Our Favorite Tiny Plants for Miniature Landscaping (2024)

Table of Contents
'Christmas Tree' Joseph's Coat 'Sparkler' Mondo Grass Dwarf Lady Fern Dwarf Sweet Flag Bugleweed Brass Buttons Ivy Super Star Creeper Miniature Moneywort Tiny Boston Fern Tree of a Thousand Stars Dwarf Betony Dwarf Heron's Bill Blue Moneywort E.T. Fingers (Shrek Plant) Cretan Oregano Wintercreeper Tiny Golden Yarrow Thrift Heart Fern Philodendron Variegated Weeping Fig Weeping Fig Wax Privet Autumn Fern Victorian Parlor Palm Insights, advice, suggestions, feedback and comments from experts References

Scale is everything in miniature gardens. Here are some of the best choices for fairy gardens, terrariums, and other petite plantings.

01of 26

'Christmas Tree' Joseph's Coat

Our Favorite Tiny Plants for Miniature Landscaping (1)

This petite, conical plant displays densely clustered foliage and doesn't need regular pinching to stay small. Preferring moist soil, this miniature garden plant will tolerate some shade.

Name: Alternanthera 'Christmas Tree'

Light: Sun

Zones: 9-10

02of 26

'Sparkler' Mondo Grass

Our Favorite Tiny Plants for Miniature Landscaping (2)

Also known as mondo grass, this little plant creates the look of fountain grass in miniature landscapes. Tiny white flowers are held high on the plant, followed by blue berries.

Name: Ophiopogon chingii 'Sparkler'

Light: Shade/Sun

Zones: 5-9

03of 26

Dwarf Lady Fern

Our Favorite Tiny Plants for Miniature Landscaping (3)

In moist soil, this pretty, soft-leaf fern can tolerate a bit of morning sun. When grown in a terrarium, you might need to clip out oldest stems to keep it down to size.

Name: Athyrium filix-femina 'Minutissimum'

Light: Shade

Zones: 3-8

04of 26

Dwarf Sweet Flag

Our Favorite Tiny Plants for Miniature Landscaping (4)

This plant loves moist soil and can even grow in standing water, where it will tolerate bright sun. Try these miniature plants for terrarium or in rich, moist soil outdoors.

Name: Acorus gramineus 'Himenasumene'

Light: Shade/Sun

Zones: 5-9

05of 26

Bugleweed

Our Favorite Tiny Plants for Miniature Landscaping (5)

Every spring this leafy groundcover sends up bloom stalks covered in deep-blue flowers. This miniature landscaping plant goes dormant in cold-winter climates.

Name: Ajuga reptans 'Multicolor'

Light: Shade

Zones: 4-10

06of 26

Brass Buttons

Our Favorite Tiny Plants for Miniature Landscaping (6)

Brass buttons—picking up its name by the tiny, yellowish, buttonlike flowers it blooms in spring—looks like a meadow of tiny ferns.

Name: Leptinella squalida 'Platt's Black'

Light: Sun/Partial Shade

Zones: 4-9

07of 26

Ivy

This tiny ivy loves bright shade and can be trained up miniature trellises. Allow the soil to become almost dry, then water generously. Keep an eye out for spider mites.

Name: Hedera helix 'Feenfinger'

Light: Shade

Zones: 5-11

08of 26

Super Star Creeper

Our Favorite Tiny Plants for Miniature Landscaping (8)

Tiny white flowers seem to float above the leaves of this creeping groundcover, which loves moist soil. Remaining only 2-3 inches tall, one plant can grow to 12 inches wide.

Name: Pratia puberula 'Alba'

Light: Sun/Partial Shade

Zones: 6-10

09of 26

Miniature Moneywort

Our Favorite Tiny Plants for Miniature Landscaping (9)

A very hardy groundcover, moneywort remains evergreen through the winter. Great for topping bonsai containers or among stepping-stones, it grows only 1 inch tall.

Name: Lysimachia japonica 'Minutissima'

Light: Shade

Zones: 3-8

10of 26

Tiny Boston Fern

Our Favorite Tiny Plants for Miniature Landscaping (10)

This fern remains very small, growing only about 2 inches tall. When miniature gardening, do not allow it to dry completely, and fertilize sparingly. It performs well in terrariums.

Name: Nephrolepis 'Mini Russells'

Light: Shade

Zones: 9-11

11of 26

Tree of a Thousand Stars

Our Favorite Tiny Plants for Miniature Landscaping (11)

A diminutive woody shrub, Serissa responds well to pruning and shaping, making it a popular blooming choice for bonsai. It prefers evenly moist soil, but don't overwater.

