succulent are drouth - immune works native to waterless regions .
Some , like hen and chicks ( Echeveria ) , houseleeks ( Sempervivum ) , and living stone ( Lithops ) , have leaves , but no theme .
Others , like cacti ( Cactaceae menage ) , have a stem and no leaves .
This “tree” is a species calledDorstenia.
And then there are those with a stalk and leaf , like the ghost works ( Graptopetalum ) and jade plant ( Crassula ) .
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What they all have in vernacular is the power to lay in pee in plump , fleshy foliage to make it dry spell .
From midget species , like living stones that are less than an inch tall , to the 82 - foot African baobab , succulents offer a gravid kind of sizes and semblance , SHAPE , and grain .
And let me warn you : They ’re like potato chips , and it ’s hard to stop at one once you ’ve got a taste for them .
Ourguides to growing succulentsdiscuss all you need to know to grow various species in USDA Hardiness Zones 7 to 12 andindoors as houseplants .
This article zeroes in on a singular way to showcase a collecting of miniature succulents : the fairy garden . Read on and learn what a nance garden is and how to make your own .
Here ’s what we ’ll cover :
What You’ll Learn
Let ’s get creative !
What Is a Succulent Fairy Garden?
A fairy garden is a small-scale - scale humanity of magic and inquire where miniature succulents become trees , bush , rocks , and flowers , and tiny beings live their make - believe lives .
The CRO of the project is whatever your warmheartedness desire . If you live in one of the warmest zone , you could work outdoors in the garden .
For those who do n’t , myself included , we ’ll create displays in containers that inspire us .
The Best Container
Select a well - debilitate container of any diameter you ’d wish to work with . Miniature succulents have shallow antecedent , so a depth of four inch is adequate .
If you are prepared to crafting , you may repurpose a vessel . Just be certain to practise at least one hole in the bottom for excess body of water to extend out .
Whatever container you choose , place a drip mould goat god or disc beneath it .
Our article onsucculent containersfeatures exciting choice from which to prefer .
Once you have your watercraft , lave it with a balmy dish detergent and water and dry out it .
Suitable Potting Soil
The honorable potting soil for our project is one explicate for cactus and succulents . Such product are loose , gamy , and well - draining while being moisture - retentive at the same time .
Our pathfinder , How to Make Your Own Potting Soil for Succulents , has everything you ask to know to mix a suitable potting soil .
Or , if you choose , you’re able to buy one .
Hoffman ’s Cactus and Succulent Soil Mix
Hoffman ’s Cactus and Succulent Soil Mix isavailable via Amazon .
When you set in Hoffman ’s mix , you see to it the roots are well activate , the pH is appropriate , and the soil drain well .
Fill your container at least three - quarters full of pot soil . There should be no more than one in of infinite between the soil ’s surface and the container ’s brim .
Assorted Supplies
Miniature tools are helpful when trying to manipulate minor plants and figurines . You belike have most of what you ’ll need around the house already .
you may apply a sportsmanlike artist ’s paintbrush or ornamental copse to disperse off folio and cosmetic items . The pointed death is also helpful for tracing lines in the potting soil to instal the position of paths and other purpose elements .
teetotal measure cups and spoons are commodious for scooping soil and accent like colorful crushed rock or sand .
Nail scissors grip make it well-fixed to prune foliage as needed .
Gripping modest detail with tweezers makes them wanton to place in a aspect .
A shrimp or dessert fork makes a good roue for shine the soil . And an iced tea spoonful with a recollective handle and narrow-minded bowl may be just what you involve to mound dirt in a pie-eyed point .
A squeeze play spirt nursing bottle lets you aim body of water at the soil level , avoiding wet the leave and dislodging figures .
Or , if you like , you may purchase a tool outfit for tiny horticulture .
In this comprehensive scale - down kit , you ’ll find pitch , scoops , spadeful , snips , tweezers , watering equipment , and more .
Mini Garden Succulent Tools Set
One of my preferent pieces is the melodic line debris blower for remove every touch of backbone to keep plant and ornaments looking their good .
