Reindeer Moss & Renlav – Buying Guide

Reindeer moss is often sold under names like reindeer moss or Scandinavian moss, even though the material is botanically a lichen rather than a true moss. In interior design it's used for its soft, branching structure in moss walls, panels, art panels, logos and smaller decorations.

Product names can be confusing. "Reindeer moss" doesn't always refer to exactly the same species, and Polarmoss is a Finnish brand name rather than a botanical name. When buying, it's therefore better to check the product's species, treatment, format and documentation than to rely on the market name alone.

The essentials about reindeer moss

Reindeer moss is a lichen, not a true moss.
Reindeer mosses comprise several species within the genus Cladonia.
Commercial reindeer moss can, for example, be star-tipped reindeer lichen, Cladonia stellaris.
Preserved reindeer moss is not alive and should not be watered.
Colour, softness and coverage vary between products and air environments.
Fire and acoustic properties must be verified for the specific product.

What is reindeer moss?

A lichen is a symbiotic organism in which a fungus lives together with a photosynthesizing partner, usually an alga. Reindeer mosses belong to the genus Cladonia and have a bushy, branching growth form.

The Swedish word "renlav" can be used for several closely related species. Grey reindeer lichen is Cladonia rangiferina, while star-tipped reindeer lichen is Cladonia stellaris and also belongs to the reindeer lichen group. It is therefore not correct to automatically state Cladonia rangiferina for every decorative product sold as reindeer moss.

The texture differs clearly from flat moss and bun moss. Reindeer moss forms finely branched, bush-like clusters. Flat moss gives a lower, more even surface, while bun moss builds rounder volume and more pronounced relief.

Renlav, reindeer moss, Scandinavian moss and Polarmoss

How to understand the most common terms
Term	What it means	Is it an exact species?	What you should check
Renlav	Swedish collective name that can refer to several reindeer lichens	No	Species and product description
Reindeer moss	English trade and everyday name for reindeer-lichen-like decorative material	Not always	Scientific name from the supplier
Scandinavian moss	Marketing term used in international interior design	No	Origin, species and treatment
Polarmoss	Brand and company name for products made from preserved reindeer moss	No	The specification of that particular product
Fönsterlav (star-tipped reindeer lichen)	Swedish species name for Cladonia stellaris	Yes	Whether this is the species in the particular product
Grå renlav (grey reindeer lichen)	Swedish species name for Cladonia rangiferina	Yes	Whether this is the species in the particular product

Practical takeaway: feel free to use "renlav" and "reindeer moss" to help customers find the right material, but state the species only once it has been verified in the supplier's product documentation.

What does preserved reindeer moss mean?

Preserved reindeer moss has been treated so it can be used as a decorative material indoors. The treatment may include preserving agents and colouring, but the exact method and contents vary between manufacturers.

The material is no longer alive. It doesn't grow, doesn't need light, and should not be watered. Preservation does not, however, make the material insensitive to its surroundings. Direct sunlight, water, high heat, unsuitable humidity and a lot of touching can affect colour and texture.

Some products respond noticeably to humidity. They can become firmer or more brittle in very dry air and soften again as humidity rises. Always follow the specific product's own guidelines and care instructions rather than applying a single general threshold to all reindeer moss.

If you'd like to understand the difference between reindeer moss and other preserved moss materials, our guide to preserved moss offers a broader introduction.

Common uses

Moss walls and larger surfaces

Reindeer moss can be used as an even primary texture or combined with flat moss, bun moss and foliage. A single-colour reindeer moss wall gives a calmer, more unified look, while mixed materials create more relief.

Our moss walls page has examples of custom solutions for different environments.

Panels and modular installations

Ready-made panels make it easier to calculate coverage and build the installation in sections. Check the panel's actual coverage dimensions, backing material, mounting method, and whether the edges are designed to meet without visible seams.

Current formats are available in the moss panels collection.

Moss art panels and logos

Reindeer moss's finely branched structure works well both in round art panels and around letters or symbols. When a logo is to be incorporated, colour contrast, letter thickness and viewing distance need to be planned alongside the moss surface.

For smaller, self-contained wall decorations, browse our range of moss art panels.

Floristry, shop windows and events

Reindeer moss can be used around the base of arrangements, in landscape-inspired decorations and as a field of colour or texture in temporary installations. The material should be protected from moisture, heavy contact, and direct contact with sensitive surfaces if colour transfer could occur.

Model-making and scenography

The branching form can mimic bushes, tree canopies and small-scale landscapes. For such projects, piece size, colour and how easily the material can be divided are often more important than softness across a large wall surface.

Close-up of preserved green reindeer moss with a finely branched structure — The branching form of reindeer moss creates an even yet clearly three-dimensional surface.

Moss art panel with reindeer moss and other preserved moss materials — In moss art panels, reindeer moss can be combined with lower, more voluminous textures.

Custom installation with preserved reindeer moss in an indoor setting — Larger projects require planning around surface area, edges, mounting and technical requirements.

Colour, texture and natural variation

Untreated reindeer moss is usually a very pale grey to greyish-green tone, but commercial preserved reindeer moss is often coloured to achieve a more even or project-specific look.

