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Cushion Moss
2. Clumpy moss (e.g., <anchor>Cushion Moss</anchor>) is gorgeous but more challenging. Not in terms of care, but in that it’s more challenging to place. It has a thick, fibrous underside that holds the moss together, which needs to be trimmed off; once it’s off, it’s tricky to hold the moss clumps together as you place them. Shop Cushion Moss.
Leucobryum glaucum (Cushion Moss / Pillow Moss) Care Tips
Leucobryum glaucum (Cushion Moss / Pillow Moss) Care Tips[Skip to content](#content "Skip to content")

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# Leucobryum glaucum (Cushion Moss / Pillow Moss) Care Tips

By [Dan](https://terrariumtribe.com/author/dan/ "View all posts by Dan") /  June 10, 2024

Pincushion Moss is a true terrarium staple.

Seriously. I rarely build a terrarium without it. It would be like Christmas without turkey!

Immediately recognizable by its lush green mounds – hence the _many_ cushion-based names – _Leucobryum glaucum_ is a welcome addition to any project.

Honestly, with such fluffy verdant texture, there’s no easier way to bring a terrarium to life. Placing just a few of these clumps can instantly transform a landscape from boring to vibrant.

Easy to care for, stunning, and versatile – is this the pièce de résistance of terrariums and vivariums?

Let’s find out.

![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns=%22http://www.w3.org/2000/svg%22%20viewBox=%220%200%201200%201800%22%3E%3C/svg%3E)

## Pincushion Moss – Uses, Characteristics & Habitat

Whether you know it as Cushion Moss, Bun Moss, Pincushion Moss, or Pillow Moss, one thing we can all agree on is that _Leucobryum glaucum_ is one of a kind.

It’s actually a temperate moss found in woodland and wetlands areas around the world. But don’t let that fool you; it performs better in tropical terrariums than most tropical mosses.

That’s because of its incredible **adaptability** and **versatility**.

Being an acrocarpous moss, it doesn’t branch out and instead grows in very compact ‘clumps.’ Making it perfect for terrariums of all shapes and sizes.

![cushion moss clump in front of terrarium](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns=%22http://www.w3.org/2000/svg%22%20viewBox=%220%200%201200%201800%22%3E%3C/svg%3E)A perfect Cushion Moss clump!

For starters:

- **It’s never going to outgrow a space**– As they mature, they don’t get much bigger; their leaves just seem to flesh out a little.
- **You can tear it apart to create perfectly sized clumps**– Whether you need a large mound or just a button-sized amount to fill a space, you can create exactly what you need.
- **It’s super easy to place and sculpt** – The chunks of moss are much more manageable to intentionally set than their sheet moss counterparts. Allowing you to make a seamless mossy landscape.

Honestly, what’s not to love?

👉 You can shop [Live Cushion Moss](https://shop.terrariumtribe.com/products/cushion-moss) directly on our store!

![cushion moss in tweezers](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns=%22http://www.w3.org/2000/svg%22%20viewBox=%220%200%201200%201800%22%3E%3C/svg%3E)_Here’s one I prepared earlier! The tiniest clump of Cushion Moss, ready to go._

## Pillow Moss Care Guide

**Plant Type**Moss**Lighting**Medium – high indirect light**Temperature**65-80°F (18-26°C)**Watering**Regular, even moisture**Humidity**Medium – high humidity (50-90%)**Growth**1-5 inches (in a terrarium)

### Lighting

While Pillow Moss can tolerate a low-light terrarium environment, it really needs a bit more sunlight to truly thrive. More so than other popular mosses – so I’d aim for the gold standard: **bright, indirect light**.

For those of you in the Northern Hemisphere, a North-facing or East-facing windowsill is perfect. On the flip side, if you live in the Southern Hemisphere, opt for a South-facing or West-facing windowsill.

![bright cushion moss clump](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns=%22http://www.w3.org/2000/svg%22%20viewBox=%220%200%201200%201800%22%3E%3C/svg%3E)_You can see how vibrant the green is when it’s had lots of bright indirect light._

Ultimately, see what works, try it out in a few locations, and don’t hesitate to supplement with a grow light if need be.

One thing to note, Pillow Moss does best when kept out of direct sunlight. Which is handy when almost every terrarium plant prefers indirect light, too.

It can tolerate a _little_ direct light, so I wouldn’t worry if it gets a few hours here or there.

![cushion moss with white patches](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns=%22http://www.w3.org/2000/svg%22%20viewBox=%220%200%201200%201800%22%3E%3C/svg%3E)_This piece had been sat in a terrarium in direct light – RIP moss!_

### Watering

This temperate, spongy moss thrives in moisture-rich environments.

So, for best results, you’ll want to **keep it consistently moist** but not completely saturated.

