Irish Moss Ground Cover Plants & Seed

Irish Moss Seeds

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Groundcover Specifications

Season: Perennial

USDA Zones: 4 - 10

Height: 1 - 2 inches

Width: 6 - 12 inches

Bloom Season: Spring and summer

Bloom Color: White

Growth Rate: Moderate

Environment: Full sun to partial shade

Foot Traffic: Moderate

Deer Resistant: Yes

Planting Directions

Temperature: 64 - 72F

Average Germ Time: 14 - 21 days

Light Required: Yes

Depth: Surface sow seed, do not cover

Soil Type: Moisture retentive, gritty, well-drained soil, pH 5.5 - 7.0

Sowing Rate: 3 - 5 seeds per cell or approximately 5000 seeds covers 100 square feet

Moisture: Keep soil slightly moist, but not wet until germination

Plant Spacing: 6 - 9 inches

Note: For detailed directions for indoor and outdoor planting, please Click Here

Care & Maintenance: Irish Moss

Irish Moss (Sagina Subulata)

Some of the images above are Irish Moss started from seed. Flowering occured approximately 3 months later, but this is quite variable. In just eight weeks, the Irish moss was thick and full. Grow this luxurious, evergreen ground cover plant from Irish Moss seed. Mossy foliage grows just 1 - 2 inches tall, for lovely color between flagstones or spilling over rocks. Dense tufts of slender stems grow together to form a lush carpet of green. Small, star-shaped, white flowers cover this flowering ground cover plant from late spring until mid-summer.

Beautiful Carpet of green and gold

Use Irish moss where a very low, fine-textured carpet of green or gold is desired, such as around stepping stones, between flagstones, or at the edges of a path as they tolerate light foot traffic.

short irish moss groundover plant

Irish Moss | lowest growing groundcover

How to grow

Sow Irish Moss seeds in starter flats, press the tiny seeds into soil but do not cover. Kept at 64 - 72F, germination is in 14 - 21 days. Transplant into the garden 6 - 9 inches apart.

The ground cover seed must be kept moist continuously. It will be adaptable to mostly sunny locations in cooler climates or partial shade in warmer climates. Irish Moss ground cover needs moisture retentive, gritty, well-drained soil. Do not cover seeds

  • Lowest growing ground cover on the market only growing 1 - 2 inches tall.
  • Pelleted option available for easier planting and germination
  • Forms a lush and dense carpet of green
  • Very soft to walk on — can be used as a lawn grass substitute
irish moss groundcover 2 inches tall

Low maintenance option

The very tiny Irish Moss seeds create a moss-like, emerald-green foliage that forms a compact 1 - 2 inch tall carpet. Sagina Subulata ground cover is excellent for planting between flagstones. Grown as a lawn substitute, it creates the effect of a moss-covered meadow.

  • Average Germ Time: 14 - 21 days
  • USDA Zones: 4 - 10
  • Season: Perennial
  • Height: 1 - 2 inches
irish moss groundcover plant

Benefits of Irish moss

Foot Traffic Friendly: Most groundcovers are utilized in landscape areas away from heavy traffic or in conjunction with stones or pavers to create walking areas. However, irish moss can take light or even moderate foot traffic.

Guards against weeds: The dense and weaved green carpet formed by Irish moss crowds out most weeds. Irish moss also allows your soil to retain more moisture, reducing overall water usage.

Stability for Slopes: Irish moss is a low maintenance option for slopes, the roots help control soil erosion from heavy winter rains.

Perfect for a serene and bare-foot friendly path, Irish moss is also an excellent plant for rock gardens, where it forms a soft carpet of evergreen color amidst the gruff boulders. It is well suited for container plantings, where it will slowly creep to cover open soil. Growing just about 1-2 inch tall and boasting pretty white flowers, Irish moss is a nearly perfect plant for all gardens.