"Picked Up on a Walk, Brings Healing to Watch"... Why 'Brick Growing' Is the Latest Gen Z Hobby

The "Growing Bricks" Moss Trend
Minimal Financial and Time Burden
"Brings Comfort to Everyday Life"

The so-called 'brick growing'—cultivating moss on old bricks—has emerged as a new hobby among young people in China. This trend is attracting attention because it requires no money or special equipment, and watching the slow growth of moss brings a sense of calm and relaxation.

Healing by Watching Moss Grow

Recently, growing 'bricks' has become a trend among young people in China. Xiaohongshu

According to local media outlets such as Shangguan News on August 25, more and more people in China have recently begun picking up old bricks found along roadsides, riverbanks, or demolition sites during walks and growing moss on them.

The method is simple: place the brick in a bowl or on a tray and spray it with clean water. Over time, moss grows on the surface of the brick, and depending on the environment, small grasses or flowers may also sprout. The media noted, "While waiting for moss to grow on the brick, the brick itself becomes a mental object of contemplation."

The greatest advantage of this hobby is that it requires little cost or time commitment. There is no need to feed or walk it like a pet, nor is there a need to carefully manage water or sunlight as with plants.

Another reason for the popularity of 'brick growing' is that moss grows slowly. There is no need to expect immediate results or outcomes; simply waiting and watching the slow changes can be enough. For office workers, who are constantly pressured to deliver results and maximize efficiency, this kind of 'slow hobby' can offer a brief escape from daily life and a chance to relax their minds.

"A Single Old Brick Brings Peace"

Xiaohongshu

Some analyses suggest that 'brick growing' is more than just a unique hobby—it may provide a way for modern office workers to cope with stress and loneliness. The media commented, "The foundation of a fulfilling life is not grand achievements, but the small pleasures and peaceful moments one can find everywhere." They added, "Things that require little effort, like an old brick or a blade of green grass, can bring a sense of peace to exhausted office workers, even if only for a short while."

It is also significant that 'brick growing' is considered a 'useless hobby'—distant from profit or self-improvement. The media pointed out, "An old brick covered in moss serves as a reminder that self-healing for adults doesn't require elaborate rituals." It added, "Sometimes, doing something that seems 'useless' on the surface, at a leisurely pace, can be a source of solace in ordinary life by allowing you to reflect on yourself."

However, there are also warnings not to bring just any brick into your home. Old bricks may harbor insects, and bricks left near chemical factories or contaminated rivers could have been exposed to oil or chemicals.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.