STEP 6: Plant The World
This guide is part of Green Chapter’s Beginner Paths: Mecha & Moss. In this series, we explore how to combine miniature landscapes, moss ecosystems, and model kits to create immersive living worlds with structure, storytelling, and atmosphere.
Follow the guides in sequence for the best learning experience.
Bring your scene to life with moss and growth
Up to this point, everything you’ve built has been structure.
Now, you introduce life.
This is where your scene stops feeling constructed —
and starts feeling like a world.
But planting is not about decoration.
It is about integration.
Phase 1 — Setting the Foundation
Before adding any plants, you need to prepare the base properly.
Start by laying a thin layer of LECA (lightweight clay aggregate) at the bottom.
This helps with drainage and prevents water from pooling inside your system.
Once that is done, carefully place your completed hardscape into the SKYBOX.
Take a moment here.
Even though you’ve tested this before, this is your last chance to confirm:
- the structure is stable
- the terrain still feels natural
- nothing shifts or collapses under its own weight
If something feels off now, fix it before moving forward.
Phase 2 — Deciding When the Gunpla Enters
Before you begin planting, you need to make a key decision.
Do you want your RX-78-2 to feel like it has always been part of the environment —
or placed into it at the end?
If you want a “reclaimed by nature” look, you can place the model now and build around it.
If you prefer more control, you can leave it out and insert it later once planting is complete.
There’s no right choice — only different results.
Phase 3 — Building the Living Layer
Now, you begin turning structure into something that can support life.
Start by filling the gaps within your terrain using sphagnum moss.
Push it gently into crevices between rocks and wood.
This step does two things:
- it stabilizes your structure further
- it creates pockets where plants can grow
Next, use peat clay to shape planting surfaces.
Apply it where plants would naturally take root:
- along slopes
- on top of rocks
- across uneven terrain
- around damaged or exposed areas
If you chose early integration, this is also where you can begin blending the Gunpla into the environment — allowing surfaces to connect naturally.
Phase 4 — Final Detailing
Once your main planting is done, slow down.
This is where your scene becomes believable.
Add small, intentional details:
- moss creeping over armor edges
- vines wrapping around parts of the model
- plants emerging from cracks in terrain
These details should feel subtle — not staged.
You’re not placing decorations.
You’re suggesting the passage of time.
Phase 5 — Activating the System
The final step is simple, but important.
Lightly mist the entire setup.
This helps:
- settle your materials
- activate moss
- bring out natural color
Keep it controlled.
Too much water at this stage can undo your work.
What You Should See
At this stage, your scene should no longer feel like separate parts.
You should see:
- terrain and plants working together
- the RX-78-2 sitting naturally within the environment
- no clear boundary between model and landscape
If anything feels like it was “placed on top”, take a step back and refine it.
The goal is not perfection —
it is cohesion.
Continue to STEP 7: Maintain & Protect
Now that your world is complete, the next step is keeping it stable over time.
You’ll learn how to:
- manage humidity
- protect your Gunpla
- maintain plant health
Proceed to STEP 7: Maintain & Protect →
