Found a weird moss takeover at the local arboretum last weekend

I went to the Smithfield Arboretum last Saturday to check out their new tropical greenhouse. But instead of the fancy orchids, I spent 20 minutes staring at a patch of moss completely covering a concrete path near the back. It looked like someone had spilled green velvet everywhere. Has anyone else seen moss just decide to claim a spot like that, or was this a watering mistake by the staff?

3 comments

3 Comments

julia_carter6117d ago

Honestly, that's awesome and it happens more than you'd think. Tbh I found a whole section of my local park's brick wall that's just been completely taken over by moss, like a fuzzy green blanket or something. Ngl it's kind of magical how it just shows up and decides a spot is its new home.

gavin_kim17d ago

Oh wow, that's exactly what happened to me at a park last fall. I used to think moss just grew on old logs and shady rocks, but seeing it completely take over a whole concrete area changed my mind.

leewood17d ago

Actually, moss doesn't really take over from watering mistakes. It's more about the conditions being just right - shady, damp, and with low competition from other plants. Concrete paths get that constant moisture from runoff and shade from nearby trees, so moss just kinda settles in and spreads. The staff probably have it there on purpose or at least let it be because it looks cool. A lot of arboretums actually encourage moss growth in certain spots because it keeps the soil healthy and prevents weeds from popping up.