Gardeners Are Using Beer To Grow Moss, But Does This Method Actually Work?

Moss is something that can be enchanting or annoying depending how you look at it. While some people are trying to find the best lawn care practices to get rid of and control moss, others will gladly let it grow. If you are part of the latter group who is trying to cultivate more moss in your yard, then you may have heard of the internet-famous trick of using beer to do it. Specifically, this trick involves blending together moss, beer, and sugar into a paste and then pouring it on the area where you'd like for moss to grow. While this method is commonly touted as an effective gardening hack online, the question is — does it really work? To find out, we spoke to Melanie Rekola, a horticulturist and landscape designer at Lady Landscape.

As Rekola explains, "I've come across this recipe many times and others that substitute milk or buttermilk instead of beer, too. But I find that this isn't a great method to grow moss. The moss slurry doesn't stay put where you apply it, and it just slides off when you try to water it or when it rains." However, she also noted that there is somewhat of a logical reason people would believe this works. "I believe it started because the thinking was that the beer/sugar/buttermilk would feed the moss or create an acidic environment. But the truth is, not all mosses like acidic environments. And chopping moss(es) up in a blender damages the plants!" So, for those of you who want more moss in their yards (or are looking to use it as a no-mow alternative for their lawn), what is the best way to cultivate it?

Instead of using a chopped moss and beer, buttermilk, or sugar slurry, Rekola recommends simply transplanting a whole chunk of moss to where you want it to grow. "The best way ... is to choose mosses that are already growing in the environment you plan on growing them in. For example: If you want moss to grow on a granite boulder in your yard, choose a moss that already grows on granite boulders in your area and place the whole moss piece on the boulder and don't chop it up," she explained, adding, "I've heard of some people gluing moss on rocks so it has a chance to attach, but I find that if you just lay it on the rock and keep it moist it will grow eventually."

One thing to remember when transplanting moss is that you should be careful about where you find your moss. "Ideally transplant existing moss already on your property, but if you plan on taking some from nature, don't take very much and only take it from areas with healthy moss populations already in place," explains Rekola. Furthermore, you should always check your local laws before getting started, as some federally controlled forests and parks may forbid the collection of plant matter, including moss. Ultimately, as with any gardening project, if it doesn't work out but you're itching for a change, you can always try one of these outdoor updates, which have the bonus of adding some serious value to your home.