India, Oct. 31 -- Pets require attention, plants need regular care, but what about a brick? Young adults in China are embracing an unusual hobby of growing moss on ordinary bricks and treating them as companions. The trend, which has gained millions of views on social media, is being seen as a low-effort way to find comfort and a sense of accomplishment.

For young people who want companionship without the responsibilities that come with looking after a pet, raising a brick has emerged as an unconventional alternative. The idea is simple. They take an ordinary brick, spray it with water a few times a day and wait for moss spores naturally present in the air to settle on its surface and grow.

Unlike pets, moss-covered bricks do not need f...