Hanging Kokedama: Creating Potless Plants for the Home

by Coraleigh Parker

Learn all about the Japanese art of creating potless plants, known as kokedama, from botanical extraordinaire, Coraleigh Parker.

In Hanging Kokedama, Coraleigh's breath-taking moss ball creations, featuring ferns, succulents, herbs, orchids and even small trees, are suspended in mid-air and supported by nothing more than a series of strings or fishing lines, intricately wrapped around a root ball. 

Decorating with indoor plants has never been more popular and hanging kokedama is the ultimate botanical trend as it offers everything through a single, versatile and inexpensive craft; you can turn any of your favourite plants into a kokedama on a (shoe)string in no time. 

Genres: Nonfiction

144 pages, Hardcover

Published March 15, 2018

Reviews

[Ren · Rating 5 out of 5]

This technique results in such a unique style and I love the natural look - no plastic pots! I had never seen kokedama before receiving this book. Instructions for creating your own hanging kokedama are clear and include photos demonstrating each step. Most materiAls used are in fact biodegradable, however, synthetic string is recommended for durability (though natural string can be used, knowing that it will break down over time) and staples are used to attach moss. How to use this technique with different types of plants and trees is covered, from tropical plants to bulbs to trees to cacti/succulents and more.

Thank you to Quarto Group and Edelweiss for the eARC in exchange for my honest review.

[Alexis · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had no idea hanging plants in self-made pots like this was even possible before reading this. This really expands the ability of hanging plants without tacky pots, or making a strong conversation piece for your home. The process of making the root ball looks simple enough, but unfortunately, locating some of the ingredients needed has been a little difficult. Once I can find the ingredients needed, I look forward to making my own, given the simplicity of the instructions and the many different plant types the book recommends using. Give this a look even if you just want to learn how the root balls are made.

[Alicia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is lovely, it has a lot of big pictures that made me dream about all the different plants I want to hang from my ceiling, next to the window or beside my reading spot. I used to have a very general idea of kokedama: "a ball of soil covered in something that keeps the soil together and twine all around it, used for ferns and those kind of plants" but oh I was wrong! so wrong. First of all, there is a methodology and a reason for each material used when making a kokedama. Second, *get ready for it* you can even create kokedama trees and seasonal plants!.

Most of the book focuses on instructions for making and maintaining kokedama of popular plants, organized by categories such as tropicals, succulents and cacti, tress and shrubs, herbs, bulbs, corms and tubers, epiphytes and of course, ferns. Each "plant profile" comes with scientific and common name, light, water and food requirements, growing speed and conditions, if it is pet friendly, most common concerns and a soil recipe that best fits that plant. There's a list at the end of the book with online suppliers from around the world (in case you have same problem as me and can't find the materials from your local shop and don't dare to ask the neighbor for their wild growing moss.)

*I requested an eArc from Jacqui Small LLP in exchange of a fair review Thank you!

[Diane Hernandez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hanging Kokedama: Potless Plants contains instructions for 25 beautiful Kokedamas. The book includes orchids, cacti, ferns, bulbs, herbs and even trees. Kokedamas are created by removing the plant’s pot and replacing it with moss tied with string or wire into a ball shape.

The instructions are clear. The book gently teaches the necessary skills by beginning with the easier plants. There are excellent watering tips too for each plant type.

Great choice for the DIYer who enjoys a minimalist (think Ikea) perspective. 5 stars!

Thanks to the publisher, Jacqui Small Pub, and Edelweiss+ for a copy.

[Lili · Rating 4 out of 5]

From Netgalley for review:

What a fun way to have houseplants! I am a known houseplant killer, granted one of the big deaths for my houseplants are my cats, so having them hanging away from the fuzz balls just might work! Plus it is just a great aesthetic, having baskets (it reminds me of weaver bird nests) full of plants hanging around is beautiful and delightfully soothing. The instructions on how to create these plant nests is very clear and simple, I look forward to trying them out!

[Rain · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some really cute ideas here. This is the Japanese art of creating potless plants. The only issue is how quickly they will dry out and how long you have to leave them sitting before hanging again above a desk!

[Leyla Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hanging Kokedama seems to be a growing rage, here in Australia at any rate, I have seen it done and it can look very effective, and in some cases quite crazy, by using unique binding such as florescent or other colours.
Kokedama as the opening pages say it is a "Japanese art of creating pots less plants using a unique soil, mix, moss and string" the results are very organic and can be used with many plants.
The book explains the technique very simply and easily followed - the results are quite beautiful - even an olive tree can be treated in this manner and hung in a lounge room. The book separates species into chapters with cacti, ferns, tropical plants, bulbs, herbs and more. Each has an explanation and profile of the plant including care.
The book is very informative and really easy to understand and a good beginning to creating fabulous living hanging gardens.

[Jo · Rating 4 out of 5]

#HangingKokedama #NetGalley #GreenUrban

The Kokedama are trendy and gives a green accent to any room of the house. The techniques are interesting and the results are beautiful.