Download Plants for Indoor Miniature Gardens

Plants for Indoor Miniature Gardens
Creeping fig (Ficus pumila syn. F. repens): Stems covered by overlapping small, dark,
oval leaves; used in topiary, terrariums, wall covers and hanging baskets.
Baby's tears (Soleirolia soleirolii): Teeny-tiny green leaves grow low and
spreading; may need occasional trimming.
Dwarf false cypress (Chamaecyparis lawsoniana 'Ellwood's Pillar' or C.
lawsoniana'Ellwood's Pygmy'): Excellent dwarf conifers with slow growth and a bluish
color.
Weeping fig tree (Ficus benjamina): Faster growing than dwarf plants, but can be
trained as a bonsai and kept to size.
Lemon cypress (Cupressus macrocarpa): Chartreuse color; foliage is lemon-scented.
Can be fast growing, but is tolerant of constant pruning.
Mini Ivy (Hedera helix sp.) Look for the smallest leaves you can find, will require
trimming.
Mosaic/Nerve Plant (Fittonia ‘Mini White’ ) Interesting white veins through green
leaves.
Polka-dot plant (Hypoestes phyllostachya): Dark green leaves have pink and white
freckles; easy care. Note: Does get big!
Spikemoss (Selaginella): Textured and airy, looks just like fairyland.
Black Mondo Grass (Ophiopogon japonicus 'Nana') Dark, strappy leaves.
Any small ferns, cactuses or other tender small succulents
Plants for Outdoor Miniature Gardens
Brass buttons (Cotula coronopifolia): Has the appearance of tiny ferns; ground
hugging and easy to control.
Dwarf English boxwood (Buxus sempervirens 'Suffruticosa'): Makes excellent small
trees
Dwarf lady's mantle (Alchemilla erythropoda): Drops of water collect on leaves
Dwarf mondo grass (Ophiopogon japonicus 'Nana'): Dark green,
clumping grass that spreads easily and stays short.
Dwarf thrift (Armeria maritima 'Victor Reiter' or A. juniperifolia): Tufted, grasslike
growth with lasting, globular pink flowers.
Elfin thyme (Thymus serpyllum 'Elfin'): Dense, mat-forming ground-cover herb with
a greenish gray leaf and lovely aroma.
Miniature sweet flag (Acorus gramineus 'Minimus Aureus'): Slender gold and green
blades growing in a fan shape. As with all the A. gramineus cultivars, this must be kept
evenly moist in order to maintain lustrous foliage.
Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis): A classic herb that in lore is said to be a favorite
hiding place for fairies; can be trimmed to look like a small tree or shrub.
Succulents (Sedum, Sempervivum, Jovibarba): For dry conditions, cactus gardens
and desert fairies.
Ice plants ( Delosperma basuticum) A clump of little jellybean-like
leaves topped, with 1.5" screaming yellow daisies
Wire vine (Muehlenbeckia axillaris): Delicate yet sturdy vining plant that can be
trained over small arbors, up trellises or as a trailing accent.
Dwarf or miniature conifers (many different kinds): Must be slow growing. Dwarfs
grow 2 to 3 inches a year; miniatures 1 inch a year).
Plants for Terrariums
Enclosed or Non-Draining Terrariums
Rex Begonia Begonia rex (small-leaf varieties)
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Prayer Plant Calathea species or Maranta species
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Carnivorous Plants: Sundew, Venus Fly Trap, etc.
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Earth Star/ Rainbow Star Cryptanthus
Ribbon Plant Dracaena sanderiana
Ferns
Creeping Fig Ficus pumila, Ficus reptens
Nerve plant Fittonia species
Ivy Hedera helix (small-leaf varieties)
Baby’s Tears Helxine soleirolii
Miniature Wax Plant Hoya bella
Tree Gloxinia Kohleria amabilis
Parlor Palm Neanthe bella
Watermelon Plant Pellionia
Peperomia Peperomia species
Artillery Plant/ Creeping Charlie Pilea
Mother of Thousands Saxifraga sarmentosa
Spreading Clubmoss, Resurrection Plant Selaginella
Cacti and succulents prefer open, well drained containers. Aloe, Agave,
Echeveria, Jades, Haworthias and Sempervivum are all good choices for desert
terrariums.