Fairy gardens have become an increasingly popular hobby and decoration over the last few years. At their core, fairy gardens are miniature gardens built in containers and decorated with small structures, plants, and figurines to create a whimsical tiny world. Choosing the right pot to build your fairy garden in is an important first step in this creative hobby.
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What is a fairy garden?
A fairy garden is a miniature garden built in a container and decorated with small accessories and figures to create a magical tiny world. They are usually built on a small scale and incorporate tiny structures, plants, furniture, and fairies or other figurines to bring the garden to life. Fairy gardens allow gardeners to flex their creativity and build a self-contained garden vignette that’s easy to care for and fun to decorate.
What are fairy gardens used for?
Fairy gardens have several uses:
- Decoration – Fairy gardens are highly decorative and bring a whimsical accent to indoor and outdoor spaces. Their miniature scale and imaginative designs can turn any ordinary space into a magical setting.
- Gift giving – Fairy gardens make unique and thoughtful gifts for gardener friends or as a sweet gift for children.
- Engaging children – Building and caring for a fairy garden encourages children to engage their creativity and can teach young gardeners how to care for plants.
- Expressing creativity – Building a fairy garden allows gardeners to flex their imagination and crafting skills to build a tiny magical world full of charm.
- Brightening spaces – Their lush greenery and playful accents enliven patios, decks, entryways, desktops and other spaces.
Components of a fairy garden
While each fairy garden will be unique, most incorporate some standard elements and accessories:
- Container – This serves as the foundation or landscape for building your garden scene. Pots come in wide shapes and materials.
- Soil – Potting mix specifically blended for container gardens provides drainage and nutrients for plants.
- Plants – Miniature plants suited to container growth are ideal. Choices like succulents, ferns, flowering plants and mini trees populate the garden.
- Hardscape – Miniature structures such as paths, fences, bridges, gates, ponds and stepping stones create hardscape.
- Accessories – These really bring the garden to life! Items like benches, furniture, decorative elements, and fairies or fairy garden gnomes add personality.
Choosing a fairy garden pot
The foundation of every good fairy garden starts with choosing the right container. Here are some tips on how to select your fairy garden pot:
Pot size
Fairy gardens can be created in containers of all sizes, but a good rule of thumb is to use pots between 1 to 3 feet wide. Very small pots under 6 inches wide won’t provide much room to work. Large pots over 2-3 feet wide can be cumbersome to move and decorate.
For a beginner fairy garden, aim for pots in the 10-12 inch range. This provides ample room for several plants, accessories, and visual interest without being unwieldy. Large planters around 18-24 inches work well for more advanced garden builders looking to incorporate themes or more intricate designs.
Pot depth
Fairly shallow containers that are wider than they are tall offer the most landscape to decorate. However, very shallow pots less than 5-6 inches deep won’t offer sufficient root space for plants. For the average fairy garden, look for pots around 8-12 inches deep.
Pot material
Fairy gardens work best in containers that hold moisture reasonably well. The material also impacts overall look and feel. Good pot materials include:
- Ceramic – Provides a classic look and comes in myriad shapes, colors, and styles. Soil dries slower than in metal or wood.
- Cement – Offers fun modern designs from geometric to natural shapes. Heavy weight provides stability.
- Wood – Great for a natural, rustic aesthetic. Cedar and redwood resist decay. Well-sealed interior helps retain moisture.
- Metal – Metallic sheen suits modern or vintage themes. Galvanized steel, copper, and aluminum have long life spans.
- Repurposed items – Everyday items like bowls, teacups, buckets or crates make fun, novel containers for fairy gardens.
Avoid using unsealed terra cotta pots as they rapidly draw moisture from the soil. Plastic pots work in a pinch but lack the natural, woodsy look central to the fairy garden theme.
Drainage
Whatever container you select, be sure it has drainage holes at the bottom. This is essential to prevent soggy soil that can lead to root rot in plants. If your chosen vessel doesn’t have drainage holes, you can add them yourself using a power drill fitted with a masonry bit. Place several evenly spaced holes in the bottom.
