Moss from the woods doesn’t work as well and should be left in the wild. You can buy moss from nurseries or online sources who grow it commercially. Avoid hypnum, moss, peat moss, and dried moss because these varieties either can’t be made into a paint or won’t grow well on vertical surfaces. If you don’t see moss growing anywhere in your area, the moss paint probably won’t work in your climate.
Use a colander to prevent losing bits of moss down the drain.
Make sure your blender is large enough to accommodate the moss along with 4 cups (950 mL) of liquid ingredients. A blender that holds up to 8 cups (1,900 mL) is perfect.
Vegan yogurt is an environmentally-friendly alternative to regular yogurt. If you’re concerned about water usage, just be aware that almond-based yogurt requires lots of water to make.
The goal is to get the moss paint looking like a thick milkshake.
If the mixture is too thick, add water and re-blend it until it’s the right consistency.
If you’re using the moss paint right away, transfer it to a large bucket and get painting!
This paint is very tasty to slugs. Start your painting well above ground level so your art doesn’t get eaten!
Consider laying the tape in geometric designs for a subtractive, modern look. You can also create a moss frame by laying down 2 strips around the outer edges of your design, painting the middle area, and peeling them off.
Cardboard stencils will help you create clean lettering and familiar shapes. For example, use sharp scissors or an X-ACTO knife to cut out petals and a circle to create a flower. It may help to have a friend hold larger stencils for you while you paint. You can also try attaching it with duct tape. Note that using stencils isn’t as effective on walls with uneven or non-flat textures (like bricks, rock walls, or rough spackle). You can still use stencils but you’ll need to clean up the edges later on with a small paintbrush. If you already small have plastic stencils, feel free to use those for little details.
Make sure to use clean brushes—any paint residue will kill the moss! If you’re using tape to create a design, wait about 30 minutes to 1 hour after painting for the paint to take hold before you peel off the tape.
Alternatively, you can fill a spray bottle with lime juice and spray it on the wall that way. You’ll still need to use a rag to wipe the paint away. If you don’t have a paint or clay scraping tool, you can use a stainless steel spatula or dull butterknife. You can also take a subtractive approach to your art by slathering on a big square of moss paint and removing sections with lime juice and a towel, sponge, or scraping tool.
Spraying the moss with water is especially important if you live in a dry environment.
If you notice slight imperfections to your piece, spray it with lime juice to kill the moss and then wipe it away. Your moss graffiti will last for as long as the climate conditions allow. If your area stays humid all year, it should last for a long time! But if you live in an area that goes from humid to dry very quickly or with the change of seasons, it probably won’t survive through the dry season. Spring and fall are great times to grow moss because there’s more moisture in the air.
