Fairy gardening is an awesome hobby! Sweet little fairies and houses look adorable nestled amongst flowers and greenery in your garden. But it’s hard to know how to begin choosing the best plants for fairy gardens. After all, you don’t want fairy garden plants that are too big, or you’ll hide your fairies and cute little accessories you’ve chosen.
When it comes to setting up and creating a fairy garden, I think that the more natural, the better. I’ve created my own fairy houses because I like the rustic “built by fairies” look that they invoke. Of course, there’s nothing wrong with buying your fairy houses, especially if you’re new to fairy gardening.
I would select around 3-5 plants per house. Start with ground cover, then add a flowering plant and tuck in some greenery. You can go with several of the same types of plants—like cacti, succulents, or mosses, but a combination is beautiful too. I personally like to put taller plants around my fairy dwellings when possible, especially if the garden is in a container. I like the “cozy” feeling that having the houses nestled in the plants creates. I also like to add an “unusual” plant or two, because (as you can see pictured above, in this washtub fairy garden) there’s something magical about spiral grass and puffy brightly colored celosia! Then I add ground cover plants and shorter plants around the garden.
Ground Cover Plants for Fairy Gardens
Perhaps the most charming part of Sagina Subulata Aurea, or Scotch Moss, is that it grows tiny white flowers that are absolutely perfect for fairy gardens. This moss looks exactly like a miniature grassy field. Purchase this moss in patches and keep it in shady areas.
Some people use varieties of Moneywort in ponds and aquariums. This trailing plant creeps along the ground and spills over the edge of baskets and rocks. Golden Moneywort is an excellent option for fairy gardens that are in a raised bed or container. It’s easy to grow and care for. Purchase small pots, and it will quickly spread.