Product Knowledge Base

All products offered in our store – mosses, dried flowers, grasses, leaves and preserved plants – originate from nature. Each element is unique and may vary in color, size, shape and structure. Such differences are a natural characteristic of plant-based products and do not constitute a product defect.

Most recommended: Finnish Moss (TOP / Premium)

• the largest “heads” and the best visual effect,
• the most thoroughly cleaned,
• the highest coverage efficiency,
• approximate consumption: approx. 6 kg / 1 m²,
• hand-harvested with respect for the environment (forests of Finland),
• dyed in many colors,
• may contain traces of natural impurities (e.g. pine needles, small cones).

Applications: large projects (panels, walls, pictures) as well as smaller projects (clocks, frames, trees, 3D decorations).

Second choice: Alpine Moss (good quality)

• heads smaller than Finnish moss, but larger than Norwegian moss,
• less thoroughly cleaned than Finnish moss, but better than Norwegian moss,
• approximate consumption: approx. 8 kg / 1 m²,
• usually more natural impurities and a longer thallus.

Applications: larger projects for less demanding customers and projects where the price-to-effect ratio is important.

Third choice: Norwegian Moss (craft grade)

• the smallest heads,
• the least thoroughly cleaned,
• coverage efficiency similar to Alpine moss,
• a longer thallus, with more compact and interconnected heads.

Applications: smaller projects (small frames, fillings, hobby projects) where quality is not the key factor and price is the main priority.

Note: reindeer moss is a lichen (not a “moss” in the biological sense), but its commercial English name is Reindeer Moss, hence the name “reindeer moss”.

Cushion moss has a rounded, “stone-like” structure and is excellent for creating a 3D effect. We offer it in, among others, French and Swedish variants (differences result from origin and batch structure). It is suitable for panels, 3D decorations and arrangements.

Flat moss works well as a background and filling material. Depending on the variant, it may have shorter or longer fibers (e.g. “long” versions). Ideal for combining with cushion moss and preserved plants.

Other mosses (e.g. bog moss, spherical reindeer moss) may have similar decorative properties. Differences result from natural origin, structure and batch.

No. Preserved reindeer moss is not alive, but it is real and natural (it is not made of plastic). Photosynthesis does not take place in preserved material, so the moss does not function like a “living wall” and does not biologically purify the air.

Preservation is a process in which natural plant sap is replaced or supplemented with a preserving solution. The composition of the solution and the preservation method depend on the plant species and the manufacturer's technology; they may include, among other things, water, glycerin, mineral salts and dyes. It should not be assumed that every preserved product has been made according to the same formula. Thanks to preservation, plants retain their shape, color and flexibility for a longer period.

Important: preserved plants are not “eternal”. Over time (depending on the species and conditions), they may gradually dry out and behave more like dried plant material.

• Do not water or mist the moss.
• It is best to maintain indoor humidity at approximately 40–60%.
• Humidity that is too low causes brittleness (the moss loses its elasticity), but this does not “destroy” the moss – it can still be used.
• Very high humidity combined with a lack of ventilation is worse – it may lead to mold.
• Moss can be used in a bathroom, provided there is very good ventilation.

The rules described in this section apply to preserved mosses, preserved plants, dried flowers and plants, dyed products and exotic dried plant materials.

Many decorative products are dyed using pigments, floristry dyes, food dyes or other water-soluble colorants. The type of agent used and the dyeing technology depend on the manufacturer and the type of plant material.

• shade and color saturation may vary between batches,
• dye may transfer onto hands or surfaces, particularly at elevated humidity,
• we recommend working with gloves and avoiding contact with light-colored fabrics and porous materials.

A color designation refers to an approximate commercial color, not an identical, standardized shade (e.g. according to a RAL or Pantone color chart). The original natural color, maturity, structure and absorbency of the plant affect the final dyeing result. Differences may also occur within a single batch.

Preserved flowers and dried, dyed flowers are not “eternal”. Preservation or dyeing significantly extends their decorative qualities compared with cut flowers or natural, undyed dried plant material, but does not guarantee indefinite retention of the original color.

Over time, any plant material may gradually fade, darken, yellow or change shade. The rate of change depends on the species, preservation and dyeing technology, and conditions of use. It is not possible to specify one uniform period of color durability for all products.

