What is in a Fairy Garden Anyway?
Table of Contents
What is in a Fairy Garden?
Have you ever heard of a fairy garden? Are you wondering what they are and what is in a fairy garden exactly? In essence what’s in a fairy garden is a miniature garden space complete with living plants (usually) and other fairy features I will describe below.
Fairy gardens are really fun to create and with these tips surely you will lure some fairies to your garden space as well! I still remember when I first heard of fairy gardens and as someone who already loved gardening I thought, “Tiny little gardens, what a crazy and wonderful idea!”
Every fairy garden is unique but each one usually has the following basic staples;
Soil, plants, ground cover, and ornaments!
It seems simple, however the combinations of these four components are limitless!
Once you have these basics, your fairy garden is off to a great start! You can always add more elegant details later. There are many fairy legends from all over the world. In general fairies are good luck and are said to be drawn to spaces that have been lovingly arranged just for them.
So let’s get started and learn about our first component:
Soil
First on the list is the soil. When it comes to soil, keep it simple! Unless you want to use a particularly finicky plant like orchids or indoor azaleas, basic potting soil will do fine for most projects.
I prefer organic potting soil that does not have any harmful chemicals in it for several reasons. (The main one is that I have small children.)
Helping to set up the fairy garden can be a fun way to introduce children to plants and gardening in general! Children, for the most part, are already drawn to nature. The wonder of the world around them has not yet lost it’s allure. With this in mind, you can set up the garden project on a tabletop, so you can both be on the same level. This is a great way to show them how to connect with the natural world around them.
This also means however, that since this will potentially be a relatively easily accessible miniature garden, the likelihood of a mouthful of fairy garden dirt being unexpectedly and quickly ingested out of curiosity might be higher. (We have not yet experienced anything of the like… yet, but just in case.)
Whatever basic indoor potting soil you prefer to use will surely get the job done. You also want to consider the drainage of your fairy garden. If you water your garden too much, consequently the roots can get water-logged and start to rot and die -which is no fun.
Putting a small layer of rocks on the bottom of your planter or pot will help a lot. Then the soil on top of that and you are good to go! Now at this point your fairy garden is ready for some greenery!
Plants 
Secondly, your fairy garden needs plants. Fairies love nature, and that means plants! Of course you don’t need to have the best or most exotic plants in your fairy garden. Just make it a growing, thriving space for a fairy to call home, or vacation spot!
Which plants will you put in your very own fairy garden? The first thing I consider when selecting plants is the level of maintenance, then secondly the appearance.
If you want a easily maintained garden, but install a high maintenance plant, you will end up with a stagnant or dying garden. Plant selection is a thing one should put just a bit of forethought into.
(For the purposes of this article and ease of reference, I will be using the common names for plants.)
Low maintenance plants
Devil’s Ivy/Pothos (Probably the easiest of all!)
Taller plants for a little dimension and height variety:
Vipers Bowstring Hemp
ZZ plant
For those that want to try a flowering fairy garden:
Begonias
African Violets
Medium maintenance plants
(Keep these out of direct sunlight.)
Asparagus fern
Peperomia
(Let the soil dry out completely before watering again.)
Succulents
English Ivy
Heartleaf Philodendron
Flowering plants that have specific needs:
Christmas cactus
Desert Rose
High maintenance plants
Appealing color from foliage:
Zebra plant
Croton
Wandering Jew
Full foliage plants, these can be a bit finicky:
Boston fern
China doll plant
Whichever plants you choose to place in your fairy garden, the basic space, light, humidity/moisture and pruning requirements must be remembered to ensure a well tended and flourishing oasis.
Ideally the plants that are taller will be in back, with low ground covering plants in front. If you have any ivy you want to place, try to put it near the edge to allow for it to drape over the side.
Ground Cover
You’ve got your foundation for healthy growth in your soil, and your plants in place… now what?
The third item is Ground cover! Fairy garden ground cover is a category that can be widely varied, in fact you can create anything, from a rocky outcrop to a lush jungle!
You can use things like grass cut from sod or a well maintained lawn for larger installations, a patch of moss or clover, or some larger ground cover plants like mini
stone crop or green baby tears to fill in small spaces. You could also use stones, pebbles, or sand.
Use a variety! Using moss on two sides with sand or pebbles placed in between is the perfect way to create a fairy garden path!
Ornaments
Finding Ornaments
The last item on the list is ornaments! When it comes to furnishing your tiny magical 
creature’s living space, don’t feel bound by any convention or particular idea… unless you’ve got something specific in mind of course.
You have the ability to be spontaneous and creative using things you go out and find in your very own backyard or park! Or you can order entire setups online that include everything you need, maybe just a particular figurine you have your eye on.
Items made from nature are sometimes harder to plan out, because you have to go with what you find or what’s available to you.
In today’s online marketplace you can find others who might just have that crescent shaped rock you’ve been looking for to use as a cave for that fluorite carved bear figurine in your next fairy garden project.
Some people prefer to just go out on a gathering adventure to your local creek and see what strikes their fancy.
