An unusual hobby is gaining popularity in China: young people bring ordinary bricks home, water them and wait for the surface to become covered in green moss. They take photos of their new «pets», share them on social media and even call them «brick babies». According to The Guardian, the trend has racked up over five million views on the Chinese social media platform Weibo and has become a way for some young people to unwind from the stresses of daily life without spending much money.
- An unusual trend is taking off in China — young people are «growing» bricks by covering them with green moss.
- The owners water the bricks every day and share the results on social media.
- The hashtag associated with the incident has garnered over five million views on Weibo.
- Participants describe this activity as an inexpensive way to relax and take their minds off stress.
How the Chinese turn an ordinary brick into a «favourite»
You don’t need expensive materials or special equipment for this new hobby. All you need to do is find an old, porous brick, place it in a shallow tray and keep it moist with water.
Over time, moss begins to appear on the surface. Its spores may already be present on the old brick or may be carried onto it from the surrounding environment. The porous structure of the material helps to retain the moisture necessary for plant growth.
On social media, you can see photographs of bricks that are almost entirely covered in thick green moss. In some cases, small ferns and flowers are even growing on them.
What particularly appeals to enthusiasts of this trend is how low-maintenance this hobby is. If the brick is not watered for a while, the moss may enter a dormant state, but will resume growth again under favourable conditions.
Chinese users joke that their new «pets» don’t damage furniture, don’t need to be taken for walks and cost practically nothing.
Why are young people choosing bricks over cats and dogs?
The Chinese media attribute the popularity of this unusual hobby to changes in the lifestyle of the younger generation.
Faced with a highly competitive labour market, long working hours and social pressure, some young Chinese people are looking for jobs that do not require a significant financial outlay or constant responsibility.
On Chinese social media, users describe looking after bricks as a form of emotional support that comes with no strings attached. Unlike traditional pets, such a «pet» does not require daily feeding, veterinary care or complex looking after.
One of the trend’s followers told Chinese journalists that watching the moss grow gave him a sense of satisfaction comparable to that of completing a long-term project.
Others appreciate not having to constantly achieve results. They enjoy the very process of observing gradual changes.
This passion echoes the phenomenon of «tang ping», or ‘lying flat’, which is widespread amongst young people in China. This is the term used to describe the desire to give up the gruelling pursuit of career success and choose a more peaceful way of life.
Unusual «pets» — ranging from pebbles to fruit stones — had already become popular in China, with owners growing and photographing them.
Doctors have warned of a hidden danger
Despite the popularity of this new hobby, Chinese doctors are urging people to exercise caution when growing moss indoors.
Constant moisture in the bricks creates a favourable environment not only for moss, but also for the growth of mould and other microorganisms.
Some participants in the trend reported itchy eyes, a runny nose and sneezing after coming into contact with their «green pets».
Former lecturer at Beijing Capital Normal University Li Xuedong, who specialises in the study of mosses, recommends growing them in semi-enclosed, transparent containers. When handling bricks, he advises wearing protective gloves and a mask to minimise contact with spores and potential contaminants.
The Chinese media emphasise that the main appeal of this new pastime lies not in the brick itself, but in the opportunity to observe nature and find pleasure in simple things.
