Plant arrangements can be the mini-versions of a big landscape.  It is common for plant loving apartment dwellers to often complain that they are not able to collect and grow different types of plants due to space constraint and this can easily be solved with grouping plants together instead of displaying them as single specimens.

Grouping plants together also provides a higher humidity level around the plants reducing air circulation inside the group thus creating a higher moisture level.  While hand-misting provides temporary moisture to plants, the moisture will soon dry up due to the dry indoor air and it is not possible to hand-mist plants every two or three hours each day.  Plants which require higher humidity levels should usually be placed in the center of the group and more easy plants on the outer edges.  

Plant arrangements can be done in old fish tanks, bottles, pots or any suitable containers.  The important factor is to choose plants which require the same type of growing conditions in various shapes, forms, colors and textures to provide interest to the overall arrangement.   These arrangements can be further enhanced with colored pebbles and small figurines using one's imagination and creativity.

Some ideas for Grouping Plants

A variety of cacti and succulents displayed together in a shallow clay flower pot.

An arrangement of moisture loving ferns grouped in a tall planter.  The flowing fern will make an elegant display.

A variety of herbs planted in a trough placed preferably on a sunny kitchen window will provide fragrance and they can be freshly picked during cooking to provide flavor to the food.

A variety of water plants arranged in an unused kitchen sink makes an interesting display.

Grouping mini-orchids, air-plants or miniature bromeliads and small ferns in a fish tank with an overhead plant light makes a beautiful indoor display.  The plants can be mounted on to a suitable driftwood which will make it look like a mini-version of a tree with plants growing on it.

Plants of the same species in a variety of colors grouped together to make a colorful display:

                                    

Periwinkles in different colors planted in one flower pot.

A collection of African violets together with small specimens of ivy can be displayed in a shallow pot as a centerpiece for a low coffee table.  Take note that both the African violets and ivies have the same watering requirement.

Different shades of petunias displayed in a hanging basket.

Guide for making a bottle garden

1. Lay the bottom of the bottle with some fine gravel and then top this layer with some charcoal chips.  The charcoal will help to remove any odor from decaying plant parts. 

2. Add suitable potting mix on top of this layer in which the plants will be arranged. 

3. Divide plants into suitable sizes and arrange them according to their height and variety. 

4. Once you are pleased with the overall look, add more potting mix to hold the plants together and some lightweight stones/pebbles on the surface if you wish. 

5. Spray mist the arrangement and the soil but be careful not to over-water as the bottle does not have an outlet for excess water.  Do not compact the soil or add any heavy material on top of the compost as in case of accidental over-watering, moisture can get trapped inside the compost and damage the plants.

Moisture loving plants or plants which require high humidity can be arranged inside a large stoppered bottle.  After arranging the plants, gently spray-mist the inside of the bottle aiming at any compost clinging to the side of bottle.  Also spray-mist the plants and then seal it with the stopper which will contain the moisture inside and display this bottle in a brightly lit area away from strong sunlight.

If the condensation is heavy and remains the same for a few days, remove the stopper and then seal again the next day.  If there is no condensation, then there is not enough moisture and you will need to spray mist your bottle garden again.  The bottle garden can be left without watering for months with the balanced moisture inside the bottle, however, you will have to trim or prune the overgrown plants.

Some recommended plants for bottle gardens are mini-palms, fittonias, ivies, euonymus japonica, earth-stars (mini-bromeliads), syngoniums, ficus pumila, mini-ferns, air-plants (tillandsia), selaginella, peperomias, polka-dot plant (hypoestes), aluminum plant (pilea cadierei), small pitcher plants and even African violets.

Plant arrangements are long lasting gifts which are perfect for birthdays, new homes and opening ceremonies.  They also make excellent gifts for Fathers Day.

HAPPY FATHERS DAY