Color loss or change may be accelerated in particular by:

• direct sunlight, UV radiation and prolonged exposure to strong daylight, including through a window,
• high humidity, contact with water, condensation and lack of ventilation,
• high temperature, heat sources and frequent fluctuations in temperature and humidity,
• contact with adhesives, solvents, alcohol, varnishes, resins, detergents and other chemical agents,
• friction and contact with absorbent, light-colored or porous surfaces.

In preserved moss and plants, elevated humidity and changes in temperature may encourage migration of the preserving solution and pigment to the product surface. This may cause damp marks, changes in color saturation or dye transfer onto neighboring materials.

Some products are bleached (lightened) through a chemical process. The term “bleached” primarily means the removal or significant lightening of the plant's natural color; it does not guarantee a snow-white, uniform color. A bleached product may be white, cream, ecru or beige, and its shade may vary between batches.

Brown, yellowish or naturally colored spots and fragments may remain on flowers, leaves and stems. These may result from the plant's structure and maturity, uneven access of the solution to the tissues, the positioning of the material during processing, or places where stems were tied with string or rubber bands. Local discoloration or weakening of the tissue may also result from the action of the agent used in the bleaching process.

Bleaching is a process that affects plant tissues and may weaken them, which is why bleached products can be more brittle, delicate and prone to shedding or breakage than their natural counterparts.

Bleached material may have a characteristic odor from the processing agent, which dissipates and weakens over time. The characteristics described, when occurring within the typical range for a given product, result from the processing method and do not necessarily indicate a defect.

Contact with adhesive or another chemical agent may affect the color, structure and flexibility of mosses, flowers and dried, preserved, dyed and bleached plants. The reaction depends on the specific product, dye, amount of agent and contact time.

• Hot glue may locally overheat delicate tissue or pigment and cause discoloration, darkening, lightening or stiffening of the material.
• Polymer adhesives, cyanoacrylate adhesives such as “Kropelka”, and products containing alcohol or solvents may dissolve pigment, cause its migration or react with the material.
• Resins, varnishes, impregnating agents and detergents may also cause stains or color changes.

It is not possible to guarantee compatibility of the product with every adhesive, varnish or resin available on the market. Before carrying out a project, a test should be performed on a small, inconspicuous fragment and the material should be allowed to dry completely. In the case of very small plant fragments, the adhesive comes into contact with a significant portion of the material, so the risk of a visible color change is greater. The appearance of a change alone does not always make it possible to determine its cause unequivocally without examining the product and the agents used.

Natural dried flowers with heavy heads, including strawflowers, everlasting flowers and gomphrena (Gomphrena), have thin, dried and brittle stems. During unpacking, transport or arranging, individual heads may become detached. A small number of detached heads may result from the natural structure and brittleness of dried plant material and does not necessarily indicate a product defect. Significant damage is assessed individually.

The flower heads themselves are fully usable floristry material, often used for small arrangements, wreaths, pictures, glued decorations and handicraft projects.

Exotic dried plant materials, including fruits, pods, shells, seeds, inflorescences, grasses and leaves, may naturally vary in size, shape, structure and color. Spots, discoloration, abrasions, cracks, irregularities and signs of ripening typical of plant material are acceptable. Over time, the material may fade, yellow, darken or change shade. Bleached and dyed products are additionally subject to the rules described in sections 7 and 8.

The products are primarily intended for indoor use.

Outdoors, the material may more quickly:

• lose color (UV radiation, rain),
• dry out and become brittle,
• deform and change structure.

Dyed plants are not recommended for outdoor use – the pigment may wash out. Dried flowers and grasses may be used outdoors at your own risk, but fading and brittleness should be expected. Treat outdoor decorations as seasonal/temporary.

Dried and preserved plants are packaged by weight, not by the number of stems. The number of stems/pieces stated in descriptions is approximate, as each plant may have a different thickness, inflorescence size and weight.

Differences between bunches result from the natural origin of the material and do not constitute a product defect.

The lengths stated in descriptions are approximate values. Plants grow differently in nature, and batches may vary.

In many cases, we state a length of up to approx. 60 cm in the store (requirements of popular delivery methods). Plants may be trimmed to meet transport requirements.

If retaining the maximum length is important to you: choose courier delivery and add a note to your order (we will do everything possible to ship the plants at their full length).

