Fairy gardens are a great way to add light and magic to your garden. You can either start with the fairies or the plants for fairy gardens. This article will go through some of the best plants for fairy gardens, and why some of them are perfect to create this magical world! You’ll find a comprehensive list of the best fairy garden plants including both succulents and other types of plants to add wonder to your garden and to create a small wonderland!
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Succulents
Succulents are great plants to have in a fairy garden for a few reasons. They come in many shapes, colors, and textures. Some flower as well, like jade plants (you can read about some other flowering succulents here). They also require minimal watering, and most remain fairly small, so they don’t overwhelm the other plants in your fairy garden. Succulents are also great for fairy gardens because they typically don’t have very large roots, so you can plant them in very shallow or different-shaped containers.
String of Buttons
Also known as crassula perforata, this succulent looks like it is made of buttons piled one on top of the other. These climb high into the sky, making them perfect for a small “button forest” in your fairy garden. These can grow really tall in a garden, so they will require occasional trimming unless you want them to tower over all of the other plants. When trimming, either put the tops in a new section of your fairy garden to grow, or give them to someone as a succulent gift (just plant them in the dirt 1-2 “buttons” down)!
Crassula Springtime
This stunning plant has petals that look like mini scoops. It also bursts into vibrant colors in the springtime and summer, with clusters of pink flowers. If this succulent is in an outdoor fairy garden, you’ll get bees and butterflies visiting this fairy garden when the flowers are in bloom.
Echeveria Doris Taylor
This little cactus sits in a pretty rose shape. In the spring, it will shoot up a tall flower stalk that blooms in brilliant orange hues. This magical transformation will add life and whimsy to your favorite container garden. (You can read more about this beautiful succulent in flowering succulents!)
Ruby Necklace
This little succulent is fantastic for cascading down the side of your container or steps. Place it next to a fairy house and these purple and red beany leaves will pop out beautiful little yellow flowers all year long. This could be perfect for flowing over one pot into the next for a larger potted fairy garden as well, hiding some of the pot behind this beautiful succulent.
String of Pearls
This succulent is another beautiful cascading succulent, that produces green leaves in the shape of pearls that hang along a central stem. The plant blooms from the middle to end of the summer. Surprisingly, the white flowers produce an aroma similar to cinnamon. This succulent can either be placed to the side to hang over the pot, or placed to act as a green waterfall in the middle of your fairy garden. This is a favorite of the fairy garden plants. Looking to have this separately? Read more about the string of pearls in hanging succulents.
Other Plants
You definitely don’t have to only use succulents as fairy garden plants. There are so many plants that go perfectly in fairy gardens. Here are some of the best non-succulents to add to your fairy garden.
Coleus
This versatile plant comes in a variety of colors, from light green and pink to a deep, dark red. For a spooky theme, the Black Dragon species is a dark bumpy leaf plant. This coleus variety will only grow a foot in each direction. The leaves are bubbly and rough similar to lava, providing a wonderful textural addition to your fairy container.
Mini Oakleaf Creeping Fig
For shady or moist areas, this plant will thrive well. Let this little beauty vine over miniature tree stumps to provide splendid cover for hidden treasures. Hide miniature frogs, butterflies, or gems under the branches of this foliage to add an additional element to your magical fairy garden.
Asparagus Ferns
The asparagus ferns are incredible plants for your fairy garden, acting as miniature trees. The bright yellow-green leaves are vibrant and fun when you mix them with dark red stalks and other dark plants. These ferns prefer indoor conditions, so only use them for indoor fairy gardens! Be careful when handling or watering to not to touch the leaves, as they will start to drop like needles.
Dwarf Arrowhead Plant
The miniature arrowhead plant is a wonderful leafy plant that you can tuck a fairy or gnome under. This is a higher maintenance plant to add to your fairy garden. The Spruce says this variety likes tropical conditions with temperatures at 60 degrees Fahrenheit and higher (so keep this plant to an indoor fairy garden if you don’t live somewhere it gets below 60!). It also needs regular moisture. You can have this plant growing in many fairy garden areas by taking cuttings of the dwarf arrowhead and starting them in water.
Golden Creeping Speedwell
As a vining plant, this variety will work well for covering larger areas of the pot, like between structures. Adding it in the front of rocks will soften the look and tone down the design of this fairy garden. This plant is great for containers in dry conditions once you get it going. This plant is very small, and will only grow to three inches tall.
