Crafting with Nature: Easy Moss Vase

Do you enjoy nature and unique upcycled home décor? Then this enchanting and easy-to-make moss vase is just for you.

It looks like something straight out of a fairytale, and no one would ever guess what it’s made from, either.

I think it’s a great way to breathe new life into something most people toss in the bin. Plus, it adds a touch of woodland magic to any space.

I filled my vase with a fresh bunch of wax flowers (Chamelaucium uncinatum). It’s one of my favorite cut flowers. The tiny waxy blooms always make me think of Spring and new beginnings.  

In this tutorial, I’ll show you how to make a moss vase using old newspapers. But, before we get there, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, or Instagram. And don’t forget to subscribe so you’ll never miss a post!

What you need

To make this easy vase you’ll need sphagnum or peat moss. You’ll find it at moss craft stores and nurseries. If you struggle this tutorial will show you how to make your own fake moss using a bath sponge. You’ll also need:

• E6000
• Masking tape
• Green craft paint
• PVC pipe offcut

Optional decorative elements like twigs, vines, small pinecones, or shells. Nature has always been my biggest muse and I love incorporating her gifts into my crafts. So for this moss vase, I added passion fruit tendrils and an aerial root handle from one of our huge Delicious Monsters.

How to make a moss vase

This is a really quick and easy little project that you can do with the kids. Before giving the vase an enchanting mossy transformation, we need to make a sturdy base or form using newspapers. Most people dismiss those “once-read” sheets of paper as clutter, destined for the recycling bin. But there’s so much you can do with them. We made bunnies, and giant eggs, and used them to stuff a mossy succulent pillow. If you want to use the vase for real flowers, I would suggest combining the newspaper with a PVC pipe or some other waterproof tube-like thing. You can replace the PVC pipe with an empty toilet roll for faux flowers.

Making a vase base

Depending on how big or tall you want your vase to be, cut a length of PVC pipe using a hacksaw. Sand the cut smooth.

Seal one end of the PVC pipe with aluminum tape or glue a cork inside, so it’s watertight.

Tear the newspaper into strips and scrunch it around the plugged end to form a ball shape. You want to make sure it’s bulky enough to support the weight of the finished vase.

You can reinforce the shape by applying glue between the layers for added stability.

Cover the PVC pipe and ball of newspaper with masking tape. The tape holds the newspaper ball and PVC pipe together and provides a paintable surface.

Making a Handle

Take a wander around the garden to find a suitable twig, vine, or root to make the handle. The aerial roots I used are supple and can be bent to create the shape I needed for my moss vase.

Depending on what you’re using, you can glue the handle in place or make a hole in the newspaper vase base and insert the handle. I made a small hole in the newspaper base for one end of the handle.

The other end has been glued to the pipe.

I used a two-part epoxy glue. It sticks anything to anything and it dries pretty quickly too.

Adding the moss to the vase

For me, the lush, green mossy texture is the highlight of this upcycling idea. It’s what gives the vase that enchanted foresty, feel. Before adding moss, I always paint the surface green. That way if I miss a spot it’s not so obvious.

Working in sections apply loads of glue and add the moss.

To take the moss vase to the next level, you can add other decorative elements. Faux flowers will bring a pop of color while natural accents like twigs, tendrils, and feathers can enhance the organic vibe. Feel free to experiment with various combinations, colors, and patterns to reflect your own style and taste. I kept my vase simple and just wrapped green tendrils around the root handle.

Caring for the Moss Vase

Craft moss will fade if it’s exposed to direct sunlight, so this vase is best suited for indoor use. If the moss starts looking a little dreary, you can use this recipe to restore the color or glue on new moss. When filling the vase with water, pour carefully. Most craft moss has been dyed, and you don’t want the color to run and stain your tabletop or shelf.

The moss vase looks great on its own or paired with other nature-inspired décor bits.

It makes a thoughtful and eco-friendly gift for birthdays, housewarmings, or other special occasions. I can’t wait to fill this whimsical creation with flowers from our garden when Spring rolls around.

What flowers would you add?

If you like the idea of crafting with nature and making a moss vase, don’t forget to pin it for later.

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More moss craft ideas

I love using moss to make stuff for our home and sharing the tutorials with anyone who’ll listen take the time to read them. Here’s a few of my favourites.

BTW, if you’re looking for some of the things we used, we’ve got you covered. Disclosure: Clicking on the links below means we may receive a commission from Amazon. But don’t worry, it won’t come out of your pocket, and it helps us make more amazing crafts to share with you 😉

And if you prefer to buy rather than DIY, then maybe these beauties will appeal. Sorry, I looked everywhere to try to find moss vases, so here are a few vases I would love to add to my collection.

And as always, wishing you a wonderful, crafty week filled with lots of love. Thank you for popping in for a visit.