If there is one thing that screams "I'm old" in the garden it's the addition of lichens. Growing on walls, tree trunks and even along paths, lichen moss can age a garden quite dramatically regardless of its true measure.

What are lichens?

Lichens are a type of fungi that survive on air rather than being a parasite of their host. In fact, if lichens are growing in your garden it's a good sign that the air quality of their environment is good.

Lichens don't grow roots and they have no need to contain reservoirs of water. They just willing spread themselves across their host and wait for moisture to present itself. And they won't hurt their host either. Most lichens just attach themselves and then continue to grow.

Removing Lichens

Some gardeners can't tolerate lichens growing in their gardens and will treat these mosses with fungicides and sprays attempting to rid them. However, the best way to remove lichen from a tree or a wall is to use a light scrubbing bush and warm water.

If you are growing ornamental trees for their bark you may find that the lichen detracts from this feature so removing it might be the best option.

How to grow Lichens

For those of us who appreciate lichens and relish the idea of being able to make our gardens look older than they are, growing lichens is quite easy. Firstly, make sure the location of your desired lichens is not in full sun. Most lichens appreciate, or at least tolerate, dappled shade but rarely do they survive in full sun unless its a really cold climate.

Second, paint the area you wish to have lichen growing with a liquid seaweed fertilizer. Another option is to use a spray bottle and mix equal parts yoghurt and water. Then spray the area quite liberally.

If this doesn't work immediately, repeat the procedure until it does.

Summer is probably the only season which is not suitable for trying this process but the other nine months are quite accommodating.

Types of Lichen Moss - Source: Wikipedia

• Crustose - these lichen resemble dobs of paint an remain quite flat against their host.


• Filamentose - as the name suggests these lichen are more hair-like resembling filaments


• Foliose - these leafy lichens are more prone to growing on tree trunks in shaded areas.


• Fruticose - resembling deer antlers this form of lichen is very showy and detailed.


• Leprose - if you've ever seen pictures of a lepar you will understand the naming of this lichen. Randomly spotty it almost looks insidiously contagious.


• Squamulose - a rarer form of lichen this one looks like it has scales

Growing lichens in your garden can have a positive effect predominantly aging it and adding another level of interest for your visitors. They're also a cheap gauge for what the air quality is like in your backyard.