The Mini Garden Succulent Tools Set by SONGZIMING isavailable via Amazon .
And if you ’re in the market for a new pair of gloves , see our inspection of thebest gardening gloves .
Choosing a Theme
If you are a figurine collector , you could showcase them alongside your favorite succulent coinage .
Use a ratio of about two - thirds plants to one - third accessories so that the plant makes up the mass of the display .
reckon view when plan . For example , an challenging lumberjack may be much smaller than a tree .
Here are some theme idea to instigate you :
merged toys and miniature dollhouse furnishing , allow they can withstand the occasional inadvertent sprinkle with the lacrimation can .
Character fig , chairs , beauty , and tables all have the potential difference to be focal breaker point in your mini world .
Plants with a Purpose
When selecting flora species , consider what role they ’ll toy , as well as their sizing , shape , texture , and color .
Do you imagine a world where your preschooler ’s toy dinosaur roam beneath tall trees ?
Or perhaps a setting for your angel statue , among the flowers in a heavenly garden ?
The organization with the backer in the photograph is made in a multi - tiered pot contrive for fairy garden .
This two - tiered gash - away faux terra cotta container is made of resin and features a stairway connecting the upper and lower planting areas .
Mini Fairy Garden Succulent Planter Pot
Overall property are little , at 6.5 inch broad , 1.5 inches tall , and 6.2 in deep .
The Mini Fairy Garden Succulent Planter by Pacific Giftware isavailable from Amazon .
And here is a multi - tiered choice :
This vessel is made of resin and features a crackled false terra cotta finish and tiered sections .
Fairy Garden Pot with Sweet House
The planting section are very small and accommodate tiny plants . Overall dimension are a mere 6.89 column inch tall , 6.69 inches wide , and 6.3 inch mysterious .
The Fairy Garden Pot with Sweet House by OUNONA isavailable via Amazon .
you’re able to learn about dissimilar species in our article,11 Best Easy - Care succulent to Grow at Home .
Take distinction of mature dimensions as you plan your display , and choice dwarf varieties of your darling for your project .
If you ca n’t find a small version of a species you care , plan on trim on a regular basis to maintain the size you want .
Ourarticles on the art of bonsaimay inspire you to approach your project from this creative direction .
Some of my favourite miniature mintage are :
Here ’s a beginning of quality plants for you to consider :
You ’ll receive a beautiful raiment of miniature coinage in two - inch pot . Species vary according to availableness .
motley Small succulent
Assorted Small succulent areavailable from Succulent Gardensin computer software of six , 10 , or 64 plants .
And finally , consider incorporatingair plantsinto your garden . They require no territory and can be hit for occasional misting and exchange afterward .
Accessorizing
The accessory items assist to limit the musical theme of your projection . You ’ll in all likelihood need a path for a walk in the Wood , and a cottage may need a picket fencing .
Collect natural detail , like pebble for paths and branchlet for campfires . A pine cone makes an instant true fir Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree . A glisten white clam shell , a sandy beach .
you may bring out your dodgy side when go down your notional scene with repurposed materials , like bottleful caps for stepping Edward Durell Stone and popsicle stick “ lumber ” for building cabins and breeze table .
In gain to figurine , regain natural objects , and upcycled token , you could buy ornamental accessories . The possibilities are vast , acquaintance !
Fairy Outdoor Garden Animals Figurines Hedgehogs and Mushrooms
If you ’re after hedgehogs and toadstool pansy rings , Queekay offers packages of two brown rosin hedgehogs measuring 1.6 inches long and 0.9 inches tall , and four red wooden mushrooms with white polka Transportation measuring an inch wide-cut and 1.25 inches marvellous .
Fairy Outdoor Garden Animals Figurines Hedgehogs and Mushrooms by Queekayare available from Amazon .
And if you ’re in the food market for a faux water focal point , here ’s a combining bridge and pool .
Cinda Stone Pond and Bridge Fairy Garden
This product is made of polyresin and looks like it ’s been in place for many years .
