Java Moss can grow out of water. However, it needs moisture and light to survive. In the wild, Java Moss grows on rocks in shallow waters and on land using roots of other plants to meet its moisture requirement. That’s how it can easily thrive in water and land as long as it gets enough water.
Let’s now see how to grow Java Moss outside the water.
How To Grow Java Moss Out Of Water?
Java Moss is a fuss-free aquatic plant that survives in harsh conditions.
Besides, moss grows even in the absence of soil by attaching its rhizoids to rocks, logs, and other objects.
Moss can grow on land in an enclosed environment as long as it gets light and adequate moisture to survive.
Given below is how you can grow Java Moss out of water.
1. Provide Sufficient Water
Java Moss needs constant moisture, or it will dry out quickly when exposed to air. So you will need to keep it moist.
Also, Java Moss needs more attention when you grow it outside the water.
It will do best with regular water spraying to keep it wet.
So, unlike other terrarium mosses, Java Moss is a bit high maintenance plant.
To fulfill its water requirement, you can dig out an area near a pool where you want the plant to grow.
Then, install a pump to lift the water from the pool and circulate it throughout the gravel substrate.
Moreover, you can add compost to provide the necessary nutrients for making the plant healthy.
2. Attach The Java Moss Plant
Java Moss doesn’t need a specific type of substrate to grow. It doesn’t have roots.
Instead, it absorbs nutrients through its leaves.
Java Moss uses rhizoids to attach itself to the soil, large gravel, rocks, driftwood, decorations, or other surfaces.
For example, you can create a carpet or use driftwood to grow it like a tree.
However, if you want to grow it out of the water, then attach it to soil, rock, or wood because they can assist Java Moss to grow better by holding the moisture longer than other surfaces.
3. Provide Adequate Lighting
Java Moss is the most versatile plant you can ever grow. It thrives best under bright lights but also does well in dim-lit environments.
It usually grows faster when exposed to bright lights, so using a grow light can be helpful if you want to accelerate its growth.
However, it can easily survive under LED or other lighting fixtures too.
4. Maintain Proper Temperature
Java Moss can survive a wide temperature range. However, it grows faster in colder conditions.
Therefore, the optimal temperature range for growing Java Moss outside an aquarium is between 60°F to 86°F (16°C to 30°C).
On the other hand, temperatures above 30°C will slow down its growth.
5. Create Humidity
An aquatic plant needs lots of moisture to grow when kept in a non-aquatic environment.
A Java Moss plant doesn’t have any roots, so it absorbs all its water through the air.
Java Moss needs high humidity in the range of 90%.
So you will need a closed enclosure to mimic the humidity levels found in its natural habitat.
6. Perform Regular Maintenance
Java Moss grows larger in the wild than in an enclosed environment as an aquatic plant.
In addition, the plant’s growth is more restrained on land than in water.
However, you can create a carpet to help Java Moss spread out evenly.
Moreover, you don’t want your plant to grow into a shapeless blob.
So regular trimming and pruning will stimulate faster and healthier growth.
Let’s now understand what problems Java Moss faces while growing out of water.
3 Problems That Java Moss Can Face Out Of Water
Java Moss can survive out of water.
However, there are challenges that you will encounter while growing it on land or other surfaces outside the water.
Given below are some of the problems you may face while growing Java Moss out of water.
1. Inadequate Moisture
Java Moss is an aquatic plant. So you need to ensure that it gets adequate moisture for its growth.
This plant will dry out rapidly in the absence of moisture.
Growing Java Moss out of an aquarium means making a water reservoir to provide adequate moisture to the plant.
In the absence of a reservoir, you will have to spray water to keep this plant moist.
2. Overgrowth
Java Moss grows slowly compared to most aquatic plants. So you will need to trim it to maintain its shape and aesthetics.
Trimming the plant outside the water is easier but necessary to avoid overgrowth.
Also, Java Moss can grow thick and dense. So regular trimming will improve its visual appeal.
3. High Maintenance
To keep loose or decaying branches of the Java Moss plant away, you will have to prune them.
Pruning keeps the plants healthy and safe.
Regular pruning encourages healthier growth as light can easily penetrate the moss plant’s stems and leaves.
So growing Java Moss out of the water needs higher maintenance compared to growing it in the water.
How Long Can Java Moss Live Out Of Water?
Java Moss is an aquatic plant that can live for about ten years.
However, it ultimately depends on the environment and maintenance.
With proper care and attention, you can help Java Moss live longer.
By taking proper care and providing adequate nutrients, you can help your moss plant remain vibrant and healthy.
Finally, you can ensure that the plant remains healthy and maintains a visual aesthetic with proper trimming and pruning.
Can Java Moss Grow On Sand?
Java Moss can’t grow on sand because it can’t anchor itself in the sand. Besides, sand is too dense and soft for Java Moss to use its rhizoids to attach itself to the surface. However, you can use large rock fragments or other objects to anchor the Java Moss plant in the sand.
Java Moss is a versatile plant and is often used for creating underwater landscapes in an aquarium.
This plant can’t live on sand.
However, you can create a moss carpet or tree by adding root tabs, rock fragments, driftwood, or other substrates in the sand to allow this plant to anchor itself on them.