ADA Wabi-Kusa Plant Mats - What are They & How to Use Them

If you're looking to introduce lush, vibrant plant life into your aquarium, terrarium, or emersed setup—without the hassle of individual planting—ADA Wabi-Kusa Plant Mats are the perfect solution. Available in a variety of compositions including mosses, aquatic plants, and terrarium species, these mats embody the beauty of nature in a simple, easy-to-use form.

Let’s break down what they are, how to use them, and what makes them so popular in the aquascaping and terrarium world.

What Are ADA Wabi-Kusa Mats?

Originally inspired by traditional Japanese Wabi-Sabi aesthetics (the appreciation of imperfect, transient beauty), ADA's Wabi-Kusa Mats are flat plant safe material designed for plants to be for easy integrated into a natural layout. Unlike the original Wabi-Kusa balls, which are round balls of substrate and often placed as centrepieces, these mats are flat and versatile, making them easier to layer, cut, and use in various ways.

Types of Wabi-Kusa Mats

ADA offers several varieties of Wabi-Kusa mats, depending on the intended environment and plant species. Here are the most common types:

1. Moss-Based Aquatic Mats

These mats consist mainly of moss species such as:

• Peacock Moss (Taxiphyllum sp.)

• Christmas Moss (Vesicularia montagnei)

• Spiky Moss

• Taiwan Moss

These are often paired with accent plants like:

• Hygrophila pinnatifida – with its textured, reddish fronds

• Anubias Petite– Small slow growing epiphyte plant

• Microsorum species – Taller green java fern 

These mats are ideal for use in aquariums, where they create an instant natural carpet or textured hardscape wrap. They’re great for covering driftwood, rocks, or background walls with little effort. They are also perfect for placing in shallow aquariums and allowing emersed growth. 

2. Terrarium Wabi-Kusa Mats

Terrarium-style mats are cultivated for high-humidity, emersed environments rather than full submersion. These often feature:

• Peacock Moss – lush, velvety texture

• Marcgravia species – trailing plants perfect for vertical backgrounds

• Begonia, Fittonia, or Selaginella – sometimes found in specialty mats

These mats thrive in paludariums, bioactive terrariums, or high-humidity vivariums. They’re particularly popular with dart frog keepers, tropical plant enthusiasts, and terrascapers who want instant coverage and visual appeal.

How to Use Wabi-Kusa Mats

In Aquariums (Submerged Use)

• Place the mat directly on your substrate or tie it to rocks/wood.

• Ensure stable water parameters, moderate to high lighting, and ideally CO₂ for vibrant growth.

• Over time, the plants will adapt to submerged growth and spread beyond the mat.

• Some initial melt may occur as the plants transition from emersed to submerged form.

In Emersed Bowls or Wabi-Kusa Glass Vessels

• Lay the mat in a shallow bowl with a small amount of water at the base.

• Maintain high humidity by misting regularly.

• Keep in bright, indirect light (or under a grow light).

• This setup is perfect for desktops or windowsills and requires little upkeep.

In Terrariums or Paludariums

• Simply press the mat onto the background wall, driftwood, or slope.

• Keep the environment humid and ventilated.

• These mats root into foam or substrate and provide instant greenery.

• Great for creating a mature look in a short time.

Benefits of Using ADA Wabi-Kusa Mats

Time-Saving: No need to plant individual stems—just place and enjoy.

Professional Results: Uniform, dense plant growth without gaps.

Versatile Applications: Ideal for tanks, terrariums, and emersed setups.

Healthy Plants: ADA’s cultivation process ensures vigorous, pest-free plants.

Creative Freedom: Easily cut and shape mats to fit your layout vision. or peels plants off the mat and use however you wish 

Final Thoughts

ADA Wabi-Kusa Mats are an excellent way to bring the natural beauty of aquatic and tropical plants into your home with minimal effort and maximum visual impact. Whether you're working on a high-tech planted tank, a tranquil terrarium, or a compact Wabi-Kusa bowl, there's a mat type that suits your needs.

They’re perfect for hobbyists who want a hassle-free start, as well as for advanced aquascapers looking to streamline their setup process without sacrificing quality or aesthetics.

Interested in trying Wabi-Kusa Mats?
We offer a curated selection of ADA aquatic and terrarium mats. 

Click here to shop ADA Wabi Kusa Mats at Horizon Aquatics

ADA Wabi Kusa Mats FAQ's