How to Make a Fairy Garden

Learning how to make a fairy garden is a fun way to invite a little whimsy to your outdoor or indoor space. Whether you’re making one for yourself or as a fun spring garden project with kids, they’re easy to put together with just a few simple supplies and plants. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you create your own fairy (or gnome) garden!

Looking for a smaller project? Our sweet little teacup fairy garden may be just what you need!

What is a Fairy Garden?

A fairy garden is a miniature garden featuring small plants, fairy houses, and natural elements like moss and pebbles. Fairy gardens can be built indoors or outdoors, in flower pots, garden beds, or even repurposed containers like wooden boxes or birdbaths. Rooted in folklore, fairy gardens stem from ancient beliefs that tiny fairies lived among nature, bringing luck and magic to those who welcomed them.

I’ve been making fairy homes with my kids for 17 years! From tiny moss-covered mushroom cottages to woodsy gnome hideaways, we’ve used everything from acorn caps and pebbles to miniature figurines to bring our fairy worlds to life. It’s been a wonderful way to nurture creativity, relieve stress, spend quality time together, and bring a little magic to our garden.

In this post, I’m sharing my top tips for how to make a fairy garden, from choosing the best plants to creative ways to display and enjoy it every day!

A garden theme is so fun! Check out our sea-themed teacup fairy garden.

Craft Supplies Needed

Before you begin, gather all the necessary supplies.

• Basket or planter bowl – Pick one large enough for 3 small plants and a fairy house.
• Potting soil – Choose the appropriate soil for your plants.
• Plants – Succulents or terrarium plants work well. Choosing plants is a fun task for kids!
• Fairy house – I purchased mine at Michaels, but there are so many beautiful options here.
• Store-bought miniatures – Tiny mushrooms, animals, gems, marbles, bridges, signs, bird baths, and of course a fairy or a gnome! A great place to look for these is the dollhouse section of your local craft store.
• Natural materials – Sand, pebbles, acorns, bark, rocks, pine cones, twigs, shells—whatever you wish to add!
• Measuring cups – For scooping soil.

Watch the Video Tutorial

Learn how to make your own fairy garden by watching our step-by-step video.

How to Make a Fairy Garden

Creating a fairy garden is a fun and imaginative activity for kids! Follow these step-by-step directions to bring your fairy garden to life!

STEP 1: Pick your fairy garden accessories. Head to your favorite craft or garden store to find miniature decorations for your fairy garden. I selected a mossy basket as my base (small terracotta bowls work well too), along with a tiny gnome, a rustic log home, and two charming red and white mushrooms.

STEP 2: Select your plants. Visit your local nursery to browse a variety of compact plants. Since I wanted to create a woodland scene, I chose Black Rabbit’s Foot Fern, Gold Baby Ivy, and a small Umbrella Plant. These will plants add height, texture, and visual interest to my little garden.

STEP 3: Arrange your plants. Add a layer of potting soil to your container, choosing one that suits your plants. Arrange your plants thoughtfully—placing taller ones toward the back and smaller ones in the front—and don’t forget to gently untangle the roots. Be sure to leave space for fairy homes and decorations!

When you are finished planting, be sure to water!

STEP 4: Add decorations. Place your fairy or gnome home in the garden and arrange decorative elements around it. Position tiny mushrooms, bridges, or other accessories to create a charming scene. Use pebbles, small stepping stones, or sand to design pathways. Twigs, bark, pine cones, or tiny fences are an extra fun touch!

STEP 5: Enjoy your fairy garden! Your garden is complete! Place it in a cozy corner of your home, garden, or patio where you can appreciate it daily. I placed this one in the center of our kitchen table. My kids love how the log house lights up at night!

Best Plants for DIY Fairy Gardens

The best plants for fairy gardens are small, low-maintenance, and fit well in a miniature (or terrarium) setting. Consider the light and water needs of your plants—shade-loving options work well indoors, while sun-loving plants thrive outdoors or near windows. Mixing different heights and textures will give your fairy garden a natural look!

Here are some great options:

• Ground Cover – Irish Moss, Scotch Moss, Creeping Thyme, Chia, Kurapia or other small grasses.
• Flowers – Allysum, Miniature Roses, Pansies, Violas, and Miniature Daises.
• Foliage – Black Rabbit’s Foot Fern, Dwarf Hosta, Ivy, Miniature Umbrella Plant, Spider Plant, Dwarf Mexican Heather, Dwarf Conifers, Baby Tears, Micro Clover, and Baby Pothos.
• Succulents – Sedum, Hens and Chicks, String of Pearls, Elephant Bush, Ice Plant, Echeveria, and Jade Plant.
• Herbs: Rosemary, Thyme, Oregano, Chives, Dwarf Basil, Parsley, and Sage.

Fairy Garden Ideas

Here are some creative ways to take your garden further, including new themes, extra decorations, and fun DIY touches to make it even more magical!

• Add a shallow dish of water for birds and butterflies.
• Make tiny furniture from twigs and bark.
• Use broken pots or recycled materials to create unique fairy structures.
• Plant nectar-rich flowers to attract pollinators.
• Add tiny LED fairy lights!
• Decorate with tiny pumpkins and leaves for fall.
• Place multiple fairy gardens all around your yard for kids to find.
• Invite your child to leave little gifts for their fairy, such as tiny jingle bells or bottle caps.
• Add mini snowflakes and evergreens for winter.
• Use pastel flowers and tiny eggs for spring.
• Craft a fairy door from wood and paint.
• Plant herbs in your fairy garden and keep it in your kitchen.
• Make a LEGO-inspired fairy garden with your kids!
• Make your fairy garden inside a carved pumpkin for Halloween.
• Create an outdoor fairy garden around your mailbox for neighborhood kids to enjoy on walks. 
• Gift a little garden to a friend or family member. They make great gifts for Mother’s Day!

More Garden Crafts for Kids

Looking for more spring garden craft ideas? You may also enjoy:

• How Gnome Homes Encourage Creative Play
• How to Make a Fall Teacup Garden
• Acorn Bells Craft for Fairy Homes
• Haunted Halloween Teacup Garden
• Jolly Christmas Teacup Garden
• Garden Sensory Bin

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