no. Moss is not parasitic and doesn’t have true roots that crack stone. However, it retains moisture against the paver surface. In freeze-thaw climates, this could potentially contribute to weathering over a very long period, but it’s not a significant concern for most homeowners.

What’s the best time of year to plant moss?
Early spring or fall are ideal. The cooler temperatures and more reliable rainfall help the moss establish without the stress of summer heat or winter frosts.

With these simple methods, you can successfully encourage a beautiful carpet of moss to grow between your pavers. Remember, the secret lies in preparation, choosing the right moss, and providing consistent moisture in the beginning. Before you know it, you’ll have a gorgeous, green pathway that looks like it’s been there for a hundred years. It’s a wonderful way to add character and a sense of peace to your outdoor space.