In the last two years, moss has become a serious stylistic choice, seen in plenty of cool contemporary interior gardens. And as we make our way towards 2026, Livingetc's home wellness writer Amiya Baratan, our expert on all things gardening, says, "I'm predicting that this trend has more to give and won't be gone anytime soon." When it comes to the festive season, there's one tree we all turn our attention to, so why not find ways to tie in a bit of moss and make it feel more trend-led?
Yes, I'm talking about Christmas tree kokedamas. It's the Japanese art of wrapping a plant's roots in a ball of moss, removing the need for a pot. It's slightly unconventional when it comes to Christmas decorating ideas, sure, but there's something about the earthy look of moss that lends an interesting textural, even architectural quality to the traditional evergreen foliage.
Every year, we see Christmas tree designs elevated beyond what we'd ever typically expect, and this houseplant trend feels both fashionable and festive — and would work perfectly in small apartments, too. Here's what you need to know about the style (and even some faux Christmas tree kokedamas to shop that remove the fuss so you can focus on the festivities).
Last year, we saw skirts swapped for Christmas trees in pots, so it feels like a natural evolution to ditch the pot altogether and opt for a kokedama-style Christmas tree. It's not your typical tree base, but "It's a pleasant surprise to see this sub-genre of mossy planting styles fashioning faux Christmas trees," adds Livingetc's Amiya Baratan. It's minimalist, yet striking enough to act as an accent piece.
And while I'm sure it's possible, I haven't actually come across a full fir tree done in this style, but Livingetc's editor, Hugh Metcalf, says smaller micro Christmas tree varieties are absolutely possible (he's done it himself). Just be warned: "The drawbacks I found are that they are surprisingly heavy, and even though I managed to suspend them, it can feel a bit precarious," he says.
It's also a bit of a messy process, and can make keeping your Christmas tree from drying out a little harder. "I found it quite hard to get the watering schedule right, which didn't help with the weight, and when I decided I wanted them on the table instead, I found I needed to put them in a bowl, dish, or tray to avoid any moisture seeping out onto the table," Hugh adds.
The easy solution to all this? Fake it. Thankfully, in my research, I came across a number of stylish faux trees that would take all the stress out of this trend. "I love the idea of matching your tree to faux kokedama renditions," says Amiya. Even if it's not your primary tree, who's to say you shouldn't switch it up with your supporting festive foliage! Below are a few ways to shop the look.
Dunelm's artificial moss base Christmas tree has been a bestseller this year, with reviews giving it an average of 4.8/5 stars. One customer says, "If you didn't know, you'd think this tree was straight out of the ground."
For something a little smaller, Garden Trading is offering this mini moss ball tree. I particularly love the way they styled the large (60cm) size next to the small (40cm) size — it's a refined take on Christmas fireplace mantel ideas.
Talk about a Charlie Brown tree! This artificial cane tree in a moss ball base is the perfect style for more minimalist tastes. It looks festive, but it's just alternative enough to keep out year-round if you so please.
Bosworth's Garden Center also has a mini moss ball tree on offer. Its compact size means you can style it on tables, shelves, or small corners — ideal if you are living in a small space or apartment.
Of course, you can also go down the real route. The brand says the Pine Kokedama is incredibly easy to look after, but after being indoors for two to three weeks, it thrives best outdoors. Saves you from having to recycle your Christmas tree!
Or alternatively, you could be sneaky and pot a real (or faux) tree in this moss-covered planter from Amazon, for an easy alternative to the Christmas tree kokedama trend.
There are plenty of types of Christmas trees to spice up your holiday decorating while still keeping a curated aesthetic in your interior. This moss ball base does festive without all the fussy frills.
