Miniature Gardens

Saturday, September 17 | House Plants

Miniature Gardening:

Don’t let winter’s chill keep you from exercising your green thumb.  Fairy gardens, dish gardens and terrariums are fun, creative ways to bring your summertime passion in for the winter.  We stock all of the essentials year round for your houseplant progjects.  Stop by our greenhouse for some inspiration and help getting started.  Or, sign up for our indoor gardening class.  Here are some tips to keep in mind when planting your gardens:

Containers:  Miniature plants have shallow roots, so choose a shallow container for your gardens.  For terrariums, plant your plants in a minimum of soil at the bottom of the container.  Indoor plants like to experience periods of dry conditions between waterings.  Choosing a pot that is too deep or planting in too much soil will create an environment in which the soil stays persistently wet.  Plants that stay too wet tend to develop weak root systems and are prone to root diseases.

Drainage:  Most dish garden and terrarium containers have water tight bottoms.  It is important to place a layer of horticultural charcoal or gravel at the very bottom of the container.  Doing so helps keep the soil and roots held above any standing water that may accumulate from an accidental over watering.

Soil:  Choose a light weight potting mix like Miracle Gro.  Lighter mixes dry more evenly and help prevent root rot.

Light:  Most plants can adapt to lower light conditions such as an office setting or away from a window.  Just keep in mind that plants in low light grow more slowly and require less water than those in brighter spots.  If a brighter spot is available, however, all houseplants prefer as much light as they can get, but they should not be placed in direct sunlight. 

Water:  Water your garden sparingly – just enough to moisten (but not waterlog) the soil.  Let the garden dry out well between waterings.  Watch for the soil to shrink away from the glass of your terrarium or for your plants to just begin to wilt.  Ferns like a little more water than most other plants.  If your garden has ferns, keep the area around them a little wetter than the rest of your plants.

Fertilizer:  Don’t forget to feed your little ones.  Look for a plant food that is specifically labeled for houseplants.  Add fertilizer to your water about every third time you water. 

Upkeep:  Some plants will grow faster than others.  Keep everyone in their place by pruning regularly.  Remember, plants would prefer to be pruned lightly and often rather than a major chop.

Be Creative:  Choose plants with different colors and habits.  Create depth in your gardens by creating retaining walls or paths with decorative stones.  Add interest with miniature accents and figurines.  Use moss to cover the soil in between plants.

Plant Selection:  Here are some indoor plant varieties that work well in miniature gardens:

Red and White Fittonia               English Ivy
Emerald Ripple Peperomia      Cacti and Succulents
Button Fern                                   Neantha Bella Palm
Rabbits Foot Fern                       Ardesia
Pteris Ferns                                 Cryptanthus
Baby’s Tears                               Waffleplant
Baby’s Tows                                Pilea
Aluminum Plant                          Strawberry Begonia
Podocarpus                                Selaginella
Creeping Fig                               Hypoestes
Miniature African Violets           Venus Fly Traps and other carnivorous plants

With the exception of Cacti and Succulents, all of the above can adapt to lower-light environments.