Think tiny! For example someone looking to create a fairy garden project and looking around the yard might have the following realization.
“Those smaller acorn tops all over the ground sure do look like stepping stones. And those pine cones look like little brown trees that would contrast nicely against the green of that ivy!”
For example, items found around your home or
office can also add a nice touch to the space and show off your creative fortitude in a forest of cubicles. Likewise with bottle caps, buttons, pencils, paper clips, earrings, candle holders, dishes, and the list goes on and on.
Surprisingly, just about anything can be used if it’s small enough and you have a vision for it.
Buying Ornaments
Sets and figurines are available in specialty stores, arts and craft suppliers, and- of course- online! If you want everything you’ll need for a particular theme in one go, there’s a plethora of options online.
Even if you are looking
for a general type of figurine or statuette, your resources online are seemingly endless.
Etsy, eBay and particularly Amazon are the top three in the online retail fairy garden arena for many. There are many others out there that have exactly what you’re looking for.
What is in a Fairy Garden? Whatever You Want! – Let Your Inspiration Guide You!
The fairies aren’t the only ones who benefit from creating these fairy gardens. Similarly, you get a lot out of it too! Joy that comes from working with the earth, satisfaction of the creative process, and contentment from doing something for someone else. (A very tiny someone!)
To summarize, all of the components above are brought together by the process of creating your own fairy garden. Not to mention that they are really cute and fun to make! Are you ready to create your own fairy garden paradise?
Now that you know exactly what is in a fairy garden, you have everything you need to start planning out your own little escape for our winged friends, get going! Maybe you will feel inspired and throw one together using what you’ve got right now!
Do you need some more ideas to get started? Check out our Top 10 Gardening Ideas for Fairy Gardens!
What is in a Fairy Garden Conclusion
I hope you have the best time and I can’t wait to see what you come up with! Do you still have questions about what’s in fairy gardens? Please share your questions, pictures and stories about your very own fairy garden with me by sending an email to randi@fairycirclegarden.com or posting it to our Social media pages!!
If you enjoyed this article, please share it on your favorite social media platform in order to help us grow! <<< (lol, see what I did there?) ? Also feel free to leave a comment below with any questions or tips for our Fairy Circle Garden community. We answer every comment!
Gratefully,
Randi
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Hi Randi
What an interesting idea! All my creativity came to the fore. I was searching for some garden equipment when I came across this, your article and boy or boy, did I enjoy reading this? You bet!
I have never heard of a fairy garden and I think it’s a woderul idea. I will create one with my daughter and I know she will love it.
I like orchids but you just said they are finicky so there you go, I will have to drop them. Anyway the space is for fairies and not me. Lol! I can’t wait to start!
I will share my picture when I’m done. Your information is clear. I will choose from the low maintance list, that way the little girl can enjoy looking after the garden.
Thank you for this article – you just made my day!
MidSumme
MidSummer,
I’m so glad you enjoyed it! My kids love to check the fairy garden to see what the mischievous fair folk have been up to and watering the garden is one of their favorite chores! Orchids can be a bit touchy, so maybe set them as a goal for a future “grown-ups” garden. lol
I would love to see what you and your daughter come up with in creating your own unique fairy garden! I’ve found that my kids see things in a way I never would have thought of in accessorizing their local fairy hang-out.
Thank you!
-Randi-
Your comment made my day! ?
Hi, Randi! What a beautiful post, I had never thought about that and was looking for plants to put on my balcony in Italy. After reading your magic ideas I will create a little fairy tale balcony. I just hope my cats agree and don’t eat the magic lol.
Have you ever heard of anything to put off the animals from playing around with the beautiful decoration?
Thank you so much for this inspirational article and the lovely creative images,
Thanks in advance for your answer,
Janie
Janie,
That is a WONDERFUL idea! Feel free to send a picture of your fairy tale balcony so we can enjoy it as well!
I am actually working on an article right now that will address your pets and plant paradise coexisting peacefully! Cats are magical themselves so we just have to make sure they find peaceful respite from the fairy garden, instead of a playground to pillage! I am so glad you enjoyed the article and images!
-Randi-
Great read
Although I have never heard of garden fairies this article has taught me that and also I think my mom would love reading this article since she is a garden fanatic who is always been creative in the garden.
So I have to show her.
I’m glad you were able to learn about the coveted garden fairy! I would love to see what your mom comes up with! Please send a picture so we can all share in her fanatical garden creativity together! lol
Those of us who dabble with our green thumbs love to see what everyone else is doing too!
Thank you!
Randy – This was a super informative article about fairy gardens, thanks for sharing all your knowledge. I gravitated specifically toward the list of plants that are low maintenance as I do not seem to have the green thumb for keeping things alive.
This is a really cool concept – I know my cousins in Ireland have fairy doors in their bedrooms to bring them fairies and luck and such things similar to this. I think a fairy garden could be an even more fun way to get the kids outside if they were already interested in the fairies.
