24 Types of Moss Color

John Spacey, November 26, 2019

Moss is an assortment of vivid green colors based on the color of moss plants. There are around 12,000 species of moss that are small flowerless plants that have no proper roots. Moss is particularly associated with Japanese gardens and culture. In fact, the word moss is mentioned in Japan's national anthem. In Japan, moss symbolizes longevity, resilience, time and history. This is due to the slow growth of many species of moss such that moss covered things are usually very old. Several temples in Kyoto have moss gardens that are hundreds of years old. For example, Kokedera temple's garden dates to 1339 and features 120 types of moss. Many of these varieties have a distinctive color such that the garden glows with extraordinary greens. The following are common types of moss color.

Moss

#009051

Kokeiro

#78882d

Tokiwairo

#007b43

Alaskan Moss

#05472a

Highlands Moss

#445500

Moss Green

#638b27

Frozen Moss

#addfad

Koke Moss

#8b7d3a

Alga Moss

#8da98d

Mossy Bronze

#525f48

Coronado Moss

#9ba591

Light Moss

#ccffcc

Antique Moss

#7a973b

Mossy Woods

#7a9703

Club Moss

#6b977a

Cavern Moss

#92987d

Swamp Moss

#698339

Dry Moss

#769958

Pond Moss

#01796f

Oakmoss

#6d7244

Reindeer Moss

#bdf8a3

Sphagnales Moss

#a5ad44

Dying Moss

#669c7d

Turtle Moss

#939717

Notes

Two colors above are Japanese colors: kokeiro or "moss color" and tokiwairo or "thousand year green."

Moss is mentioned in the Japanese national anthem. This dates to the Heian period (794–1185) making it the oldest national anthem. It is also one of the shortest at 32 characters.

May your reign
Continue for a thousand, eight thousand generations,
Until the pebbles
Grow into boulders
Lush with moss
~ Kimigayo, Japanese National Anthem