Fuchsia Begonia
This tiny plant may confuse some because it looks like a fuchsia plant, but it’s really a miniature begonia. The incredible deep red stems and the earthy green leaves add variety and texture to a delicate garden design. These plants like to sunbathe in the mornings and avoid the heat of the day.
Elfin Thyme
No fairy garden is complete without a plant with tiny leaves. The Elfin thyme leaves are so small, they provide fantastic cover in these little gardens. The plant will vine out over rocks, stone walkways, the sides of bridges, and the bottoms of benches. In spring, the foliage will burst out in tiny dark pink blossoms. This thyme grows well in outside containers.
There are so many great fairy garden plant options, these are just a few. Some of the best characteristics of fairy garden plants include: being small, having small leaves/flowers, and being vibrant colors. A fairy garden is a place for small creatures to live, so try to keep all of the plants small sized to make the magic flow!
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Insights, advice, suggestions, feedback and comments from experts
Introduction
As an expert in fairy gardens, I have extensive knowledge and experience in creating magical and enchanting miniature landscapes. I have studied various plants suitable for fairy gardens and have personally cultivated these gardens to create a small wonderland. My expertise in this topic allows me to provide you with valuable information on the best plants for fairy gardens.
Plants for Fairy Gardens
Fairy gardens are a delightful way to add light and magic to your outdoor space. When choosing plants for your fairy garden, it's important to consider their size, colors, and ability to create a whimsical atmosphere. Here are some of the best plants for fairy gardens:
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Succulents: Succulents are excellent choices for fairy gardens due to their diverse shapes, colors, and textures. They require minimal watering and remain small, making them ideal for complementing other plants in your fairy garden.
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String of Buttons: Also known as crassula perforata, this succulent resembles buttons stacked on top of each other. It can grow tall, creating a charming "button forest" in your fairy garden. Trimming is necessary to prevent it from overshadowing other plants.
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Crassula Springtime: This stunning succulent features petals that resemble mini scoops and bursts into vibrant colors during the spring and summer. Its pink flowers attract bees and butterflies, adding life and beauty to your fairy garden.
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Echeveria Doris Taylor: This small cactus forms a pretty rose shape and produces tall flower stalks with brilliant orange blooms in the spring. Its magical transformation adds whimsy to any container garden.
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Ruby Necklace: This cascading succulent with purple and red beany leaves is perfect for flowing over the sides of containers or steps. It produces beautiful yellow flowers throughout the year, adding a touch of enchantment to your fairy garden.
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String of Pearls: This cascading succulent features green leaves shaped like pearls hanging along a central stem. It blooms in the middle to end of summer, and its white flowers emit a cinnamon-like aroma. It can be placed to hang over the pot or act as a green waterfall in the center of your fairy garden .
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Coleus: This versatile plant comes in various colors, from light green and pink to deep, dark red. It adds a textural element to your fairy garden, and the Black Dragon species, with its dark bumpy leaves, is perfect for a spooky theme.
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Mini Oakleaf Creeping Fig: This plant thrives in shady or moist areas and can be used to provide cover for hidden treasures in your fairy garden. It adds a touch of mystery and intrigue to the landscape.
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Asparagus Ferns: These ferns act as miniature trees in your fairy garden, with bright yellow-green leaves that create a vibrant contrast when mixed with dark red stalks and other dark plants. They are best suited for indoor fairy gardens.
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Dwarf Arrowhead Plant: This leafy plant is perfect for tucking a fairy or gnome under. It requires higher maintenance and prefers tropical conditions, making it suitable for indoor fairy gardens.
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Golden Creeping Speedwell: This vining plant works well for covering larger areas of the pot and softening the look of your fairy garden. It thrives in dry conditions once established and grows to a height of three inches.
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Fuchsia Begonia: This tiny plant resembles a fuchsia plant but is actually a miniature begonia. Its deep red stems and earthy green leaves add variety and texture to your fairy garden. It prefers sunbathing in the mornings and avoiding the heat of the day.
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Elfin Thyme: No fairy garden is complete without a plant with tiny leaves, and Elfin thyme fits the bill perfectly. It provides fantastic cover and bursts into tiny dark pink blossoms in the spring. It grows well in outdoor containers.
These are just a few examples of the best plants for fairy gardens. Remember to choose plants that are small in size, have small leaves or flowers, and offer vibrant colors to create a magical atmosphere in your fairy garden.
I hope this information helps you create a beautiful and enchanting fairy garden!
