Weird NewsPET OF THE DAY

China's young adults are raising moss-covered bricks instead of pets

A Weibo hashtag on the trend has drawn more than five million views, and some owners name their bricks; the moss is doing fine.

On air: Chip Darnell and Kenji Moonfield on BBN After Hours
Published 2:41 AM ET, Saturday, October 31, 2026

At a glance

First reported by Hindustan Times: “China's stressed young adults are raising moss-covered bricks instead of having pets”, with reporting from inkl (reprinting a South China Morning Post-style report) and China Daily Star.
Covered on BBN on Saturday, October 31, 2026, at 2:41 AM ET on BBN After Hours, by Chip Darnell and Kenji Moonfield.
Topics: China.

The reporting behind this segment. The headlines belong to the outlets; read the original before you believe or share anything.

Hindustan TimesChina's stressed young adults are raising moss-covered bricks instead of having pets
inkl (reprinting a South China Morning Post-style report)‘Zero-energy companionship’: bizarre hobby takes seed among China’s stressed young adults October 27, 2026 · facts used on air
China Daily StarChina’s young adults turn to raising moss-covered bricks October 27, 2026 · facts used on air

Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorYoung adults in China are raising moss-covered bricks instead of adopting pets, and a Weibo hashtag about it has more than five million views.
Kenji Moonfield · Internet & Trends CorrespondentYou spray the brick with water several times a day and wait for moss spores in the air to settle.
Kenji Moonfield · Internet & Trends CorrespondentThat's the whole hobby, according to The Guardian.
Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorOne brick parent wrote, quote, no cats, no dating, I started raising a brick. I'm so proud of that brick.
Kenji Moonfield · Internet & Trends CorrespondentSome of them name the bricks and photograph the moss every week.
Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorBrick's season stat line: misted several times a day, photographed weekly, zero vet bills. Pet of the Day, and I mean it.
Kenji Moonfield · Internet & Trends CorrespondentFully named, photographed every week, and in all that time it never once knocked a glass off a table.