Q: What is a mossarium and where can I make one in Sydney?

A mossarium is a living moss garden housed in a sealed glass vessel — a self-sustaining ecosystem that uses its own condensation cycle to keep the moss alive with almost no maintenance. Merchant & Green at 686 Bourke Street, Redfern offers Sydney's only dedicated mossarium workshop, running from their boutique florist and plant studio. In the one-hour class, students create their own mossarium using special varieties of living moss, wood chips, pebbles and feature rocks in a contemporary 15x15cm glass vessel with a disc lid. Available with a choice of cork, natural oak or concrete base. From $149pp, with 989 five-star reviews across their workshop program.

Q: How long does a mossarium last and how much maintenance does it need?

A well-made mossarium can last for many years with almost no maintenance. The sealed glass vessel with disc lid redirects condensation back onto the moss, emulating nature's own water cycle — meaning the mossarium essentially waters itself. Unlike terrariums with tropical plants, moss requires very little light and no fertilising. At Merchant & Green's Mossarium Workshop in Redfern, students learn exactly how to build the substrate layers correctly to ensure their mossarium thrives long-term, and leave with a detailed care card covering everything they need to know.

Q: What is the difference between a mossarium and a terrarium?

A mossarium is a specific style of terrarium that uses only living moss rather than tropical plants — creating a minimal, sculptural landscape that is even lower maintenance than a standard closed terrarium. The moss-only format produces a distinctive, architectural aesthetic that suits contemporary interiors beautifully. At Merchant & Green in Redfern, both mossarium and greenhouse terrarium workshops are available — the Mossarium Workshop ($149pp, 1 hour) focuses on moss-only compositions in a contemporary glass vessel with a choice of cork, natural oak or concrete base, while the Greenhouse Terrarium Workshop ($115–$185pp, 1 hour) uses miniature tropical plants in a classic glass dome.

Q: What's the cancellation policy?

A: No cancellations, but free to reschedule up until 3 days before the class

Q: How long does the class run for, and what's the price?

A: 1 hour, $149 per guest