How To Make A Stylish Indoor Dish Garden: A Step-By-Step Guide

June 19, 2024
General

It’s a wonderful way to bring some greenery indoors. These little gardens are simple to put up and need little upkeep. They can also be customised to fit into any décor style. With the right choice of plants and nursery pots, you can create an attractive and vibrant dish garden. This guide will show you how to create an indoor dish garden, from the selection of the plants up to the final touches.

What Is A Dish Garden?

A shallow container is used to hold a collection of plants. The plants are typically grown indoors. This is a great option for smaller spaces. Dish garden plants can include succulents as well as ferns, small flowering and cacti. For a dish garden to be successful, you need to select plants with similar requirements.

The Step-By-Step Guide For Making A Stylish Dish Garden

  1. The Right Nursery Containers

The first step in creating your dish gardens is choosing the right nursery containers. Nursery containers are made of different materials and come in different shapes and sizes. You will need to use a shallow, wide container to accommodate many plants. Popular materials for dish gardens include:

  • Ceramic: offers a stylish, decorative look. Available in various colours.
  • Glaze: Provides an elegant, clean, and modern look. Ideal for Terrariums.
  • Material Plastic: Lightweight, affordable and available in various styles.

Check that your container contains drainage holes. If not, waterlogging could lead to root decay.

  1. Selecting Plants

When choosing plants to add to your dish garden, you should consider the plant’s size, growth rates, and maintenance requirements. Some popular choices for indoor dish gardens include:

  • Ferns: Prefer humid and indirect light.
  • Tropical Miniatures: Fittonias and peperomias, for example, add colour.

Choose plants with complementary colours and sizes that fit in your nursery container.

  1. Gathering Materials

The following materials are required to create a dish garden.

  • Nursery container with drainage openings
  • The potting mix is suitable for your chosen plants.
  • Stones or pebbles used for drainage, aesthetics and decorative purposes
  • Small gardening implements or a small spoon for planting
  • You can also add miniature figurines or decorative sand for extra style.
  1. Preparing Container

Put a layer of decorative pebbles or stones at the bottom of your nursery container. This layer prevents soil from blocking drainage holes and helps to drain the container. If the container you are using does not have drainage holes, place a thin layer on top of the soil and be careful to water.

  1. Potting Mix

Fill up the container with the potting mix. Your choice of plants will determine the type of potting mixture you need. The type of potting mix you choose will depend on the plants that you’ve chosen.

  1. Arranging Plants

Arrange the largest plants first. This will be your focal point. Then, add the smaller plants around it. Consider the height, colour, and texture to create a pleasing arrangement. Dig holes using a spoon or small garden tools. Plant each plant, gently pressing the soil around the root to secure it in place.

  1. Caring for Your Dish Garden

It is important to keep your dish garden healthy. Here are some tips on general care:

  • Watering: Water according to your plants’ needs. Succulents need less watering than cacti or tropical plants. It is important to allow the soil to dry completely between watering. This will prevent root rot.
  • Light: Make sure your dish garden is in a place that has the proper lighting for your plants. Most succulents and cacti thrive with bright, indirect sunlight, while ferns, tropical plants, and other low-lighting plants are also suitable.
  • Increased humidity: Certain plants, like the fern, benefit from higher humidity. If you live in a dry environment, try misting the dish garden now and then or placing it near a humidity tray.
  • Pruning: Cut back any dead or browning leaves in order to keep your garden looking healthy.

Conclusion

It’s a great way to bring nature indoors. By carefully selecting nursery containers, materials, and plants, you can create an original and vibrant mini garden that fits your style. With the right care, a dish garden can flourish, bringing a touch of tranquility and greenery into your indoor area.

Whether you’re an expert or a beginner, you can enjoy gardening benefits in a compact form. Happy planting.