I’ve always been smitten with everything small and fairy gardening. Also, I’m totally crazy for succulents! I adore these so much! I grow succulents from leaves and have discovered that they develop really slowly. Succulents come in a huge variety of kinds, colors, and textures, making them ideal for miniature fairy gardening. In order to find out how long the fairy garden would remain and how quickly the plants would develop, I worked with Fairy Kate from Garden Sparkle. You can see the progress after three months if you scroll to the bottom of the post. Because I utilized smaller succulent kinds and immature ones, the succulents didn’t grow too substantially. I gave them little water and planted them closely together.
Use the containers you want. To prevent the plants from becoming too big, I suggest using shallow containers (just as bonsai plants are potted.) For the base of this project, I drilled holes into a large ceramic birdbath and utilized it as the basis. To create several levels and a cascade effect inside the large bird bath, I picked a tall medium pot and a tiny shallow ceramic. To add interest and variety, I suggest selecting pots with varied heights and diameters.
It’s crucial to think about where you want to put your fairy garden. In regions with lots of light, succulents thrive. The sun is at its best in the morning. It aids in keeping their vibrant colors. It would be ideal to place your fairy garden on a patio that gets early sunlight or, if indoors, on a sunny window sill.
Utilize any succulents you come across. The best succulents are little. You can buy them online, at your neighborhood markets, or at nurseries. Additionally, you can grow your own succulent offspring from cuttings. Read on to see how to achieve that:
You don’t need to use as many various species of succulents as I did for this project because I propagate my own and have a vast selection to work with. However, I do advise picking items with different heights, hues, and textures.
When selecting my items, I had an idea of the various settings I wanted to create, such as a dining area (table and chair set with tea set), a space with a decorative water feature (pond that could be filled with water), a quiet reading nook in the garden (reading frog ornament plus bird bath), and a doorway leading into the garden (mail box and stepping stones). The lamp post and little pots are some extra decorative additions I made. Naturally, I had to decide on a fairy.
- Potting soil for succulents and cacti
- disposable gloves for medical use (as they are so thin it makes it easier to handle tiny little plants)
- gardening trowel or an alternative
- water-filled spray bottle
- a variety of intriguing rocks and pebbles in various colors
- chopsticks, wooden craft sticks, or popsicle sticks (To help dig tiny holes for the roots of tiny succulents)
- Although not required, music is crucial to my artistic process.
You can either do as I do and play about with positioning pots and fairy garden decorations in different positions until you’re happy with the composition, or you can design a preliminary plan on paper. Think of yourself as the little fairy visiting the fairy garden. You can use it to help you plan the layout and the various scenes.
To prepare the birdbath for planting, I filled it halfway with potting mix, nestled the two smaller pots there (a medium pot to the left and a small pot to the back right), and then filled the rest of the way with potting mix. I poured planting mix into the little pots. Then, in order to make choosing which succulent to plant and where easier, I incorporated some of the major fairy garden decorations.
I began the planting procedure with the little pot to the right. I had the impression that this area of the yard would offer a lovely view of the fish pond and be a calm and serene place for the frog to relax and read his book.
I began by putting the “large tree” in the pot’s back. I placed a few little succulents around the pot and under the tree, leaving the center open for fairy activity. For the front pot’s pond on the lower level, I utilized a Chain of Heart plant to cascade over the edge and down. (Any succulent with a cascade habit will do.)
I put small rocks in between the plants and filled up the empty space with stones.
To fill the space behind the birdbath and give the garden a cozy atmosphere, I also planted medium-sized succulent trees.
I then concentrated on planting the medium shallow pot with the garden’s outdoor dining area. I took away the tableware to make planting simpler. I also put a piece of a succulent garden on the left and several succulent trees of various heights and textures in the back. I also planted the little pots. They are just too cute. I threw some pebbles there to fill the space. To make the white table stand out, I placed some black pebbles in the back.
Then I moved on to the bottom level. I got rid of the pond so planting would be simpler. I placed little succulent plants all around the pot’s base before refilling the pond. At make room for a path, I put ground cover succulents to the front.
Last but not least, I created a succulent garden close to the fairy mailbox, providing room for the fairy to easily access it at the mailbox’s base. I enclosed this area with stepping stones and pebbles.
