Growing a Collection of Miniature Plants

Growing a Collection of Miniature Plants

Florence Blum Writes on Miniature Gardening accessories and Fairy garden plants.

Do you have a favorite miniature plant? It is a hard question, I know. It is especially difficult to choose a favorite miniature plant if you, like me, have a large (and evergrowing) collection of fairy garden plants. Is it the Bonsai tree that arches over the neighborhood of fairy houses? Is it the colorful cactus, the delicate flowers, or maybe even the groundcover plant you never thought would flourish?

This year, I have been thinking about what it means to have a “favorite” miniature plant, especially after reading Tiny Plants by Leslie F. Halleck, an exploration of miniature gardening. Halleck does not just offer a step-by-step guide to planting one or two tiny houseplants. Instead, she imagines a vibrant home full of succulents, miniature trees, foliage, blossoms, and all the small plants you could possibly imagine. In fact, she does not just imagine this world. She makes it happen! From the first pages, she invites you inside for a closer look at her enormous collection of miniature plants.

One of the best features of miniature plants is their diminutive size. Tiny plants allow room for more, and more…and more! As my collection has grown, it has often been tricky to figure out just where to put all of my plants. But Halleck, in her new book, offers a guide to the intentional placement of miniature plants in the home. Here are just a few of my favorite tips from the book. For a deep dive, be sure to pick up a copy wherever books are sold.

1) Caring for Tiny Plants As a Certified Professional Horticulturist, Halleck does not just know which plants should join the collection. She knows how to care for them, too! In her new book, Halleck takes readers on a crash course in miniature plant care, covering everything from growing media and managing water to propagation and miniature plant displays.

2) Light Levels One of the most helpful hints Halleck includes in her book is that gardeners pay close attention to light levels. That new plant, tucked away in a corner, will not thrive! On the other hand, if it is not a light-loving miniature garden plant, it might not enjoy the bright windowsill, either. Be sure to read up on the light levels your fairy garden plants need.

Grower lights are a great option if you live in an apartment, or if the interior light levels are not quite ideal.

3) Aquatic Plants Sure, I may have reached my limit when it comes to window boxes and traditional planters. My house cannot hold another one! But that does not mean I need to stop collecting miniature plants. In her book, Halleck highlights a whole new world of miniature plants that I had never before considered: aquatic plants. These water-loving beauties can be floated in glass vessels, making them a fun addition to the countertop, dining room table, or bookshelf.

4) Carnivores and More If you want to grow your miniature plant collection, especially indoors, you will want to check out Halleck’s thorough guide. I was surprised by all of the plants I do not yet have, and even discovered some that were brand new to me. Sure, I have grown dozens of succulents and cactuses. But carnivorous plants, “sensitive” plants, and semi-aquatic plants are all game-changers for my collection.

I hope Tiny Plants by Leslie Halleck can be a welcome gift for your growing collection of miniature plants. Happy Gardening!

Miniature Gardening offers fairy houses, accessories, fairies, furniture to create enchanting miniature landscapes for containers or your yard. Story telling and imaginary fairy garden from 'Miniature Gardening' bring the playful kid out in all of us. Filled with intrigue and mystique each little miniature garden scene you create is a snapshot of such a dream.

Thank you for spending your precious time in reading this article!