As you’d expect from a sponge, _Leucobryum glaucum_ retains water incredibly well, too. Which is excellent for boosting humidity in a terrarium, but it also means it can be easily overwatered if you’re pouring rather than spraying/misting.

I find the easiest way to get started is to soak your Pincushion Moss in water until it’s fully rehydrated and then squeeze out all of the excess moisture.

![squeezing water out of soaked cushion moss](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns=%22http://www.w3.org/2000/svg%22%20viewBox=%220%200%201200%201800%22%3E%3C/svg%3E)_Here’s the juicy moss shot you’re all here for._

In a high-humidity closed terrarium, that should be plenty to keep it going for a long while!

When it does need a top-up, a light misting with a spray bottle is all it takes.

![watering bonsai terrarium](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns=%22http://www.w3.org/2000/svg%22%20viewBox=%220%200%201200%201800%22%3E%3C/svg%3E)_Just a few sprays from a water bottle are usually enough, especially if you’ve pre-soaked the moss._

### Substrate / Soil

Moss doesn’t have any roots, right?

So, thesubstrate choice isn’t super crucial like it is for plants.

In the end, your Cushion Moss is going to get most of its moisture from the air and direct watering. So you can be confident that your moss will grow fine on whichever terrarium substrate you choose.

That said, if you’re pairing your moss with other terrarium plants, our [signature terrarium substrate mix](https://shop.terrariumtribe.com/products/terrarium-substrate-mix) is a good, balanced option.

**Pro tip**: It does have tiny root-like structures called “rhizoids” on the bottom, so it can be helpful to press Cushion Moss down a little to anchor to the substrate.

![trimming fibrous excess off cushion moss](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns=%22http://www.w3.org/2000/svg%22%20viewBox=%220%200%201200%201800%22%3E%3C/svg%3E)_This brown fibrous stuff can be easily trimmed to keep only the lovely green leaves. I like to use my tweezers here so it’s pre-loaded!_

### Temperature & Humidity

Pincushion Moss is an incredibly adaptable species.

Thanks to its temperate nature, it’ll happily grow at a **typical room temperature range** of 65-80°F (18-26°C).

Humidity is more critical, so you’ll definitely need a closed container for this one. The higher the humidity, the better, as it can quickly dry out if exposed to dry air.

Thankfully, most closed terrariums can easily reach 90%+ humidity.

That being said, If you’ve pre-soaked your moss, it’ll probably manage to retain its moisture even in lower humidity levels. You’ll just need to mist it more frequently.

### Growth

Though Pillow Moss can grow to be quite large in the wild, they barely seem to grow at all in terrariums.

![holding cushion moss clump](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns=%22http://www.w3.org/2000/svg%22%20viewBox=%220%200%201200%201800%22%3E%3C/svg%3E)_Look at the size of this chunk!_

You’ll notice that **they tend to grow longer and bushier** rather than broader or taller.

So, you don’t need to worry about your little fluff ball becoming one of those outdoor giants (or outgrowing your terrarium/ [mossarium](https://terrariumtribe.com/diy-moss-terrarium-mossarium/)). But it might need pruning occasionally.

A little off the top should be all that’s required.

![trimming cushion moss in terrarium](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns=%22http://www.w3.org/2000/svg%22%20viewBox=%220%200%201200%201800%22%3E%3C/svg%3E)_This Cushion Moss had got a little too big for my liking after two years._

### Pincushion Moss Propagation

Unlike carpeting mosses, you won’t be able to propagate Pincushion Moss through division.

Instead, new plants form at the edges of each tuft, which then fall off and form new cushion colonies.

Cushion colonies, how adorable…

Though I can’t say, I’ve seen much of this occurring in my terrarium projects.

### Varieties & Similar Plants – Cushion Moss Vs Mood Moss

Typically when people mention Cushion Moss, they’re referring to _Leucobryum glaucum._

But if we’re being technical, it’s actually more of an umbrella term, encompassing any of the _Leucobryum_ genus that forms ‘clumps.’

This includes _Leucobryum juniperoideum_ – _glaucum_‘s lesser-known little sister – which tends to form much smaller clumps with much shorter leaves (also known as phyllids… the more you know).

Cushion Moss often gets confused with Mood Moss – _Dicranum scoparium._ They’re by far the two most popular and commercially available clumpy mosses on the market.

![holding mood moss clump in fingertips](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns=%22http://www.w3.org/2000/svg%22%20viewBox=%220%200%201200%201800%22%3E%3C/svg%3E)_Mood Moss tends to be less uniform than Cushion Moss._

It’s extremely luscious, long, and fluffy, and the two go together like peanut butter and jelly.

👉 We sell both! Shop [live Mood Moss](https://shop.terrariumtribe.com/products/mood-moss) on our store.

![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns=%22http://www.w3.org/2000/svg%22%20viewBox=%220%200%20300%20250%22%3E%3C/svg%3E)

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