Miniature gardens or fairy gardens are a delight to discover in the backyard. Their tiny accessories, impish figures and petite-sized plantings make for highly memorable gardening experiences. If you’re a fan of planting in miniature, fairy garden containers give you a chance to dream big in even smaller spaces!
These creative containers are easy to make and give you a chance to express yourself in a unique way. Making a fairy garden that fits into a pot is a fun project for creative gardeners of all ages. No matter how big or small your own gardening space might be, a fairy garden container is a nifty way to add individuality and whimsy – and it’s simple to create on a budget. Find out how to make your own pots of magic.
Crescent Garden’s Orinoco bowls can be used as standalone fairy gardens, or stacked to create a taller tiered kingdom. Buy in the Gardening Know How Shop.
What Makes a Fairy Garden?
Fairy gardens are ideal for container gardening, because you can create the basics in a small space, then develop the theme to be as intricate as you wish. Large fairy garden containers can work well tucked into a tree nook, or brightening up a shade garden. But a fairy garden could also be as simple as placing a figurine or two alongside a petite house in a pot filled with succulents. All you really need to make a fairy garden in a container is a vivid imagination, a sensible and sturdy pot, some thoughtfully selected plants, and a few basic notions for your fairy kingdom.
Check the garden shed for items that can be repurposed as a fairy garden container. Many people like to design an inviting woodland scene with a brook, a bridge, fairies, and tiny woodland animals. Young children joining you in making this project may prefer a farm scene or a railroad theme. Still others may wish to build a design around a favorite character or movie.
Planning a Fairy Garden Container
To get started with DIY fairy garden containers, take time to plan the design. You can even sketch your ideas. Choose a focal point, then let your garden tell a story with accessories and plants that are selected to best suit the scale. You could bring in another container style such as a spilled flower pot and extend the effect to include miniature fairies. Or you could ‘stack’ your fairy garden within a split level or multi-level series of pots.
Figure out a theme for the fairy garden, then you can look for inexpensive accessories at dollar stores, garage sales, antique shops or big box stores. Craft stores have a wide variety of accessories and figures, but they will cost more.
You could make some of your items by scouring your backyard. Small stones, sticks for bridges or fences, and even round seedpods can make interesting additions. Small branches, cut in horizontal slices, can be made to look like stepping stones. Popsicle sticks (available at craft and big box stores) make ideal fencing or bridge material. Also, raid the kid’s room for small items perfect for a fairy garden.
Best Containers for a Fairy Garden
When deciding how to make a fairy container garden, the pot or planter you use can be plastic, ceramic, metal or wood. The choice really depends on your fairy theme, what you have to hand, and your budget. However, those with drainage holes will perform the best. You can add drainage holes to your desired container with a screwdriver or a drill. An unused bird bath is eye-catching, but it may not drain well.
There are a few container pros and cons to consider with your fairy garden. Small to medium sized containers, especially bowl shaped, will show off your themed miniature garden. Large fairy garden containers give you more room to decorate, but they may be harder to move inside for the winter. That said, you can buy a plant caddy with wheels to help shift any pots you wish to overwinter indoors. Alternatively, choose plants that are hardy in your zone and can stay out all winter.
Best Plants for a Container Fairy Garden
As with any strong container garden plants, match the ornamentals to the theme as closely as you can. Choose plants suitable to the intended location – for instance, shade loving plants for a shady porch, or drought-tolerant container options for a sunny garden. Some plants, like succulents, can be left mostly to their own devices.
It is best to choose plants that will stay small or are easy to trim. You also can choose annuals and replace the plants each spring. It’s wise to bring the fairy garden indoors for the winter to prevent wear and tear on the accessories and plants during inclement weather. They also need to come inside if the plants are not hardy.
Select plants that are in proportion to the accessories in the fairy garden for a realistic look. Place the tallest plants near the back of the container and shorter options in front. Use moss or tiny-leaved plants near fences or stepping stones. Here are a few more plant suggestions:
- Hen and chicks (Sempervivum tectorum): Succulents in rosette shapes.
- Polka dot plant (Hypoestes phyllostachya): Popular houseplant with colored variegation.
- Elfin thyme (Thymus serpyllum 'Elfin'): Creeping herb with small leaves.
- Gold cone juniper (Juniperis communis ‘Gold Cone’): Slow growing conifer with columnar habit.
- Dwarf lemon cypress (Hesperocyparis macrocarpa 'Goldcrest Wilma'): Tree shaped foliage.
- Hosta ‘Blue Mouse Ears’: Miniature hosta that stays low.
- Zebra Haworthia (Haworthia fasciata or H. attenuata): Succulent with upright shape.
- Miniature ivy (Hederea helix ‘Abundance’): Small-leaved trailing plant.
- Dwarf mondo grass (Ophiopogon japonica ‘Nana’): Low growing, miniature ornamental grass.
- Irish moss (Sagina sublata): Evergreen, low mounding foliage resembling moss.
- Asparagus fern (Asparagus plumosus): Upright, plume-like foliage.
- Violas (Viola species): Small flowers similar to pansies.
- Jade plant (Crassula ovata): Slow growing succulent with upright form.
- Gray lavender cotton (Santolina chamaecyparissus): Upright form with grayish-green foliage.
How To Make a Container Fairy Garden
Fill the container with a-good quality potting mix. Arrange any key accessories until you are happy with the overall design. Core elements such as bridges and stairways are best added before the plants. Add your fairy garden plants using spoons or forks to dig in the soil. You can add any fairies or smaller elements after the plants. Water and fertilize your container plants carefully so as not to displace the accessories.
As well as filling the container correctly, make sure you place the potted fairy garden somewhere the display can enjoy lots of attention. A small nook or garden enclave can make a charming position for a whimsical pot of this nature. Just make sure it isn’t too tucked away. If you use a tiered container for a potted fairy garden, make sure it is well supported on sturdy pot feet or similar. You may wish to expand on the theme of the container and create a whole area devoted to miniature garden visitors.
Creative gardening doesn’t have to be impractical. Browse the full range of inventive pots, planters and containers in the Gardening Know How Shop.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you make a teacup fairy garden?
A teacup fairy garden is a bit more challenging as you don’t have much space, though you can include the saucer in your design. Choose a teacup and saucer you already have or purchase one from an antique shop. Instead of using fresh plant material, you can use dried or silk plants. Instead of soil, you can use styrofoam or dry floral foam. Insert the filler in the teacup and top it with moss. Then glue your accessories on top of the moss and on the saucer.
Where should you place a container fairy garden?
As well as knowing how to create a fairy garden for a container, you need to know where to put it. Place in sun or shade, depending on the plants you chose. If the container holds full sun plants, you need to place your fairy garden in the sunniest part of your yard, patio or balcony. If the container holds shade plants, a covered porch is ideal for your fairy garden.
This article features products available from third party vendors on the Gardening Know How Shop. Keep in mind that our plant inventory is limited - so if you’re thinking of purchasing, don’t wait!
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