Features include a weathered , stack stone finish , sozzled - pool expression , and swim turtle . Measurements are 7 3/8 inches long , 7 3/4 inches full , and 2 column inch tall .
The August Grove ® Cinda Stone Pond and Bridge Fairy Garden isavailable via Wayfair .
There are also complete accessory kits available with quick - made themes .
Here is one for those with a passion for gnome .
You ’ll stumble upon a dwarf tunnel with this brightly - colored resin band that includes a 15 1/2 - column inch false log planting vessel , a squirrel - topped mushroom cloud bungalow , six stocking - capped gnomes , a tea table , wish bridge , sprouting toadstools , and a occupant anuran .
Garden Gnomes Tiny Forest Friends Fairy Garden
In this type of display , the embellishment will dominate unless you use larger plant .
For example , if you care to admit a tall tree , a full - size fornicatress plant may be a more logical choice than a dwarf species .
The Garden Gnomes Tiny Forest Friends Fairy Garden by Design Toscano isavailable via Wayfair .
Whatever your pleasance , choose accessories that support an overall theme for the good ocular introduction .
Staging the Display
Use the back end of your artist ’s thicket , or a pencil , to “ draw ” paths and locations for flora and figures .
you may “ erase ” easy if you want to try various configurations by smoothing the indentations in the soil with your crotch or rake .
Once you have your materials and a pretty good idea of where they will go , you may set each pot and accoutrement on top of the soil to see how it all lays out .
Begin with your largest thematic elements and plants first , and crop the smaller one in among them .
depart at least one inch around each miniature plant life to accommodate growth and promote air flow .
If you choose to integrate larger plant life into your invention , take mature dimensions into account and space accordingly .
After seeing everything laid out , take a photo with your headphone if you like , and elevate everything off the soil for the next whole tone .
Assembling the Contents
If you use big items , like the bridge and pond recommended above , get back them first , and then build your scene around them .
As observe , succulents have shallow roots . cautiously remove your chosen species from their starter pots . undo the grime and any visible root .
Mound the dirt a small and reconcile each plant into it so that the summit , where the foliage and ascendent meet , is even with the container ’s rim . tot soil as require . annul constitute too deeply as it piddle vegetation prostrate to rot .
Add accessories as you go , remembering to go away at least an column inch around plant for growing room . Should they grow larger than expected , you may snip them with your scissors as needed .
To make variations in height for your ornaments , slightly mound or scoop out the soil as involve .
When you ’ve get everything where you require it , tamp the ground firmly around the plants .
As a finishing touch , you may bid to purchase a belittled fibril of battery - maneuver fairy lights to grace your view in the twilight hours .
Watering and Maintenance
Water at the territory level when your display is put together – not over the foliage or decorations . weewee until it run from the drainage hole .
Tamp the soil around the plants and press the figurines softly to see they are firmly in place .
put the container on a drip mould pan and put your ruined project in a location with shiny , indirect sun .
In the future , water only when the container wholly dry out . You canuse a wet meterto guide you .
When mature succulent , bad love is crucial . If you water them too soon , they are probable to rot .
However , with a well - drain container , informal and aeriform potting soil , and watering only when the land dries out , you ’re well on your way to success .
Learn more about water requirements for succulent here .
Fertilizer is not ask . Prune as needed to maintain want build or size , or to remove damage or dead foliage .
Petite and Picturesque
Succulent fairy garden are fun to keep or give as gifts . Put one on your desk and enjoy a mini escape with every glimpse .
Now that you ’re ready to venture into miniatures , I recommend the book“Tiny Plants ” by Leslie F. Halleck . In addition to succulents , you ’ll obtain many other itty - bitty plants to love .
It ’s clock time to choose your container and cull a root word for a lilliputian and picturesque garden adventure !
If you found this guide helpful and need toread more about succulent , we urge the following :
© Ask the Experts , LLC . ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.See our TOSfor more details . production photos via Hoffman ’s , Ounona , Pacific Giftware , SONGZIMING , Succulent Gardens , Queekay , and Wayfair . Uncredited picture : Shutterstock .
About
Nan Schiller
