18, December 2025
The Magic Of Moss
This ancient plant is one of Nature’s miracle workers, despite some people’s efforts to banish it from their gardens and lawns. Where other plants struggle to survive, moss thrives. But its superpowers don’t stop there…
The History
Believed to have evolved from green algae, mosses are part of a group of plants known as bryophytes. They lack roots and absorb water and nutrients directly from their environments. There are almost 20,000 species of bryophyte on Earth, with over 1,000 species found in the UK. Moss is a hardy, moisture-loving little plant that thrives in damp, oxygen-rich environments. (And we love its deep mossy green!)
Why Is Moss Important?
Aside from its beauty, moss is beneficial to the environment in all sorts of ways and is protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act (1981).
Carbon capture
Crucially, moss and the bogs it helps to create provide a vital carbon store for the planet. In the Lake District, there are teams of people whose job it is to protect these landscapes from damage. Lake District volunteer peatland officer, Dave Charles, says, “We now realise we need to protect these areas, they’re so important to our survival.” Peat bogs can lock in up to five times the amount of carbon that trees can, making them a crucial element in our climate regulation. Pretty cool for a tiny plant.
Pioneering plants
Nature guides us in everything we do — and moss is a perfect reminder of why. They were among the first species to colonise bare and poor-quality ground, locking in moisture and laying the foundations for other plants to thrive.
Temperature regulators in the forest
Soft, dark green carpets of moss are also great temperature regulators. They cover areas of the forest floor, storing water and helping protect the soil. They’re also really good at shading the roots of trees, keeping the ground at a regular temperature for other organisms to thrive.
The list of benefits goes on and on, from helping prevent flash floods and contributing to medical science, moss is a truly extraordinary organism. We’re a little bit obsessed with it.
The destruction of moss and peat bogs
Unfortunately, despite their importance, peat bogs bear the scars of centuries of mismanagement. Areas of natural significance like bogs and ancient forests have been built on, drained and dug up to make way for modern infrastructure. It’s more important than ever to protect this land because we now fully understand the importance it holds in ecology. The good news is, we can all lend a helping hand to this little plant.
How To Protect and Nurture Moss and Peatlands
Go peat-free
Going peat-free in your garden is one of the single biggest things you can do to help protect moss, bogs and peatlands. It sends a clear message to producers of compost that change is needed, and destructive extraction methods are not sustainable. Peat-free compost is available from most reputable suppliers. Bark or wood fibre also make great garden alternatives.
Re-wetting the landscape
This point is a little technical, but bear with us. Blocking old drainage canals and ditches in areas of peat can help raise and stabilise water levels, restoring the natural bog and helping moss thrive. Obviously, we don’t recommend doing this without experience or permission from landowners, but there are ways you can get involved in this type of work…
Protecting peatlands and volunteering
Peatlands are unsung heroes in our opinion. Covering just 3% of the world’s surface yet holding nearly 30% of the world's soil carbon, they are crucial to regulating our climate and helping to combat climate change.
If that doesn’t make them worth protecting, we don’t know what will. These precious lands are at risk of becoming dried out, farmed and destroyed by human actions.
The good news is you can help. Start small by signing petitions and researching peatlands local to you. If you’re feeling adventurous or would like to give more time to moss, consider volunteering at one of the many trusts, charities and organisations that protect these areas.
A Gentle Reminder…
Mosses play a huge role in the biodiversity of our green spaces and shouldn’t be removed. As well as being protected, they’re so precious to the animals, plants and organisms that rely on them for habitat, water retention and temperature control. Simply take time to admire their natural beauty and relish in their amazing powers, and you’ll soon see the magic in moss.
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