What is Reindeer moss?

Many of our products are made with “Cladonia Stellaris”, which is the most commercially used lichen species. It is more commonly known as Reindeer moss. More specifically, it is not a moss, but a lichen and, in fact, a subspecies of Reindeer lichens. Lichen is a symbiosis of fungus and algae. It absorbs moisture from the humid air and takes its nutrients directly from the air.

Where does Reindeer moss grow?

Reindeer moss forms large mats over the ground in boreal and arctic regions around the circumpolar north. It grows on the surface of bare soil or gravel in harsh environments of coniferous forests. Reindeer moss cannot be cultivated in any form.

Are the plants in the pictures and walls real?

Yes. Greenmood uses real plants that are naturally preserved in a special process using glycerin and food coloring. This permanently preserves the plants and does not require any maintenance.

Are the plants artificial?

No. Even though our products go through a transformation process that stabilizes the natural plant, it does not use any components typically found in artificial plants, such as plastic or synthetic fabrics. This makes the plants/moss 100% natural.

How are the plants preserved?

In our preservation process, the water in the plant is replaced by glycerin and the chlorophyll is replaced by food coloring.

How often should I water the plants?

We highly advise against watering our plants/moss, as they are preserved. This makes them virtually maintenance-free.

Where can the products be used?

In all indoor environments where the air humidity level is no lower than 30% and does not exceed 70%. 

What happens when they are exposed to direct sunlight or heating?

In direct sunlight, the mosses can fade after 2 to 3 years. It should therefore be avoided whenever possible. In addition, you should not hang the products near or over heat sources, as the glycerin does not tolerate it well.

Are the plants toxic?

No. Our products contain no toxic elements, making them completely safe to touch and be around.

Do the plants change the acoustics in a space?

Yes. Our products are specifically designed to absorb sound, the natural way. Once placed in an interior space, our products help smooth ambient noise and reduce overall sound in an interior to comfortable decibel levels. All the acoustic reports are available in our downloads folder.

Are your products fireproof?

According to the B - S2 - d0 in European standards and FSI 0 / SDI 15 in North American standards, the materials used for our products have extremely limited contribution to fire. However, this does not mean that the products are fireproof. Fire certificates are available in our downloads folder.

What is the lifespan of the products?

As a result of the preservation process, the lifespan of our products can amount to up to 10 years if the right conditions are met whilst taking care of them.

Are there any specific conditions to taking care of the products?

No, apart from making sure all products remain indoors, in a 30% to 80% air humidity level, and away from sources of heat, water, and direct sunlight. It is also best to avoid touching them, folding, crushing, etc.

Do the plants have an odor?

They have the typical natural plant odor, which dissipates over time. 

Do the plants look exactly as they do in the photos?

Not entirely. The plants used in our products are natural, therefore a variation in color and form is completely normal. This makes each of our creations unique.

Why does the reindeer moss get dry and what can I do?

Indoor heating and inadequate ventilation during the winter can cause humidity levels to drop, leading to moss drying out. In such cases, avoid applying any liquid directly to the moss, as it may break down the salt and food coloring. Instead, focus on increasing the humidity by ventilating more frequently or using a humidifier. Once the humidity levels return to normal, the moss will reabsorb moisture and become soft again.

Does the color of the moss come off or fade?

Since reindeer moss absorbs and releases moisture into the air, the adhesion of colorants may not be absolute. Over time, some color changes may occur. Although our colorants have high light resistance, direct sunlight exposure can still cause fading. Additionally, fluctuations in air humidity can slightly alter the color shade: higher humidity generally darkens the color, while lower humidity lightens it.