Spanish moss is an icon, symbolic of lazy southern days.
It sways in the breeze, welcoming travelers to Florida.
Its tendrils trail, acting as a beacon to those looking for adventure in the Sunshine State.
But for some Florida residents, Spanish moss is not always such a welcome sight — especially if it’s hanging from our oaks, cypress trees and ornamental shrubs.
(Courtesy of Whitney C. Elmore)
That’s because Spanish moss is often misunderstood.
Spanish moss is a bromeliad and not a moss at all.
It’s a perennial plant closely related to the pineapple.
Spanish moss is an epiphyte, which means it grows on other plants, but it isn’t a parasite.
Epiphytes gather nutrients from the air and even from the dust settling on the surface of their host plant. Spanish moss literally catches moisture and nutrients using tiny scales along its leaf surface and is quite drought tolerant.
When residents notice Spanish moss, or even ball moss, on plants that seem to be in decline, many automatically assume that the Spanish moss is the problem.
If fact, what you’re seeing is the moss inhabiting “easy” areas on the plants that are already struggling due to some other issue. The Spanish moss (and ball moss) isn’t a parasite or a disease, so it rarely ever causes a problem.
Spanish moss doesn’t have roots, so it cannot “hook” itself into plants – it simply hangs on by wrapping itself around a structure and using it for support.
When a plant is struggling, the canopy will often thin exposing the Spanish moss that’s hanging on the plant to more sunlight. That causes the moss to grow more vigorously.
Hence, it appears that Spanish moss is causing a problem, but it really isn’t.
So, Spanish moss is not killing trees.
On rare occasions, moss growth can be heavy enough to shade the leaves on trees causing photosynthesis to the host plant to slow, and that might result in slower growth.
But a healthy tree will outgrow the moss.
With heavy moss accumulation – the added weight can break branches.
So, it may be necessary to remove excess moss to keep limbs from breaking and causing damage to property, people or animals.
If you wish to remove the moss, keep in mind that it will grow back. While it’s usually best to have an arborist remove the moss, you can remove it by hand – just be careful not to fall or injure yourself.
Most of the time it simply isn’t necessary to remove the moss.
In fact, many birds build nests from Spanish moss, and other animals use it to build shelters. So, removing the moss can have a negative impact on wildlife.
Historically, Spanish moss has been used for everything from stuffing in cushions and mattresses to home insulation. Today, it’s more commonly found in floral and ornamental arrangements.
If the moss hanging from your plants bothers you, carefully remove it.
The rest of us will simply enjoy the view.
For more information about Spanish moss, call the UF/IFAS Pasco Extension Office at (352) 518-0156.
By Whitney C. Elmore
Dr. Whitney Elmore, UF/IFAS Pasco County Extension Director and Urban Horticulture Agent III. This column was adapted from B. Larson, et al, Florida’s Native Bromeliads (CIR 1466), Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation.
Published June 24, 2015
