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Three common moss species (Bryum argenteum, Ceratodon purpureus and Syntrichia ruralis) were grown from fragmented gametophyte leaves and stems in a set of laboratory experiments. Ceratodon growth was the most prolific of the three species on three artificial media and varied dependent on nutrient solution. Ceratodon growth was also the most prolific on natural soils of the Snake River Plain, Idaho. However, Bryum growth was nearly equal that of Ceratodon on some soils but the growth of the two varied by soil type. Syntrichia growth by cover on natural soils was low but consistent across the three soil types. Results of these experiments support the possibility of using these organisms in restoration of sagebrush/bunchgrass habitats.