Scale is everything in miniature gardens. Here are some of the best choices for fairy gardens, terrariums, and other petite plantings.
'Christmas Tree' Joseph's Coat
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
'Sparkler' Mondo Grass
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
Dwarf Lady Fern
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
Dwarf Sweet Flag
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
Bugleweed
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
Brass Buttons
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
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
Super Star Creeper
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
Miniature Moneywort
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
Tiny Boston Fern
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
Tree of a Thousand Stars
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
Dwarf Betony
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
Dwarf Heron's Bill
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
Blue Moneywort
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
E.T. Fingers (Shrek Plant)
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
Cretan Oregano
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
Wintercreeper
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
Tiny Golden Yarrow
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
Thrift
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
Heart Fern
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
Philodendron
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
Variegated Weeping Fig
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
Weeping Fig
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
Wax Privet
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
Autumn Fern
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
Victorian Parlor Palm
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
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