Ceramic isn’t limited to pots. It can become underwater architecture.
Think arches, hollow stones, miniature ruins, textured pillars, or abstract organic forms. These pieces create depth and visual movement inside an aquarium or paludarium, while also serving a functional purpose.
Aquatic mosses and rhizome plants love textured ceramic surfaces. The slight porosity of properly fired clay gives them something to grip onto. As beneficial bacteria colonize the surface, the piece becomes biologically active — supporting both plant and aquatic life.
It’s decor, yes — but it’s also habitat.
Attaching moss to ceramic is both a craft and a science.
Popular choices include:
Java moss – resilient, forgiving, and adaptable
Christmas moss – fuller, layered growth with a soft tree-like pattern
Flame moss – dramatic vertical spirals that add movement
Moss can be carefully wrapped with thread, secured with fine mesh, or tucked into hand-carved channels designed specifically for attachment. Over time, it bonds naturally to the ceramic surface and the thread disappears beneath new growth.