Are There Garden Centres Where You Can Buy Lichen?

[David H]

The only lichen I remember seeing in garden centres is decoration for air plants, but so far I haven't found any who sell it on there own. Are there any large chains or local shops or online sellers I can buy it from?

[Buenchico]

If anyone sells lichens they must be terrible at advertising them because Google can't find any sources.

Further, given that they're part fungi and part algae, they can't be easy to grow in a commercial manner. Since many gardeners spend a great deal of time trying to get rid of lichens, there's probably not much demand for them either!

I can see the attraction though. As an analogy. I've always thought that a lawn made up entirely of moss (which most gardeners try to get rid of) would look far better than one made of grass. Such lawns do exist but I doubt that many garden centres could help you create one!

[David H]

Lots is very decorative and only needs to be sprayed with water and no earth to survive. Air plants usually include deer antler lichen and others to cover the bare wood they stick them to, so they are clearly cultivated, so someone must be providing them. Maybe it's a business I should consider, you only need a small shed to grow them.

[tamborine]

Theres plenty on my tiled roof. If youre nr Windsor, come & get it free; AYORisk.

[maggiebee]

Lawns are full of lush green moss, bring you bags and you can have as much as you like David.

[Prudie]

And my thatched roof is covered in it of you're down Dorset way :-)

[David H]

I'd be impressed if anyone has British soldiers lichen as that's my favourite. The antler one is sold on air plants so clearly widely grown, but I could find where the red one grows and get some myself if it's not too far. https://www.britannica.com/science/British-soldiers

[David H]

I've found somewhere, it sells a starter pack of the lot although it's in America and may not ship abroad. Amazon.com User Recommendation