Have you ever seen those beautiful, intricate miniature gardens and wished you could create one of your own? Well, you’re in luck. Creating a miniature landscape is easier than you might think – and it’s definitely cheaper than trying to build an actual full-scale garden. All you need is a little creativity, some basic gardening supplies, and of course, the right plants.
To help get you started, we’ve put together a list of the 10 best tiny plants for miniature landscaping. These plants are all easy to care for, relatively low-maintenance, and most importantly, they stay small! So whether you’re looking to create a desktop zen garden or a fairy garden for your patio, read on for our top plant picks.
Baby Toes (Fenestraria rhopalophylla)
Baby toes are succulents that come from the deserts of Southern Africa. They get their name from their chubby leaves which resemble tiny baby toes poking out of the ground. These lovely little plants can tolerate long periods of drought and will do well even in sunny, sandy areas with very little water or soil.
If you’re new to gardening, baby toes are an excellent choice since they’re almost impossible to kill. Just make sure not to overwater them – a couple times per month should be plenty.
Creeping Jenny (Lysimachia nummularia ‘Aurea’)
Creeping Jenny is a perennial groundcover that’s native to Europe. It gets its common name from its long, trailing stems which can reach up to 2 feet in length. This plant is perfect for covering large areas or draping over walls and fences in your miniature landscape.
The bright golden leaves of the ‘Aurea’ variety add a touch of whimsy and magic to any garden. While Creeping Jenny prefers moist soil, it will tolerates some shade and can even survive brief periods of drought.
Chinese Fairy Bells (Disporum spp.)
Chinese Fairy Bells are delicate-looking shade plants that originate from woodlands in Asia. They get their common name from their slender green stems which give them a bell-like shape.
These plants are perfect for dappled shade gardens or as underplantings beneath larger trees and shrubs. In late spring, Chinese Fairy Bells produce small white flowers which dangle beneath the plant like miniature bells ringing in the fairies.
American Rubythroat (Hedyotis crassifolia)
American Rubythroat is a native wildflower that’s found throughout much of the eastern United States. It gets its common name from the red “throat” (or center) of its tiny white flowers which appear in early summer.
This plant forms dense mats of greenery which make it perfect for use as groundcover or as an edging plant along pathways and gardens beds. American Rubythroat is quite tolerant of both sun and shade but prefers moist soils.
Conclusion
Whether you’re looking to add some charm to your patio or create a desktop oasis, these 4 plants are perfect for miniature landscaping projects big and small. And since they all stay relatively small, you won’t have to worry about them taking over your yard or eating up all your windowsill space.
So what are you waiting for? Grab your gardening supplies and get started on your very own miniature landscape today.