Living Plant Art in Calgary: Inside Our Kokedama and Mounted Plant Workshop at The Mash Greenwich

On Tuesday, September 22, YYC Plants & Delivery hosted a sold out Living Plant Art workshop at The Mash Greenwich in Calgary, where guests built a kokedama, a Japanese moss covered root ball, and a mounted plant on wood, all in one two hour session. It's one of many recurring plant workshops YYC Plants & Delivery runs across Calgary and the surrounding area, and the format is also available as a private, fully customizable event for offices, birthdays, and team building.

A Full House at The Mash Greenwich

Last night's session at The Mash Greenwich, tucked into Greenwich at 50 Greenbriar Drive NW, filled up fast, and it's easy to see why. Guests arrived to tables covered in moss, soil, twine, and a curated selection of tropical and epiphyte plants, including ferns, hoyas, and peperomias, then spent an hour and a half building not one but two pieces of living art to take home.

By the end of the evening, the room was full of proud new plant parents holding up their creations for a group photo, wood mounted plants in one hand, moss wrapped kokedama in the other. That's the energy we build every workshop around: less lecture, more hands in the soil, and a finished piece you're genuinely excited to bring home.

What Is Kokedama, and Why Is It Having a Moment in Calgary? Inside Our Kokedama and Mounted Plant Workshop.

Kokedama is a centuries old Japanese gardening technique where a plant's root ball is wrapped in soil and moss instead of a traditional pot, creating a sculptural, self contained display that can sit on a shelf, a dish, or hang from a string. Inside our kokedama and mounted plant workshop.

The word itself translates roughly to "moss ball," and the technique grew out of a simplified offshoot of bonsai. It has surged in popularity again because it solves a real problem for plant lovers in small Calgary condos and apartments: you get all the visual impact of a statement plant without needing a pot, a saucer, or a dedicated corner of counter space.

At last night's workshop, guests worked with delicate, feathery greenery, wrapping the roots in a moss layer and securing it with twine until it held its shape. Part of the appeal is how tactile the process is. You are not just decorating a plant, you are building its entire structure by hand.

What Is a Mounted Plant, and How Does It Differ from Kokedama?

A mounted plant takes a plant's root ball, wrapped in the same soil and moss technique used for kokedama, and secures it directly onto a piece of wood, turning it into a wall hanging or tabletop sculpture rather than a freestanding piece.

This is where the "2 in 1" nature of the workshop really shines. Guests used the same skills from the kokedama portion, moss wrapping, root shaping, careful watering, and applied them to a small wood board instead. The result is something closer to living wall art than a houseplant. A few guests chose trailing plants with soft, rounded leaves that draped naturally over the edge of the wood, while others picked upright varieties for a more architectural look.

Because plant selection varies by session, no two mounted pieces from the night looked exactly alike, which is part of the fun. Everyone left with something one of a kind.

What Happens During a YYC Plants & Delivery Workshop?

A typical Living Plant Art workshop runs about ninety minutes to two hours, includes all plants, moss, wood, tools, and supplies, and walks each guest step by step through building both a kokedama and a mounted plant, with full care instructions to take home. Here is what the evening looked like at The Mash Greenwich.

Setup and welcome. Tables were prepped with moss, soil, twine, cutting tools, and a rotating selection of plants so every guest had room to spread out and get their hands dirty.

Part one, kokedama. Instruction covered how to wrap the root ball, how much moss is enough, and how to secure everything so it holds together long term, not just for the car ride home.

Part two, mounted plant. Using the same core technique, guests moved on to securing a second plant onto a wood base, learning how mounting changes watering needs compared to a traditional pot or a freestanding kokedama.

Take home care guide. Every guest left knowing exactly how to water, mist, and maintain their new pieces, since mounted and kokedama plants are watered differently than a potted plant.

The event also came with a light social element. This was hosted inside The Mash Greenwich, so guests were free to grab a drink and settle in while they worked, which is part of why partner venues in Calgary keep asking us back.

Why Calgary Businesses and Venues Partner with YYC Plants & Delivery

YYC Plants & Delivery partners with breweries, restaurants, and event venues across Calgary and the surrounding area to host plant based workshops that bring in new foot traffic, fill slower evening time slots, and give guests a reason to book a table.

The Mash Greenwich is one example of a growing list of Calgary venues we work with to bring plant workshops to their space. For a venue, it means a built in crowd on what might otherwise be a quiet weeknight. For guests, it means learning a new skill somewhere with good food and drinks nearby instead of a sterile classroom.

If you run a restaurant, brewery, taproom, or event space in Calgary or the surrounding area and want to fill a Tuesday or Wednesday evening with a built in audience, this is exactly the kind of collaboration we love putting together.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need any plant experience to join a YYC Plants & Delivery workshop?

No. Every workshop, including the Living Plant Art session, is designed for total beginners. Instructions are given step by step, and all tools and materials are provided.

What age group are these workshops for?

Public workshops like this one are generally recommended for ages 13 and up, though private and corporate bookings can be tailored for different age groups, including kids' workshops.

Where are YYC Plants & Delivery workshops held?

We host public workshops at partner venues throughout Calgary and the surrounding area, and we also bring private workshops directly to offices, homes, and event spaces of your choosing.

Can I book a private version of this workshop for my company or a private event?

Yes. Kokedama, mounted plant, floral bar, and planting bar workshops are all available as private bookings for corporate team building, birthdays, bridal showers, and other private events anywhere in Calgary and the surrounding area.

Does YYC Plants & Delivery do more than workshops?

Yes. Alongside workshops and events, we offer plant sales, delivery, corporate plant services, and residential plant care throughout Calgary, but workshops, events, and venue partnerships are where we spend most of our energy.

Bring Living Plant Art to Your Next Event

If last night proved anything, it's that a room full of moss, plants, and good company makes for a genuinely great evening, whether you're a first time plant owner or someone who's killed a few too many succulents to count.

YYC Plants & Delivery brings this exact experience, or a version tailored to your group, to private workshops across Calgary and the surrounding area. Whether you're planning a corporate team building event, a milestone birthday, a bridal shower, or you're a venue owner looking to fill an evening with an engaged crowd, we handle everything: plants, materials, instruction, and setup.

Ready to book a private workshop or explore a venue partnership? Reach out through yycplantdelivery.com or visit our private workshops page to start planning your event.