Green tones

Light green, moss green, apple green and darker green can be used alone or blended. The colour sample should be assessed under the space's actual lighting, since warm and cool light sources change how it appears.

Neutral tones

White, grey, beige and nature-inspired tones can create a more graphic look. Very light colours show shadows and natural variation more clearly than darker shades.

Special colours

Availability of special colours depends on the manufacturer, minimum order quantity and the project's timeline. Don't assume any shade can be supplied without first checking a colour sample and the terms involved.

Reindeer moss is a natural material. Differences in branch size, density and base tone are therefore normal. Even coloured reindeer moss can vary slightly between production batches.

What should you check before buying?

Species or material designation. Ask for the scientific name when it matters for the project.
Preservation and colouring. Check the manufacturer's care instructions and whether colour transfer can occur.
Package dimensions or weight. Weight alone doesn't automatically tell you how much surface area the material will cover.
Recommended coverage. Ask for the product's own calculation or build a test area.
Colour sample. Approve samples under the correct lighting for larger projects or brand-critical colours.
Origin and harvest documentation. Only use sustainability claims that can be verified by the supplier.
Fire and acoustic documentation. Request documents for the exact product, backing board and construction.
Intended use environment. Check whether the product is intended only for dry indoor environments.

Softness is not a simple quality test

Preserved reindeer moss should not normally be powdery or heavily crumbling, but softness is affected by the product's treatment and by humidity. A product can feel firmer in dry air without being improperly preserved.

Even colour doesn't have to mean identical colour

A well-executed dyeing process should give a cohesive result, but natural materials show variation. Completely identical pieces may instead suggest the product isn't natural reindeer moss.

Fire and acoustics: preserved reindeer moss is not automatically fire-rated, and "reindeer moss" is not in itself a certified acoustic product. Test results apply to the specific product and construction that was actually tested.

Calculating material for your project

Loose material is harder to calculate than ready-made panels, since coverage is affected by piece size, compression, desired depth and how densely the material is mounted.

Information needed for a more reliable quantity estimate
Detail	Why it's needed	Common risk if missing
Surface width and height	Gives total area in m²	Too little material or an inaccurate quote
Desired depth and density	Determines how much backing board needs to be hidden	Uneven coverage and visible gaps
Mounting method	Affects compression and offcuts	Material runs out sooner than expected
Cut-outs and edges	Affects waste and working time	Shortfall at corners, logos and finishing edges
Product's tested coverage	Gives a real relationship between weight and area	Generic kg/m² figures applied to the wrong product

Build a test area using the same backing material, density and mounting method as the final project. Then add a reasonable reserve for sorting, edges and future adjustments.

Placement and care

Use preserved reindeer moss in a dry indoor environment unless the product documentation explicitly states otherwise.
Do not water or mist the material.
Avoid direct sunlight, heat sources and places with recurring water splashes.
Don't place sensitive surfaces directly against coloured reindeer moss without checking the risk of colour or salt transfer.
Avoid installing it around light switches, handles and narrow passageways where it's frequently touched.
Clean only according to the manufacturer's instructions and with a very light touch.
Store spare material dry, dark and protected from compression.

The material's colour and softness can change gradually. An exact visual lifespan cannot be guaranteed for all products and environments.

Frequently asked questions about reindeer moss and renlav

Is reindeer moss a moss?

No. Reindeer moss is a lichen. The commercial name "reindeer moss" contains the word "moss", but it isn't botanically precise.

Is all reindeer moss Cladonia rangiferina?

No. The trade name can be used for different reindeer lichens. Star-tipped reindeer lichen, Cladonia stellaris, for example, is used in several commercial interior products.

Is Polarmoss a type of moss?

No. Polarmoss is a brand and company name. The species and technical properties should be checked in the specific product's specification.

Does preserved reindeer moss need water or light?

No. It should not be watered and doesn't need grow light. Direct sunlight should be avoided, as it can affect the colour.

Why does the reindeer moss become hard or brittle?

Some preserved reindeer moss products become firmer in dry air and soften again as humidity rises. Follow the manufacturer's recommended climate range and avoid handling the material when it feels brittle.

Can reindeer moss transfer colour?

This can happen with some dyed products, particularly with moisture or direct contact. Check the product information and protect sensitive surfaces.

How much reindeer moss do I need per m²?

There's no reliable general figure. Piece size, density, depth, compression and the product's format all affect the amount. Use the supplier's coverage data or build a test area.

Is preserved reindeer moss fire-rated?

Only when valid documentation exists for the specific product or construction. Don't assume all preserved reindeer moss has the same fire properties.

Can reindeer moss improve acoustics?

The material and a porous backing layer can help break up or absorb certain sound reflections, but exact performance requires test data for the complete construction.

Choose reindeer moss to fit your project's requirements

Compare colour, format, treatment and documentation – and send measurements and photos when you need a larger or custom-tailored solution.

Browse reindeer moss and preserved moss

Reindeer Moss (Renlav) – A Guide to Material, Buying and Use