el patio
de atrás

cafecito, compost & kokedama

saturday, november 14 · 2 to 4 pm
irma's back patio · charlotte, nc
ticket includes: 1 cafecito + all materials to build your kokedama (moss ball, plant, and potting mix with local cafecito compost)

a backyard afternoon to share coffee, talk about what feeds the earth, and make a little world for a plant to grow in.

rsvp on posh →

a kokedama is the japanese art of growing plants in a moss-covered ball of soil. we'll use a custom potting mix of potting soil plus locally sourced cafecito compost: grounds from local coffee shops, broken down over time into soil.

some afternoons are made for staying a little longer.

lento × YAKUMAMA

two small brands, one backyard.

cafecito · compost · comunidad

lento

cafecito and compost, made in charlotte. we collect used grounds from local coffee shops, compost them for 10 to 12 weeks, and turn them into soil. 500+ lbs kept out of landfills since april 2025.

plant studio

YAKUMAMA

rooted in amazonian ancestry, crafting living sanctuaries. a rare plant studio based in nc, YAKUMAMA brings the plants and the kokedama know-how to our backyard afternoon. find what's in the shop on etsy.

kokedama care

your moss ball is a tiny ecosystem. here's how to keep it happy after you take it home.

  1. water by soaking when the ball feels light and the moss looks dry (about once a week), set it in a bowl of room-temperature water for 10 to 15 minutes, until it feels heavy again.
  2. let it drain gently squeeze out the extra water and let it drip on a towel or in the sink before putting it back. never leave it sitting in a puddle.
  3. bright, indirect light near a window with filtered light is perfect. direct afternoon sun will scorch the moss and the plant.
  4. mist in between a light misting every few days keeps the moss green, especially in dry or heated rooms.
  5. feed lightly in spring and summer, add a few drops of diluted liquid fertilizer to the soaking water about once a month. skip it in winter.
  6. rotate and trim turn it every so often so the plant grows evenly. snip yellowing leaves at the base.

reading the signs

  • ball feels light, moss browning or crispy: too dry. give it a longer soak.
  • mushy, smelly, or moldy: too wet. let it dry out a bit longer between soaks and give it more air.
  • droopy leaves: thirsty if the ball is light, overwatered if it's soggy. check the weight first.
  • leggy, pale growth: not enough light. move it somewhere brighter.

care needs vary by plant, so ask us at the event about the one you make.