These small plants make a big impact in fairy gardens and other miniature plantings.
Jason Donnelly
Fairy gardens are postage-stamp plots that require the most petite of plantings.
But these whimsical little landscapes offer so much more than small-scale greenery.
Credit:Jason Donnelly
They add a touch of magic with their miniature structures and fairy figurines.
It’shardy in USDA Zones 9-11, but can become weedy in ideal conditions.
Or, grow it indoors in a terrarium or pot.
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Baby tears prefers consistently moist soil and indirect light.
It requires bright but indirect light, consistently moist soil, andthrives in humid environments like terrariums.
Spike moss grows very slowly, but once mature, it can create a dense carpet of green foliage.
Credit: Marty Baldwin
Miniature Fig Tree
Some varieties of fig trees stay under a foot tall.
For example, ‘Tiny Limey’ is a dwarfFicus microcarpa(shown here).
Or look for a dwarf weeping fig such asFicus benjamina’Mini'.
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These miniature trees work equally well for bonsai or fairy gardens.
Mosttypes ofFicusprefer well-drained soil that’s kept on the moist side.
It’s most commonly grown as a houseplant but also makes a colorful tropical annual in the garden.
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This tropical plant does best with high humidity, plenty of moisture, andbright but indirect light.
It can withstand regular trimming and shaping, making it a good candidate for a fairy garden.
Once it’s established, this perennial is very drought-tolerant, and it’s hardy in Zones 6-9.
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It grows up to 2 feet tall andrequires full sun.
Regular water and part sun will keep the Mexican heather blooming all summer long.
Since it’s heat-tolerant, it’s a good candidate for an outdoor fairy garden.
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It does best in morning or evening sun, but hot midday sun will stress it.
This stonecrop needs good drainage, and can withstand drought and hot weather.
It’s hardy in Zones 7-9.
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The plant reaches about 6 inches tall, forming a tiny mound of leaves that fold up at night.
It can grow up to 3 feet tall but can be kept smaller with regular pinching.
It requires regular watering inwell-drained soiland fares best outdoors in Zones 4-9.
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The plant can grow up to a foot tall so may need occasional pinching back to stay compact.
Look for the plain green-leafed version, too.
Dwarf Umbrella Plant
Dwarf umbrella tree (Schefflera ais a smallertype ofSchefflerathat gets about 3-4 feet tall.
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It can be pruned to keep it shorter.
Water thoroughly only after the soil becomes very dry, and give it bright but indirect light indoors.
Allow the soil to dry slightly between waterings.
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Coleus
Upright varieties ofcoleuswith small leaves make a bright focal point in miniature gardens.
Grow coleus indoors or out in the garden as an annual.
The plant forms a tidy mound about 6 inches tall.
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It prefers consistently moist but well-drained soil and bright, indirect light.
The colors often look their best in part shade locations.
Bugleweed is hardy in Zones 3-9, going dormant in winter and returning in spring.
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This conical evergreen tree tops out around 6 feet tall.
It needs full sun to achieve its brightest chartreuse color, which it keeps year-round.
This tree is hardy in Zones 7-9; in colder regions, grow it indoors as a houseplant.
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It grows best in part shade, but will tolerate full sun outdoors if watered frequently.
It’s hardy in Zones 4-8.
Grow this plant indoors in bright but indirect light and consistently moist but well-drained soil.
Credit:Jason Donnelly
It grows about a 18 inches tall.
The pale pink veins on its arrow-shaped leaves bring a subtle touch of color.
Credit:Jason Donnelly
Credit:Jason Donnelly
Credit:Jason Donnelly
Credit:Jason Donnelly
Credit:Jason Donnelly
Credit:Jason Donnelly