Molly,
I feel like a lot of people get discouraged from gardening after a few failed attempts at keeping a houseplant or two alive. That makes me sad because a lot of times it’s not due to the person not being able to tend the plant, but because the type of plant has specific needs that they are not aware of. Not every one has the time nor inclination to do a bunch of research, but if they see a list of easily maintained plants, they are more likely to try one of the “beginner” plants to wet their toes with if you will. This success often leads to building confidence and that confidence can often cast a green tinge on thumbs once perceived as strictly brown.
I would love to see those fairy doors! Shoot them a link to this article and ask them to comment and share a couple pictures!
My kids love to check on the fairy garden with me! Not only do you have the option to make the watering the garden a fun activity, but you can even add to it, asking things like, “Do you think the fairy will like this new acorn top walkway?” (Pro tip: toothpicks make great fairy foot prints.) 😉
Thank you so much and have a great day!
This is an awesome idea. My mom & dad love gardening has they’re going to love this post too! Thanks for sharing this. I’m not a much of a gardener myself, but my parents enjoy it and I can see how they could benefit from your site. Thanks again!
I am so glad you like it! I would love to connect with them! Thank you!
Wow! I’ll have to show my mother this article. She has a beautiful garden in the back of her home. I know she would love to know about fairy gardens. This will peak her interests. Thanks for this!!!
Thank you, I appreciate that! I hope she enjoys the article and I’d love to hear from her. She is more than welcome to post pictures from her garden and share her experience so we can grow together as a community!
Hey,
This is an interesting post! I never actually had such imagination to create something like this, but when I landed on this page out of curiosity, I was surprised that it is all about learning and then doing! I always wanted to make my garden look alive kind of thing! With this idea to create a fairy garden which I will try! it is going to be an amazing thing to try!
But, I am having a problem getting good soil. When I searched on Amazon, I found so many types with different components. So, I wanted to ask you what your suggestions are?
I am so glad you enjoyed the site! I recommend going to or contacting a local nursery to get more information on the specifics of what kind of soil would be best for you. If you are looking for soil that will nurture your garden that will be made up of mostly local plant life, talking to local growers and gardeners will for sure point you in the right direction. You also want to make sure that whatever kind of plants you will be using that are not local, have the right kind of soil as well. If you are wanting a specific plant, doing a little research on what kind of soil that plant needs will be the best course of action. Let me know if you have any more questions! Thank you!
What a lovely idea! I haven’t considered using fairy ornaments in my garden before. My kids and I created our first vegetable garden last year but I can definitely see how much fun it would be to add a little magic to the setting. Maybe this would motivate them to help more with the hard work, lol!
I am so glad you liked it! How is your vegetable garden looking this year? I think maybe hiding a couple of fairy elements in the garden, then having the kids come help and “find” them would be a really fun way to introduce the concept and get them excited about doing more work! ? Let me know how it goes, and please feel free to send in pictures of your garden too!
My mother has been an avid gardener for her whole adult life, so we always had a garden everywhere I lived growing up, but I had never heard of a fairy garden. I love the concept. I live in an apartment now, and can’t do a garden, but when I have my own house this sounds like something that I could really enjoy doing.
You don’t have to wait, that’s what is so great about these magical spots. Right now the gardening season has just started in most places and you can find fairy garden accessories lots of places out and about. Throw a couple in a potted plant and, BAM! Your very own fairy garden paradise now accepting applications. ? Happy Gardening!
I received a couple of plants that are low maintenance as a give from my daughter and I love those small plants but I don’t have the green thumb for keeping things alive. She gave me 3 small house plants and they are all gone because I forget to water them.
This was an informative article about fairy gardens, thanks for sharing all your knowledge with us.
Lyne
A great starter tip for keeping low maintenance plants alive when you’ve been unsuccessful in the past is to put them near a sink. When you wash your hands, look at the plant to see if it is looking wilted/thirsty. It will be easy to just scoop a bit of water in the plant without having to change your current activity. Let me know if that helps next time. 🙂
I love how you’ve broken down the entire process into easy to understand steps. I love your fairy garden idea and know that I’ll be trying it very soon alongside my baby brother.
He’s going to love it, plus it’s going to be time well-spent for me because I love spending time with the little fellow. 🙂
Fairy gardens are a GREAT activity for kids! Just keep an eye on their seemingly irresistible urge to give things a taste test. lol
I’d love to see what y’all come up wtih. Good luck!
Hey,
This is such a lovely article. I live in a building that has a huge garden and there are two ladies who love to do the gardening a few times a week. They will absolutely love your article and I think they would get some amazing ideas from it. So, I am going to forward your article onto them and I will encourage them to comment and engage.
If they have any questions or issues they should get in touch, if that is OK with you?
Thank you for sharing and keep up the great work.
All the best,
Tom
Of course! I would love to see what they’ve done so far and any fairy garden nooks they decide to add as well! Thank you for the share. They can always comment on one of my pages or email me directly at randi@fairycirclegarden.com
I look forward to hearing from them, and thank you again.