Tabletop Cactus Garden
This Post May Contain Affiliate Links. Please Read Our Disclosure PolicyI 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.
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.
Let me show you how I put this together.
Here’s what you’ll need:
a shallow container
soil (for cactus, palm, and citrus)
gloves
rocks
assorted cacti
Let’s get creating!
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.
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.
After that, fill in with dirt.
Finish off the garden with a few more rocks. I like to put them in groups of two or three.
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.
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.
Have you had any success with tabletop gardens or terrariums? Think you’ll give one a try?
Can’t wait to try this! Just need the perfect container! Love all the projects and posts you do!
Very sweet. My kind of garden. Your whole blog is adorable.
Now that you’ve had some time with these littles, how have they fared? I seem to keep killing off all of my cacti/ succulents! :/
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.
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
Thank you so much Souraya!!
xo Michael
where did you get your cacti?
From Lowes. 🙂
xo Michael
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!
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
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!
I loved your tutorial so much I added it to my weekly round-up post: arts and crafts around the web this week. With a link to your blog.
Ciao!
Naomi
Thanks so much Naomi! I appreciate the love!
xo Michael
Love this DIY project, Michael! Such a great idea!
Thanks Jennay!
xo Michael
Oh my, I`m absolutely loving this!! Have to try it on my own as well!
Thank you so much for the inspiration!
Take care!
xo, Maja
You bet! Good luck with your mini garden.
xo Michael
I didn’t know I was a cacti fan either!!! Stunning quick results – love that you’re getting into crafty mode – feels like the olden days of blogging!!! 😉 Have a sweet summer day!!!
Yes! Me too. I’m hoping to find some really practical / useful crafts and DIY projects. All suggestions are welcome! 🙂
xo Michael
LOVE this, Mr. A green-fingered masterpiece! 🙂
P.S. Love that you have Revenge Wears Prada next to it because I’m totally reading that book at the moment, too!
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 🙂
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 🙂
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
Super cute!! Do you have issues with the kitties or do they instinctively know to leave them alone?
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
Good to know! I would really like this but would be so sad if my kitty girl was hurt. 🙂
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
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!
Melanie – that’s going to be my plan too. Watering as little as possible. *fingers crossed*
xo Michael
This is so adorable! You inspire me daily. I love the virtual hanging out, thank you for bringing up my day.
Isn’t it cute? And I love hanging out virtually too. Thanks for your sweet comment!
xo Michael
I love this Michael…You have inspired me to try it, thank you !!
I love all your posts and pictures, you’re such a good photographer.
Yes! Give it a try. I can’t wait to see how it turns out.
xo Michael
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!
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
OMG I absolutely love this. I adore you pinterest board and look forward to seeing your diy’s. I am seriously going to have to make this!
That makes me so happy to hear! Thanks for all the love Jessica!
xo Michael