How To Design A Tabletop Garden

Plants create a natural and lively accent to any patio or balcony tabletop. One way to decorate with plants is to create tabletop gardens. A tabletop garden can be as simple as a few plants placed on a picnic table or as elaborate and an entire table full of vegetation. Tabletop gardens take up little space and are easy to maintain.

Growing Plants On A Table Top

The easiest way to get started on a tabletop garden is to start with a few small plants in some decorative pots. These potted plants can be arranged on a dining room table, a coffee table or a side table. Other decorations, such as sculptures or framed photographs, can accompany the potted plants and create added depth and contrast.
Containers for a tabletop garden should fit the table’s décor, have drainage holes and be placed in a reservoir or tray to keep the table clean of water and dirt. Plants that will be placed on a dining table or picnic table should be low and not block the view across the table and prevent people from seeing each other. Plants for an end table can be taller to add a dramatic, bookend effect.
Plants for a tabletop garden should be slow growing to reduce plant care and to extend the life of the tabletop arrangement. As with all plants, plants used in a tabletop garden need a quality potting soil, sunlight and water. Before purchasing plants for a tabletop garden, make sure that the plant will thrive under the intended conditions.
Here are a few ideas for small tabletop gardens:

• Plant a flat of an attractive groundcover, such as iceplant or ajuga, in a shallow dish. As the groundcover grows beyond the edges of the container, it can be pruned, or allowed to spill over for a water-like effect.
• Slow growing and drought tolerant succulents make excellent tabletop gardens. Sedums, cacti and sempervivums add variety and color to a tabletop.
• Orchids add an exotic touch to any living area. Other flowering tropical plants, such as anthuriums and bromeliads, can be arranged in decorative containers.
• Aquarium pebbles or moss placed on top of the soil as a decoration will keep the potting soil from escaping from the flowerpot.

Kitchen Herb Gardens

Tabletop gardens can be fun and functional. There are a variety of herbs that will grow in small containers. Potted herbs are not only attractive; they are readily available when it’s time to add a little flavor or a garnish to a culinary dish.
The list of herbs that can be grown on a tabletop and in small containers is long. The choice of herbs can match the tastes or style of the family cook. Here are a few suggestions:

• Grow oregano, parsley, basil and rosemary for an Italian flair.
• Mints, lemon balm and chamomile can be brewed into a relaxing cup of tea.
• Chives have a grassy look and taste great on baked potatoes.

Dish Gardens And Terrariums

Dish gardens and terrariums are an interesting way to create a living flower arrangement. These compact arrangements of plants contain a number of plants of differing heights, various textures and assorted colors.
Dish gardens are planted in shallow bowls with drainage holes. Because of there is limited space, plants for a dish garden should have a small root ball and be slow growing. All of the plants in the dish garden should have identical growing conditions.
Terrariums are extremely easy to grow, especially closed terrariums. Terrariums are small, self-enclosed ecosystems that recycle moisture. Fish bowls, jars and other clear glass or plastic containers can be converted into a terrarium. Plants that grow well in terrariums include:

• Ferns
• Mosses
• Bromeliads
• Ivy

Table Top Water Gardens

A unique way to decorate a tabletop is with a water garden. A water garden may be as simple as a small fountain paired with a dwarf cane plant or dracaena plant. Or, a water garden may be a collection of water grasses and flowering lotus plants.
Use these tips when creating a tabletop water garden:

• Use any type of container that is at least 6 inches deep and holds water. There should not be any holes where water may leak out. Stone, pottery and cement containers should be glazed on the inside to make them waterproof.
• Fill the bottom of the container with pebbles or gravel. This material helps seat and level plants that will be arranged in the container.
• Water hyacinths, dwarf papyrus, taro, water lettuce, curly mint and Siberian iris work well in tabletop water gardens.

Raised Garden Beds

The ultimate setup for a tabletop garden is the raised garden bed. A raised garden bed is simply a shallow box placed on top of a table or a couple of saw horses. These raised beds are usually 6 to 8 inches deep, just wide enough so that it is easy to reach across the box and as long as desired or as space allows.
These raised beds are the perfect garden solution for those who find it difficult to work in the yard, have mobility issues or have a limited amount of space in which to grow vegetables and herbs.
Raised garden beds are commonly used to grow vegetables, but a variety of plants may be grown. Raised garden beds are a great solution for growing salad greens, herbs, peppers, carrots, green onions and a host of other vegetables.
Tabletop gardens are the perfect way to bring nature to a patio or balcony. Tabletop gardens can be designed to fit any décor and the selection of suitable plants is endless. By choosing decorative pots and plants that will thrive in the intended conditions, a table top garden will last for years and bring never-ending enjoyment.