21 Adorably Petite Plants for Fairy Gardens (2024)

Fairy gardens are sometimes called miniature gardens, and it's true, these postage-stamp plots do require the most petite of plantings. But these whimsical little gardens offer so much more than small-scale greenery. They bring a touch of magic to your landscape, with their shrunken structures, miniature garden plants, and fairy statues. Whether you're planting your tiny garden in an indoor container or tucking it into an outdoor nook, these little flowers and shrubs will spark your imagination as you plan your layout.

1. Silver Sprinkles Plant (Top Left)

A type of pilea, this gray-and-silver plant forms a low, tangled groundcover, setting down roots along the stems. Allow the top inch of soil to dry before watering, and protect the plant from hot afternoon sun.

2. Spikemoss (Top Right)

Sometimes called clubmoss, this fern-like plant thrives in humid terrariums. It grows very slowly, but once mature, can create a dense carpet of green foliage.

3. Miniature Fig Tree (Bottom)

The leaves of the 'Tiny Limey' miniature fig are smaller than those of other Ficus microcarpa. This plant works equally well for bonsai or miniature gardens and prefers well-drained, but moist soil.

4. Polka-Dot Plant

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Available in pink, red, or white, this is a favorite of fairy gardeners. Its variegated leaves contrast beautifully with other types of foliage. Pinch the tips to keep it down in size.

5. Gray Lavender Cotton

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This Mediterranean herb's aromatic gray and green foliage can withstand regular trimming and shaping, making it a good candidate for a fairy garden. Despite its name, gray lavender cotton's midsummer blooms are actually bright yellow. Once it's established, this perennial is very drought-tolerant.

6. Mexican Heather

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This pretty shrub can be kept small with pruning, and it can even be shaped into a topiary. Regular water and full sun will keep the Mexican heather blooming. Since it's heat-tolerant, it's a good candidate for an outdoor fairy garden.

7. Golden Japanese Stonecrop

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This low-growing bright golden sedum can create a carpet-like covering amongst your other miniature garden plants. It enjoys gentle morning or evening sun. Hot midday sun will beat it down, although it can tolerate hot weather and withstand drought.

8. Wood Sorrel

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This noninvasive type of wood sorrel shows off pink and purple leaves all the time, and it sports bright yellow flowers when in bloom.

9. Fuschia Begonia

This tiny begonia looks similar to a fuschia, but it really is a begonia. Allow it to dry a bit between waterings, and give it morning sun, while shielding it from afternoon rays.

10. Elfin Thyme

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Elfin thyme forms a very low mat of ultra-tiny green leaves, then bursts forth with deep-pink blossoms in late spring. It requires regular watering in well-drained soil and fares best outdoors.

11. Variegated Artillery Plant

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Perfect for humid terrariums or fairy gardens, this pilea needs occasional pinching at the tips in order to stay small. Look for the plain green-leafed version, too.

12. Dwarf Umbrella Plant

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Schefflera make a nice choice for those new to bonsai. Water thoroughly only after the soil becomes very dry, and pinch the tips of the leaves to shape the plant.

13. Miniature Oakleaf Creeping Fig

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With a preference for low light and high humidity, this pretty little vine is a good choice for terrariums or moist dish gardens. The charming foliage resembles miniature oak leaves.

14. Coleus

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Upright coleus with small leaves make a bright focal point in miniature gardens. Some can be trained to a single stem by removing side foliage.

15. Ripple Peperomia

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Available in burgundy or green, this little plant is a nice addition to a terrarium, growing to only about 6 inches tall. The soil should be moist but well-drained. Peperomias are known as one of the easiest houseplants to grow.

16. Bugleweed

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Every spring, this leafy groundcover plant sends up bloom stalks covered in deep-blue flowers. Be aware that this plant can spread, so you should avoid planting it near your lawn. It goes dormant in cold-winter climates.

17. Golden Monterey Cypress

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Soft to the touch, this dwarf cypress needs full sun to achieve its bright gold color, but that doesn't necessitate a hot climate: This petite plant prefers temperatures between 55 and 65 degrees Fahrenheit. Allow soil to dry slightly before watering.

18. Golden Creeping Speedwell

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This plant forms a nearly flat carpet of small round leaves and blooms with light blue flowers in summer. Once established, it's drought-tolerant.

19. Dwarf Ixora

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This small, slow-growing shrub has a naturally rounded shape. It will bloom repeatedly in full sun, as long as you make sure to regularly water it.

20. Asparagus Fern

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Not actually a fern, this oddly-named plant tolerates dry indoor air better than real ferns do. Asparagus ferns prefer bright, indirect light over full shade, and the soil should be well-drained.

21. Dwarf Arrowhead Plant

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This dwarf version of the popular arrowhead houseplant makes a good choice for terrariums, as it grows only 4 to 6 inches tall. The pale-pink veins on its arrow-shaped leaves bring a subtle touch of color.

Insights, advice, suggestions, feedback and comments from experts

Fairy gardens, also known as miniature gardens, are small-scale gardens that incorporate shrunken structures, miniature plants, and fairy statues to create a whimsical and magical atmosphere. These gardens can be planted in indoor containers or outdoor nooks, and they offer a unique opportunity to spark imagination and creativity in garden design.