After that, I sprayed water on the plants to remove any remaining soil and to give them a drink. To finish the project, the remaining fairy garden decorations were added.
Here are a few close-up pictures of each area, moments from my succulent fairy garden.
I took this picture three months later so you could notice the slight growth. A little trimming is all that is needed.
Succulents are they suitable for fairy gardens?
Succulents used in fairy gardens are those that are most effective at luring fairies. These plants typically have vivid or strong hues, such as pink, green, and maroon, and they can even resemble fairies in stature. No matter if you’re planning for indoors or outdoors, you’ll find the size, shape, or color you need on this list to create your very own fairy garden.
Fairy gardens are collections of plants that are usually decorated with various objects. Some people use Sedum reflexum ‘Blue Spruce’ with a toy cabin to create tranquil woodland cottages in spruce forests. Others created the setting for a miniature castle with a mote of Sedum dasyphyllum and a forest of Crassula tetragona surrounding it.
They are ideal for people who don’t have a lot of room or mobility to enjoy landscaping on a smaller scale and can be planted in the ground or in a pot. Additionally, they make wonderful and distinctive presents for the plant-lover in your life. They are also enjoyable to care and plant.
Since the plants in your fairy garden will grow together, it’s crucial to pick ones with comparable maintenance requirements. Succulents often prefer fast-draining, mineral-rich soils with infrequent irrigation. However, these plants have different needs in terms of temperature and light.
Another aspect to take into account when creating a fairy garden is mature shape. When they are young, certain plants may resemble short rosettes, but as they become older, they grow tall and shadow out other plants in your fairy gardens. With time, other plants may spread out and envelop your shorter Sedum. Before choosing a plant for your fairy garden, be sure you view a mature version of it.
Which vegetation thrives in a fairy garden?
23 Flowers & Plants for a Fairy Garden
- Fairy Rose. Popular ever-blooming heritage rose “The Fairy” is in wide use.
- Chinese lantern berry’s lantern appearance makes it ideal for fairy garden lights.
- Pig’s Ear.
- seedlings of thyme.
- tomatoes, cherry.
- ‘Ashfield Serenade’ pelargonium
- Lettuce.
- Nasturtiums.
Which plants do fairies prefer?
Large flowering plants conjure up images of fairies bathing in the dew or using them as parasols. Even the vegetation plays a part in the fairy garden by casting shadows and providing hiding places for timid fairies. Any plant that draws hummingbirds, butterflies, and bees will also draw fairies. They adore spending time with these wild animals and admiring the flowers’ vibrant colors. The following is a list of blooms to include in a fairy garden:
How are succulent planters made?
All plants require water to survive, although succulents just require a small amount.
- Use potting mix in step one. Use a bowl of your choosing to place the potting mix for planting or repotting succulents.
- Place the Plants in a Bowl in Step 2.
- Step 3: Set the plants up.
- Finish the arrangement in Step 4.
- Water the Bowl in Step 5.
How are succulents planted in a glass bowl?
It’s a really simple method that only needs a few items to plant succulents in a glass vase.
What you will need for this project is:
- Succulents
- a glass bottle
- mixed soil
- Trowel
- Sand or stones
- Moss
Step 1: Remove the succulents from their container
Start by taking the succulents out of their original containers. Remove as much soil as you can because nursery-grown succulents typically don’t have the ideal soil for these plants. To make your plants look better, get rid of any sickly or dead leaves simultaneously. Give your plants extra tender care.
Step 2: Insert soil in to the container, but not too much
Next, add soil to the container of your choice. Fast-draining soil is essential for succulents in order to avoid issues brought on by overwatering. Keep in mind that glass containers lack drainage holes. Succulent-specific soil mixes are available for purchase or you can just make your own. Create your own potting soil by combining two parts organic soil, one part sand, and two parts perlite.
Do keep in mind that different species of succulents have varying needs for soil, so you might need to try a few different things before planting your succulents in glass pots.
Don’t completely fill the glass container. Before placing your succulents, fill it halfway. This will give you plenty of space to work with as you arrange the plants and add finishing touches like rocks and sand.