Best pots for fairy gardens
With these tips in mind, below are some of the top pots suited for fairy gardens:
| Pot Type | Features |
|---|---|
| Glazed ceramic pots | Attractive glossy finish in endless colors; midweight; retain moisture well |
| Terra cotta pots | Natural rustic appearance; porous for air movement; comes in variety of sizes and shapes |
| Concrete planters | Sleek modern look; heavyweight provides stability; drain efficiently |
| Galvanized metal buckets, tubs, and pots | Rustic metal sheen; lightweight for moving; scalloped, curved, or tapered shapes |
| Wooden window boxes | Rectangle shape offers linear landscape; versatile mounting options; charming rustic look |
| Repurposed teacups, mugs, and bowls | Fun unique vessels; ideal for compact spaces; easy to drill drainage holes |
The key is choosing a pot style and size suited to your space that also fits the garden theme. For whimsical gardens, ceramics in bright colors or sweet shapes work well. Rustic gardens look best in aged terra cotta, wood, or galvanized metal. Modern geometric gardens shine in concrete planters or sleek metals.
How to prepare fairy garden pots
Once you’ve selected the perfect container, follow these tips to get it ready for your fairy garden:
- Wash the container thoroughly – Use mild soap and warm water to remove any dirt or residues.
- Add drainage – If needed, drill several drainage holes in the bottom using a masonry bit. Space holes evenly approximately 2 inches apart.
- Apply sealant – Coat the inside of porous pots like unglazed terra cotta or wood with sealant. This helps retain moisture.
- Add gravel layer – Place a 1-inch layer of gravel in the bottom below the soil to improve drainage.
Your fairy garden pot is now ready to be filled with potting mix and the fun stages of creating your miniature garden!
Choosing the right soil
Fairy gardens thrive in a quality potting soil blend. Look for a mix formulated especially for container gardening rather than regular garden soil. Potting mixes are lightweight and porous to allow for proper drainage and air circulation through the soil. They also typically contain fertilizer to provide nutrients. A good potting soil contains:
- Peat or coconut coir
- Perlite or vermiculite
- Compost or bark
- Fertilizer
When preparing your container, fill it about 3/4 full with moistened potting mix. Allow about 1-2 inches of space below the rim for watering.
Accessorizing your fairy garden pot
The fun really starts once your fairy garden foundation is created! Choose small scale plants suited to containers from groundcovers, grasses, and flowering plants. Then let your imagination run wild picking out structures, hardscape, furniture, and figurines that bring your tiny garden theme to life.
Adhere to a consistent scale for the best effect. Avoid giant pieces next to tiny ones. Cluster elements in groupings rather than evenly spacing single pieces throughout the pot. This creates a more natural look and dimension. Dig holes in the soil to insert plants and press smaller accessories directly into the potting mix. Use miniature hooks, brackets, and stands to hang or display taller items and add height.
Lightweight additions like furniture, decor, and fairies can be moved and swapped out over time to give your fairy garden a fresh new look each season!
Fairy garden pot ideas
Fairy gardens can take shape in any container that strikes your fancy. But some tried and true pot styles that are commonly used include:
Teacups
The small scale makes charming teacups, mugs, and tea pots perfect for compact fairy gardens. Cluster a collection of cups in a tray for a delightful vignette.
Wooden crates
An old wooden crate on its side makes for a neat linear garden. Line the interior with plastic or moss before filling.
Planters
Classic rectangular window boxes offer long, unbroken planting space. Round or oval pots work well too.
Wheelbarrows
For a fun look, plant up a miniature metal or wooden wheelbarrow. The long shape lends well to fairy gardens.
Lanterns
Multi-level Asian lanterns with doors and windows make an ideal fairy abode. Place potting mix inside the base and decorate the rooms.
Conclusion
When it comes to pots for fairy gardens, almost anything goes! Container shape, size, and style should be based on the setting and theme of your individual garden. Be sure to incorporate good drainage, an appropriate potting mix, and scales that complement each other. The rest is up to your imagination. Happy fairy gardening!
