Tabletop Cactus Garden

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I can’t remember if it was here, in social media land, or maybe both places, where I mentioned I have decided to start a new series on IBC. As you may have guessed from the title of this post, it’s called “I Create.” It’s sort of inspired by my “i create” Pinterest board. At any rate, over the next 365 days I’m challenging myself to create, make, or DIY 50 things. That may not sound like a lot, but if you think about it, that’s about one project per week.

In the recent blog survey, some of you wrote that you’re wanting to see more creative, crafty, and DIY things. To be honest, before you mentioned this, I had been wanting to get back into creating things myself. Thank you for the extra encouragement and push. I hope this series will provide lots of inspiration for you and help to revive my creative spirit.

As you know from previous posts, like my DIY Dot Table Runner and Gold Plant Stands, I’m part of the Lowes Creative Ideas Blogger Network. This month, our challenge was to create a tabletop garden! My initial thought was to do something with succulents, but when I was shopping at my local store, I stumbled upon some fantastic cacti. Since succulents are everywhere these days, and I already have enough, I figured I’d give cacti a try.

Tabletop Cactus Garden | Inspired by Charm

Needless, to say, I’m so glad that I did! Check out how adorable my little Tabletop Cactus Garden turned out. I’m loving it. To be honest, I had been steering clear of any sort of terrarium because the ones I tried in the past always died within weeks of planting. Feeling a little more confident, I’m giving it another go. I think the key is not to overwater. I’ll keep you updated.

Tabletop Cactus Garden | Inspired by Charm

Let me show you how I put this together.

Here’s what you’ll need:

Tabletop Cactus Garden | Inspired by Charm

a shallow container
soil (for cactus, palm, and citrus)
gloves
rocks
assorted cacti

Let’s get creating!

Tabletop Cactus Garden | Inspired by Charm

Line the bottom of a shallow dish with rocks. You can use any type of dish you have. I liked this particular dish because it’s clear, round, and fairly shallow.

Tabletop Cactus Garden | Inspired by Charm

Then start putting in your cacti. Because the pots are taller than my dish I cleared as much soil as possible off the of roots of each cactus before putting them into my dish. This way, the bottom of my cacti would be flush with the top of the dish.

Tabletop Cactus Garden | Inspired by Charm
Tabletop Cactus Garden | Inspired by Charm

After that, fill in with dirt.

Tabletop Cactus Garden | Inspired by Charm

Finish off the garden with a few more rocks. I like to put them in groups of two or three.

Tabletop Cactus Garden | Inspired by Charm

That’s it! Your garden is complete. It literally takes all of ten minutes to do this project and the results are spectacular. Other than the dish, I got allof my supplies at Lowes.

Tabletop Cactus Garden | Inspired by Charm
Tabletop Cactus Garden | Inspired by Charm

To be honest, I haven’t really been a cacti fan in the past, but I’m totally in love with them these days. Their textures and shapes add so much variety, interest, and life to a space. Plus, they bring a wonderful contemporary feel to a room. I think a terrarium filled with cacti would also make a great gift.

Tabletop Cactus Garden | Inspired by Charm
Tabletop Cactus Garden | Inspired by Charm

Have you had any success with tabletop gardens or terrariums? Think you’ll give one a try?

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37 Comments

  1. I made my little garden today! I used a long dish instead of a round one….it has the cacti in a short row. I think it looks great and I’m going to put it on my desk in my craft room! Thank you for the inspiration! I’d love to show you pictures, but I’m not sure how. Email me directly if you’d like to see it.

  2. Wauw, what an amazing idea. I was searching for some inspiring ideas with cacti in an interior for my weekly post for Showhome.nl . I found this photo on Pinterest and directly go to your blog. I think it looks great and i add you to my bloglovin roll. I will take a look at your blog tonight. Will you step by at BintiHomeblog too? Curious what you think. Have a good day!

    best regards,
    Souraya Hassan
    bintihomeblog.com

  3. Do you remember where you picked up the glass dish you used? I think that dish is just perfect!

    I’m creating a craft room for myself, and I think I’ll add this to my decor! I see those colorful little cacti from time to time, but I have never thought to group them like you did. The end result is wonderful! Thanks for sharing!

    1. Judy – it was actually from my gift shoppe (which is now closed). It’s from a company called ‘Tag’. I feel like I’ve seen them at HomeGoods or TJMaxx at some point or another too.

      xo Michael

      1. Thank you!
        I found something I think I’ll like at Ikea, but it’s not available right now.
        I’ll check around. I appreciate the quick response!

    1. Yes! Me too. I’m hoping to find some really practical / useful crafts and DIY projects. All suggestions are welcome! 🙂

      xo Michael

    1. You can call me that once they’ve survived a couple months! Haha.

      I have yet to start reading it, but it’s next on my list! I can’t wait.

      xo Michael 🙂

  4. thanks Michael, you come to my rescue. I love gardening (and I am good at it too) but…. cacti seem to hate me – I kill them off quickly, which upsets my husband, who loves them. Now I will try again (as a ‘secret’ little gift to him) with my glass dish and pebbles – that hopefully will do the trick.
    The other thing, I love your curtains!! Who is the Designer?
    I really enjoy your postings, but I have an issue with W/P – often I cannot “like” or “comment” because W/P is not available (so it says on screen) – that means many a times I just have to delete, or my email box gets clogged up. Take care and have a nice (creative) weekend. Carina 🙂

    1. Yeah! I’m glad I was able to give you the courage to try again. To be honest, I’m a little nervous about keeping mine alive too!

      Thanks for the curtain love. I guess I’m the designer. Haha. I made them myself. You can read about that here: https://inspiredbycharm.com/2011/04/garden-suite-curtain-reveal-and-tutorial.html

      I’m not quite sure about the WoodPress issue. Where is this happening? In your email? Any additional info would be appreciated. Thanks!

      xo Michael

    1. Um, I’m not sure yet. I have another large cactus and they don’t seem to bother it. Thankfully these smaller guys aren’t too sharp. I hope they just leave it alone.

      xo Michael

      1. Oh, I know. Just check your cactus before you bring them home. It’s surprising how soft some of them are. I assume they get harder/sharper as the plants get bigger. Good luck!

        xo Michael

  5. Fantastic job, Michael! I love cacti and succulents. Some of mine have died; others have done well. I’ve trying not watering them for a loong time to watering them more often to moving away from direct sunlight. Hope yours stay as beautiful as they are now!

  6. I was a commenter in the survey about DIYs, and here you are with a new one! This is exactly what I was hoping for! I really like the cacti too – classic and easy (hopefully?) to maintain. Great idea, Michael!

    1. Well thank you again for your survey answer. So many folks were very constructive and I can’t tell you how much I appreciate that! Glad you are liking the tutorial and I certainly hope you enjoy the rest of the series!

      xo Michael