Step 3: Plant the succulent into the soil
Insert the succulent into the glass container’s soil. Make sure your succulents are planted straight, without being uneven or distorted. Check to see if any leaves have been buried as well. Succulent leaves that have been buried are susceptible to decay.
Step 5: Add sand or pebbles to the glass container
Finally, you can fill the glass container with sand or pebbles. If you use white sand, be aware that you will eventually need to replace it.
How can a low-cost fairy garden be created?
1. Begin with a low-cost container. I picked out a big plastic bowl at Dollar Tree.
2. Check for drainage holes in the container. I pierced the plastic with an awl to create my own holes. It was incredibly easy.
3. To aid in drainage, cover the holes with a layer of small stones.
4. Add potting soil to the container. This bag I purchased at Dollar Tree.
5. Create the stream with colored glass fragments. At Michael’s, I purchased these for $3 after 50% off.
6. To make paths in your garden, use a roll of moss. I paid $3.99 + an additional 30% off for this. I have a ton of material remaining for additional projects as I only utilized a small portion.
7. Don’t forget to include your distinctive fairies and all of their accessories, as well as your ponds, mossy walkways, and flora.
Even though not all Dollar Tree locations provide the exact same goods, you should be able to create your own fairy garden with items from nearby stores that are similar. Additionally, I’ve included links below for additional DIY fairy garden components if Dollar Tree isn’t your thing:
You might begin by using a plastic window flower box or balcony rail planter as containers. As for the extras, you could always start out with a fairy garden swing set or a fish pond. You may also include a miniature dragon or a windmill cottage in your fairy garden. There are countless options.
I’m not sure how long my passion in fairy gardens will last, but for the time being it’s a wonderful chance to introduce my kid to my love of flora in a very enjoyable and whimsical way.
Step 4: Choosing Soil
Choose composted soil rich in organic matter and little pieces of bark to give your fairy garden the most “alive” appearance. By adding a layer of pea gravel to the bottom of your container, you can ensure appropriate drainage. To keep the garden fresh, it’s also a good idea to add a layer of charcoal.
To provide pathways for the fairies, layer bark, pebbles, or moss on top of the potting soil in the container.
Step 5: Adding Plants
By taking into account the location of your fairy garden, you can focus your plant selection. Will the garden receive full or partial sun if it’s outside? Some plants may not thrive indoors, so choose your plants carefully if you wish to grow them there. Select small plants and flowers for your landscaping to add color and visual intrigue. Choose items with unique textures and shapes. Because you’ll be adding other goods and accessories to transform your garden into a fairy dwelling, don’t overcrowd the pot. But in other places, groupings of plants provide suitable fairy hiding places. Look for low-growing, small-leaf plants in two- to three-inch plant pots that are simple to cultivate and care for. Utilize your imagination as usual. It is possible to prune some plants to resemble miniature trees. Rosemary is a great illustration of this tactic.
Fairy garden-friendly flora include:
- Ferns
- infant tears (for ground cover)
- decorative strawberry (another ground cover option)
- Cotton thyme (more ground cover)
- teeny-weeny roses
- Primroses
- Calendula
- Rosemary
- Little violas
- miniature bonsai trees
- Ivy
- Liqueur plants
Step 6: Have Fun With Accessories
Now for the enjoyable part. Decorate your garden with miniature benches, mushroom stools, a fairy house, fences (fairy fences can be made out of popsicle sticks), and fairy lights. There are several sources, and a list is provided below. You can also make your own accents or buy them online.
Miniatures of the following are among the most well-liked fairy garden decorations:
- Chairs
- Trellises
- Birdhouses
- Toadstools
- Birdbaths
- watering troughs
- Pails
- Lanterns
- Animals
- Remember the fairies themselves as well!
Use sculpting clay to create mushrooms or a table, wire sticks together to create a little fence, or create a miniature garden gazing ball by hot-gluing a marble on a small stick or golf tee. By affixing moss to the siding and stones to the roof of a small birdhouse, you may personalize it. Create a birdbath by attaching a tiny terra cotta pot on a saucer using glue.
Use the broken pieces of a large broken terra cotta flower pot as steps to the top of the fairy kingdom as one cute do-it-yourself container idea.