We take our own photographs, which show the actual product in terms of species, form and general structure.

Color may differ from what is displayed on screen and between batches because:

• different devices (phones/monitors) display colors differently,
• dyeing batches may have different saturation and shades,
• the type of lighting during photography and when viewing the product may change the perception of color,
• natural plant material does not absorb pigment completely evenly.

Color names describe an approximate color group, not a specific number from a RAL or Pantone color chart. The shade should be as close as reasonably possible to the one presented, but differences between the photograph, batches and individual elements are natural.

Plants (dried and preserved) are decorative materials – semi-finished products intended for further arranging. After delivery, they may be compressed or arranged for transport.

We recommend after receipt: spreading out, separating the stems, straightening, arranging and, if necessary, trimming them to suit the composition. This is not a ready-made bouquet in the sense of a complete decoration that can be placed “straight into a vase”.

Flowers and plants are packed tightly both during transport from the manufacturer and during shipment from our warehouse to the customer. This protection limits movement of the elements inside the packaging and reduces the risk of damage during transport.

With the exception of ready-made bouquets from the Evergive brand, the products offered are not finished floral arrangements. To achieve an aesthetically pleasing composition, the plant material must be properly prepared: separated, spread out, trimmed, arranged at different heights and placed in a vase or another container. These activities require basic floristry knowledge, a sense of composition or experience. Simply removing a tightly secured product from the carton and placing it in a vase without preparation may not provide the expected visual effect.

During growth, drying, packaging and transport, flowers and grasses may rotate, bend or become deformed. Inflorescences and flower heads may point in one direction or different directions, sideways or downwards. This results from the natural growth pattern, plant structure and the drying and transport process. Such variation in positioning, within the typical range for a given species, does not constitute a product defect. The material should be properly spread out and used when creating the arrangement.

Choosing a vase and supporting stems: the vase should be suited to the length, weight and structure of the plants. A vase that is too low for long stems may not provide adequate support. In such a situation, a heavy inflorescence, flower head or long grass may place excessive strain on the stem and cause it to bend or break. The material should be trimmed appropriately or placed in a taller, stable container that provides support at the correct height.

Preserved plants may react to humidity and temperature. With fluctuations in humidity/temperature, so-called “sweating” may occur – visible as a damp layer or small droplets of preserving solution, sometimes containing glycerin and pigment, on leaves and stems (they may occasionally drip).

This is a natural reaction. We recommend storage in stable conditions, away from heat sources, moisture and direct sunlight.

Natural products may contain small elements from their environment, e.g. grasses, needles, sand, fragments of stems, wood or cones. It is not possible to remove them 100% without risking damage to the material.

Rarely (but naturally), trace biological remains may occur – e.g. small insect or larval fragments. This results from the origin of the plants and does not constitute a product defect.

Some plants (e.g. eucalyptus) may have an intense, characteristic scent of the living plant. In sensitive individuals, this may cause discomfort (e.g. headache) or allergic reactions.

We recommend working with gloves, avoiding prolonged inhalation in small, unventilated rooms, and exercising caution in individuals prone to allergies.

Preserved moss has a characteristic natural/technical odor resulting from the preservation process and its plant origin. Over time, the odor weakens and partially dissipates, but it may remain faintly noticeable throughout the product's period of use.

Perception of odor is individual – for some people it is associated with the smell of a forest, nature and damp forest litter, while for others it may be intense, heavy or unpleasant. The odor does not indicate a product defect and is a natural characteristic of the product. We recommend unpacking the product in a well-ventilated room.

After receiving the product, the customer has the opportunity to unpack it and become familiar with its appearance, structure and odor. A return is possible only in the case of a product that is unused, undamaged and maintained in a condition that allows it to be resold.

By using the product (e.g. through installation, arranging, trimming, spreading out or combining it with other materials), the customer accepts all natural characteristics of the product, including its odor, resulting from its plant origin and the preservation process.

Dried plants and some preserved plants are materials of natural origin and may exhibit flammable properties; therefore, they should be kept away from open flames, sources of high temperature and intense heating.

In the case of preserved moss, flammability properties may vary depending on:

• the type of moss,
• the preservation process,
• the technological additives used.

Some types of preserved moss (e.g. reindeer moss) may have certificates of limited flammability or non-flammability, but these apply only to specific batches and applications. Information about a certificate applies exclusively to the product for which it has been documented and should not automatically be extended to other plants or decorative materials.

