How to Make a DIY Mini Greenhouse

By
Caylin Harris
Caylin Harris
Caylin Harris
Caylin Harris is a crafter, stylist, and writer with over 10 years' experience creating easy DIY projects. She has created craft and DIY projects for The Pioneer Woman magazine and the "Naturally, Danny Seo" TV show on NBC.
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Updated on 03/17/22
Project Overview
  • Total Time: 1 hr
  • Skill Level: Beginner
  • Estimated Cost: $30-40

Not everyone is lucky enough to have the space for an outdoor greenhouse. But you can always bring the outdoors in with a DIY mini greenhouse that's quick and easy to make. This project will give you the aesthetic value of plants without the maintenance. That's because it uses faux plants "potted" in decorative stones in a glass or other container of your choosing.

That way, you won't have to worry about light requirements or watering the plants. And you can use a pretty container and stones without the concern for drainage or soil. You just need to focus on arranging the faux plants in any way you like, and you can rearrange them on a whim, too.

Tip

If you decide to use live plants for this project, make sure they all have similar environmental needs that work with your container. The container either should be waterproof, or you should be able to remove your plants to water them (e.g., keep them in small individual pots). Plus, you'll need to consider how much heat and humidity an enclosed container will trap—and whether your plants can tolerate that.

Inside view of greenhouse
The Spruce / Caylin Harris

What You'll Need

Equipment / Tools

  • Trowel (optional)

Materials

  • Glass container or other type of decorative container
  • Decorative pebbles
  • Faux plants
  • Large stones, sticks, fake moss, or other decorative features (optional)

Instructions

  1. Gather Your Supplies

    Set out all of your supplies before you start, so you're able to play with all of the pieces as you creatively construct your mini greenhouse.

    If you're using real plants instead of faux options, note what you'll need based on their growing requirements. For instance, some can grow in pebbles, but you might also need soil and fertilizer.

    Supplies for the greenhouse
    The Spruce / Caylin Harris

  2. Create a Base Layer

    First, you will add a base layer to your container that will stabilize your plants. For fake plants, this can be a layer of small decorative pebbles in the colors of your choosing. Add enough so the layer fully covers the bottom of the container, but don't make the layer so thick that your plants will be cramped at the top of the container. If you're using a glass container, be cautious when adding stones to avoid chipping or scratching the glass.

    For real plants, this base layer will often be soil. However, you might also include a layer of pebbles to improve drainage.

    Stone layer of greenhouse
    The Spruce / Caylin Harris

  3. Add the Plants

    Now it's time to situate your faux plants. It's completely down to your preference regarding the varieties you use. It can add visual appeal to mix and match plants of different sizes, shapes, colors, and textures. But you also might want a more uniform look with just one or two varieties. Simply nestle them into the pebbles, so they are supported and whatever kind of base they have is hidden. Keep playing with the arrangement until you are satisfied.

    You'll take the same approach for real plants. However, because they are more delicate than faux plants, it's ideal to map out your arrangement while the live plants are still in their nursery pots. That way, you won't have to disturb their roots if you want to move them.

    Adding succulents
    The Spruce / Caylin Harris

  4. Add Finishing Touches

    If you like the way your arrangement looks after the pebbles and plants, you can stop right there. However, some finishing touches might be just what your mini greenhouse needs.

    Among your plants, consider placing some fake moss, large decorative stones, sticks, shells, or other design touches of your choosing. Don't hesitate to move items around or swap some in and out. Once you're satisfied with the look, you're all set. You just need to find the perfect spot to display your mini greenhouse.

    Adding finishing touches
    The Spruce / Caylin Harris
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