Name: Serissa japonica 'Flore Pleno'

Light: Sun

Zones: 8-10

12of 26

Dwarf Betony

Our Favorite Tiny Plants for Miniature Landscaping (12)

Growing only 3 to 6 inches tall, this pretty little plant produces globe-shape clusters of pink flowers. It prefers well-drained soil and is generally a trouble-free miniature garden plant.

Name: Stachys officinalis 'Nana'

Light: Sun

Zones: 3-8

13of 26

Dwarf Heron's Bill

Our Favorite Tiny Plants for Miniature Landscaping (13)

Soft, heart-shape leaves form a little mound growing only 2-4 inches tall. It often blooms all summer long with double pink flowers. This tiny plant grows best in outdoor containers or beds.

Name: Erodium x variabile 'Flore Pleno'

Light: Sun

Zones: 5-9

14of 26

Blue Moneywort

Our Favorite Tiny Plants for Miniature Landscaping (14)

This charming little creeper with bright green leaves and tiny blue flowers requires a well-drained site⁠—overwatering will kill it. Blue moneywort looks great tumbling over the edge of a container.

Name: Lindernia grandiflora

Light: Sun

Zones: 7-10

15of 26

E.T. Fingers (Shrek Plant)

Our Favorite Tiny Plants for Miniature Landscaping (15)

A narrow band of red edges the fingerlike leaves of this succulent, earning it the nicknames of Shrek Plant or E.T. Fingers. It's suitable for miniature gardens because the leaves stay small. Good drainage is a must for this plant, as is good air circulation.

Name: Crassula x portulacea 'Baby Jade'

Light: Sun

Zones: 9-11

16of 26

Cretan Oregano

Our Favorite Tiny Plants for Miniature Landscaping (16)

Cretan oregano has little aromatic leaves and tiny purple flowers. Shape it into a small shrub or treelike form for miniature gardens in dry, sunny plantings.

Name: Origanum microphyllum

Light: Sun

Zones: 8-9

17of 26

Wintercreeper

Our Favorite Tiny Plants for Miniature Landscaping (17)

A very low-growing groundcover with small leaves, wintercreeper looks lovely draping the edge of a miniature garden or climbing a little trellis. Take care not to overwater it.

Name: Euonymus fortunei 'Kewensis'

Light: Sun

Zones: 5-8

18of 26

Tiny Golden Yarrow

Our Favorite Tiny Plants for Miniature Landscaping (18)

Ferny foliage grows to about 2 inches tall and blooms in summer with stems of tiny yellow flowers. Like taller yarrows, it prefers sun and good drainage.

Name: Achillea sp. Ex Utah

Light: Sun

Zones: 5-8

19of 26

Thrift

Our Favorite Tiny Plants for Miniature Landscaping (19)

Sweet little pink balls of flowers form a cloud above a cushion of narrow leaves when this plant is in bloom. Very good drainage and full sun is a must for thrift.

Name: Armeria juniperifolia 'Bevan's Variety'

Light: Sun

Zones: 4-9

20of 26

Heart Fern

Our Favorite Tiny Plants for Miniature Landscaping (20)

This unusual-looking dwarf fern is perfect for terrariums or Wardian cases because it loves humidity and bright, indirect light. Don't allow it to sit in soggy soil.

Name: Hemionitis arifolia

Light: Shade

Zones: 10-12

21of 26

Philodendron

Our Favorite Tiny Plants for Miniature Landscaping (21)

Easy to grow, the bright orange color of its new foliage is stunning. This prince will eventually grow too tall for a miniature garden, but it makes quite a statement when small.

Name: Philodendron 'Prince of Orange'

Light: Shade

Zones: 10-11

22of 26

Variegated Weeping Fig

Our Favorite Tiny Plants for Miniature Landscaping (22)

This variegated form of the popular houseplant can grow into a large tree over time, but it can be pruned and trained as a bonsai as well. Bright, indirect sun is best, but a little direct morning sun is fine.

Name: Ficus benjamina 'Variegata'

Light: Shade

Zones: 10-12

23of 26

Weeping Fig

Our Favorite Tiny Plants for Miniature Landscaping (23)

Grow this pretty tree where it can receive bright indirect light and good air circulation. Perfect for pots, it is often used in bonsai culture.

Name: Ficus benjamina

Light: Shade

Zones: 10-12

24of 26

Wax Privet

Our Favorite Tiny Plants for Miniature Landscaping (24)

Glossy green leaves and a trailing habit make this plant a lovely addition to Wardian cases or terrariums. It loves humidity and bright light but does not tolerate hot sun.