Now, let's dive into the information related to the concepts mentioned in the article:

Silver Sprinkles Plant (Top Left)

The Silver Sprinkles Plant is a type of pilea with gray and silver foliage. It forms a low, tangled groundcover and sets down roots along the stems. This plant should be watered when the top inch of soil is dry and protected from hot afternoon sun [[1]].

Spikemoss (Top Right)

Spikemoss, also known as clubmoss, is a fern-like plant that thrives in humid terrariums. It grows slowly but can create a dense carpet of green foliage once mature [[2]].

Miniature Fig Tree (Bottom)

The 'Tiny Limey' miniature fig tree has smaller leaves compared to other Ficus microcarpa varieties. It is suitable for bonsai or miniature gardens and prefers well-drained, moist soil [[3]].

Polka-Dot Plant

The Polka-Dot Plant is a favorite among fairy gardeners. It is available in pink, red, or white and has variegated leaves that contrast beautifully with other foliage. Pinching the tips of the plant helps control its size [[4]].

Gray Lavender Cotton

Gray Lavender Cotton is a Mediterranean herb with aromatic gray and green foliage. It can withstand regular trimming and shaping, making it a good candidate for fairy gardens. Despite its name, the plant produces bright yellow blooms in midsummer. It is drought-tolerant once established [[5]].

Mexican Heather

Mexican Heather is a pretty shrub that can be kept small with pruning and shaped into a topiary. It requires regular watering and full sun to bloom. It is heat-tolerant and suitable for outdoor fairy gardens [[6]].

Golden Japanese Stonecrop

Golden Japanese Stonecrop is a low-growing sedum with bright golden foliage. It can create a carpet-like covering among other miniature garden plants. It prefers gentle morning or evening sun and can tolerate hot weather and drought [[7]].

Wood Sorrel

Wood Sorrel is a noninvasive plant with pink and purple leaves. It displays bright yellow flowers when in bloom [[8]].

Fuschia Begonia

Fuschia Begonia is a tiny begonia that resembles a fuschia flower. It should be watered after allowing the soil to dry slightly and prefers morning sun while being shielded from afternoon rays [[9]].

Elfin Thyme

Elfin Thyme forms a low mat of ultra-tiny green leaves and produces deep-pink blossoms in late spring. It requires regular watering in well-drained soil and fares best outdoors [[10]].

Variegated Artillery Plant

Variegated Artillery Plant, a type of pilea, is perfect for humid terrariums or fairy gardens. Occasional pinching at the tips helps keep it small. There is also a plain green-leafed version available [[11]].

Dwarf Umbrella Plant

Dwarf Umbrella Plant, a type of schefflera, is a good choice for beginners in bonsai. It should be watered thoroughly only when the soil becomes very dry, and the tips of the leaves can be pinched to shape the plant [[12]].

Miniature Oakleaf Creeping Fig

Miniature Oakleaf Creeping Fig is a vine that prefers low light and high humidity. It is suitable for terrariums or moist dish gardens and has foliage resembling miniature oak leaves [[13]].

Coleus

Upright coleus with small leaves can serve as a bright focal point in miniature gardens. Some varieties can be trained to a single stem by removing side foliage [[14]].

Ripple Peperomia

Ripple Peperomia is a small plant available in burgundy or green. It grows to only about 6 inches tall and is a nice addition to terrariums. The soil should be moist but well-drained. Peperomias are known for being easy to grow as houseplants [[15]].

Bugleweed

Bugleweed is a leafy groundcover plant that produces deep-blue flowers in spring. It can spread, so it's best to avoid planting it near lawns. It goes dormant in cold-winter climates [[16]].

Golden Monterey Cypress

Golden Monterey Cypress is a dwarf cypress with soft foliage. It requires full sun to achieve its bright gold color but prefers temperatures between 55 and 65 degrees Fahrenheit. The soil should be allowed to dry slightly before watering [[17]].

Golden Creeping Speedwell

Golden Creeping Speedwell forms a nearly flat carpet of small round leaves and blooms with light blue flowers in summer. Once established, it is drought-tolerant [[18]].

Dwarf Ixora

Dwarf Ixora is a small, slow-growing shrub with a naturally rounded shape. It blooms repeatedly in full sun and requires regular watering [[19]].

Asparagus Fern

Asparagus Fern, despite its name, is not a fern. It tolerates dry indoor air better than real ferns and prefers bright, indirect light. The soil should be well-drained [[20]].

Dwarf Arrowhead Plant

Dwarf Arrowhead Plant is a smaller version of the popular arrowhead houseplant. It grows only 4 to 6 inches tall and has pale-pink veins on its arrow-shaped leaves [[21]].

These are the plants mentioned in the article, along with their characteristics and care requirements. Fairy gardens provide a delightful way to incorporate these plants into miniature landscapes, adding a touch of magic and creativity to any space.

21 Adorably Petite Plants for Fairy Gardens (2024)
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