Regardless of the properties of a particular product, we recommend treating all decorative plants as materials requiring caution near fire and heat sources.

The products are not toys – keep them out of reach of children. Small plant elements may pose a choking hazard.

The products are not edible and should not come into direct contact with food. If used, for example, in cake or table decorations, plant elements should be properly protected against contact with food.

We do not recommend using decorative plants as filling for gifts or packaging that comes into contact with other objects, due to the possibility of dye transfer or shedding of small elements.

We recommend storage in a dry, shaded place with good ventilation and a temperature that is as stable as possible. Products should be protected from direct sunlight, strong daylight, heat sources, water, steam and sudden changes in conditions.

For longer storage, it is best to use a cardboard box or other packaging that limits access to light. Avoid tightly sealed plastic film without air circulation, especially if the product or surroundings may be damp. Dyed products should be separated from light-colored fabrics and absorbent surfaces due to the risk of pigment transfer.

Effect of moisture on dried flowers and grasses: prolonged elevated humidity, direct contact with water or condensation may cause dried plant material to absorb moisture. Stems may then become soft, limp, prone to bending and permanent deformation. After conditions change, they may also dry again in an incorrect position and break more easily. The risk is greater with long, thin stems and heavy inflorescences, whose weight may cause a weakened stem to break.

Humidity slightly above 40% should not be treated as automatically harmful – the most important factors are the duration of exposure, actual humidity level, temperature, ventilation, and the species and condition of the plant. Bending and breakage occurring after delivery as a result of moisture absorption, contact with water, improper storage, a vase that is too low or lack of adequate support result from conditions of use and do not constitute an original product defect.

• Natural plants (undyed) – biowaste (if local regulations permit).
• Dyed/bleached plants or plants with additives (including preserved products) – mixed waste.
• Packaging (cardboard/plastic film) – sort according to local rules.

Complaints do not cover characteristics resulting from the natural origin and typical properties of plant material, in particular:

• differences between batches (shade, structure, number of elements),
• approximate length and possible trimming for shipping,
• natural brittleness of dried material, minor breakages and deformations during transport,
• individual detached heads in naturally brittle flowers with heavy inflorescences, provided the extent does not indicate damage beyond what is typical,
• typical spots, discoloration, irregularities, abrasions and cracks occurring in exotic dried plant materials,
• natural, gradual fading and color changes caused by exposure to light, UV radiation, moisture, water, high temperature or fluctuations in conditions,
• color changes, stains or damage occurring after contact with adhesives, solvents, alcohol, varnishes, resins, detergents or other chemical agents,
• typical differences and local discoloration of bleached products and their increased brittleness,
• trace natural elements and rare biological impurities.

The above information does not exclude or limit the consumer's statutory rights. Every report concerning damage or non-conformity of goods is assessed individually, taking into account the type of product, extent of the phenomenon, its condition after delivery and manner of use.

We recommend checking the shipment upon receipt and, in the event of any problems, reporting the matter as soon as reasonably possible (with photographs), which facilitates assessment of the product's condition. If a change occurred after the use of adhesive or another preparation, please also provide its full name and composition and describe the method of application.

We recommend becoming familiar with the product and using it as soon as reasonably possible after receiving the shipment. In practice, the best visual and functional effect is achieved when the product is used within a dozen or so days of the delivery date, particularly when stored under domestic conditions.

Conditions such as:

• elevated or excessively low humidity,
• temperature fluctuations,
• lack of adequate ventilation,
• storage in airtight packaging (e.g. plastic film without air circulation),
• exposure to sunlight, strong daylight or heat sources,
• contact with water, adhesives, solvents, alcohol, varnishes, resins and detergents

may affect the structure, flexibility, odor and color of plant material. This applies in particular to dried plants, preserved plants and preserved moss.

Changes resulting from improper storage after receipt of the product do not constitute a defect in the goods.

Information prepared on the basis of the requirements of the General Product Safety Regulation (GPSR) – Regulation (EU) 2023/988.

Distributor: PBTO sp. z o.o.
Address: Wyspiańskiego 13, 43-400 Cieszyn
Contact: kontakt@mech-mech.pl

Date of preparation of information: 11.11.2025
Date of last update: 08.09.2026