Name: Peperomia glabella

Light: Shade/Sun

Zones: 10-11

25of 26

Autumn Fern

Our Favorite Tiny Plants for Miniature Landscaping (25)

Young fronds are coppery, turning green as they mature. Its preference for humid shade makes autumn fern a colorful candidate for terrariums or shady outdoor plantings.

Name: Dryopteris erythrosora

Light: Shade

Zones: 5-9

26of 26

Victorian Parlor Palm

Our Favorite Tiny Plants for Miniature Landscaping (26)

One of the most popular houseplants you can buy, this palm adapts to varying humidity levels but prefers even moisture. It tolerates a little morning or evening sun.

Name: Chamaedorea elegans 'Bella'

Light: Shade

Zones: 10-12

Insights, advice, suggestions, feedback and comments from experts

As an expert and enthusiast, I have access to a wide range of information and can provide insights on various topics. In this case, I can provide information related to the concepts used in this article about miniature gardens and the best plant choices for them.

The article discusses different plants suitable for miniature gardens, fairy gardens, terrariums, and other petite plantings. It provides information about each plant's characteristics, preferred light conditions, and hardiness zones. Here is a breakdown of the plants mentioned in the article:

'Christmas Tree' Joseph's Coat

  • Name: Alternanthera 'Christmas Tree'
  • Light: Sun
  • Zones: 9-10

'Sparkler' Mondo Grass

  • Name: Ophiopogon chingii 'Sparkler'
  • Light: Shade/Sun
  • Zones: 5-9

Dwarf Lady Fern

  • Name: Athyrium filix-femina 'Minutissimum'
  • Light: Shade
  • Zones: 3-8

Dwarf Sweet Flag

  • Name: Acorus gramineus 'Himenasumene'
  • Light: Shade/Sun
  • Zones: 5-9

Bugleweed

  • Name: Ajuga reptans 'Multicolor'
  • Light: Shade
  • Zones: 4-10

Brass Buttons

  • Name: Leptinella squalida 'Platt's Black'
  • Light: Sun/Partial Shade
  • Zones: 4-9

Ivy

  • Name: Hedera helix 'Feenfinger'
  • Light: Shade
  • Zones: 5-11

Super Star Creeper

  • Name: Pratia puberula 'Alba'
  • Light: Sun/Partial Shade
  • Zones: 6-10

Miniature Moneywort

  • Name: Lysimachia japonica 'Minutissima'
  • Light: Shade
  • Zones: 3-8

Tiny Boston Fern

  • Name: Nephrolepis 'Mini Russells'
  • Light: Shade
  • Zones: 9-11

Tree of a Thousand Stars

  • Name: Serissa japonica 'Flore Pleno'
  • Light: Sun
  • Zones: 8-10

Dwarf Betony

  • Name: Stachys officinalis 'Nana'
  • Light: Sun
  • Zones: 3-8

Dwarf Heron's Bill

  • Name: Erodium x variabile 'Flore Pleno'
  • Light: Sun
  • Zones: 5-9

Blue Moneywort

  • Name: Lindernia grandiflora
  • Light: Sun
  • Zones: 7-10

E.T. Fingers (Shrek Plant)

  • Name: Crassula x portulacea 'Baby Jade'
  • Light: Sun
  • Zones: 9-11

Cretan Oregano

  • Name: Origanum microphyllum
  • Light: Sun
  • Zones: 8-9

Wintercreeper

  • Name: Euonymus fortunei 'Kewensis'
  • Light: Sun
  • Zones: 5-8

Tiny Golden Yarrow

  • Name: Achillea sp. Ex Utah
  • Light: Sun
  • Zones: 5-8

Thrift

  • Name: Armeria juniperifolia 'Bevan's Variety'
  • Light: Sun
  • Zones: 4-9

Heart Fern

  • Name: Hemionitis arifolia
  • Light: Shade
  • Zones: 10-12

Philodendron

  • Name: Philodendron 'Prince of Orange'
  • Light: Shade
  • Zones: 10-11

Variegated Weeping Fig

  • Name: Ficus benjamina 'Variegata'
  • Light: Shade
  • Zones: 10-12

Weeping Fig

  • Name: Ficus benjamina
  • Light: Shade
  • Zones: 10-12

Wax Privet

  • Name: Peperomia glabella
  • Light: Shade/Sun
  • Zones: 10-11

Autumn Fern

  • Name: Dryopteris erythrosora
  • Light: Shade
  • Zones: 5-9

Victorian Parlor Palm

  • Name: Chamaedorea elegans 'Bella'
  • Light: Shade
  • Zones: 10-12

Please note that the information provided above is based on this article, and the plant choices mentioned are suitable for miniature gardens.

Our Favorite Tiny Plants for Miniature Landscaping (2024)

References

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