Live sphagnum moss doesn't require a substrate layer but can do well on a number of surfaces. Soil should be saturated in the water allowing the moss to consistently hydrate.

What does sphagnum moss need to survive?

Growing Sphagnum Moss Outdoors

Here's what you need to do: Zero in on a location and make sure it is water-rich. While the moss itself is not quite choosy and can grow anywhere, it will thrive best in boggy and swampy lands. Make sure the temperature is between 50- and 70-degrees Fahrenheit.

Can moss live without soil?

Moss spores are in the air and only need moisture to germinate and mature. ... Moss can grow on any type of soil because their shallow roots simply hold the moss there without drawing nutrients from the soil. They get some nutrients from water, but mostly they make their own food through photosynthesis.