Toronto Master Gardener Factsheet    

A dish garden is a great way to grow a few cacti and succulents in a very limited space. Here's how to do it!

Choosing Plants

As long as the soil is porous and drainage adequate, it is more important to consider similarity in plant light requirements than moisture requirements. When plants need full sunshine to retain their natural shape and others prefer partial shade, there will be growth problems. Also consider dormancy and growing periods although in the warm atmosphere of the average room in winter there is never likely to be total dormancy. If you intend to move your dish garden outside during the summer, then hardiness must be a factor.

Plant Combinations

You can create beautiful combinations using the diverse textures, shapes and colours of cacti and succulents. Various Echeverias, when given strong light, retain their compact shape and good colour. Euphorbias and gymnocalyciums are often used for inside plantings as they prefer warmth and enjoy less sunshine.

A realistic desert scene can be made by selecting plants to represent on a small scale those growing in the wild - for instance, a small Pachycereus might be used to suggest a huge 'organ pipe' cactus; Sedum multicepts to represent a Joshua tree; a small Mammillaria to represent a big Barrel cactus and pieces of Sedum dasyphyllum's blue gray foliage to look like sage brush. Small pieces of jagged rocks inserted amongst the plants will help to create the illusion of a piece of desert in one's living room.

Plant Arrangements

One way to plan your arrangement is to compose a miniature landscape - trees, shrubs, open spaces and perhaps a boulder or pond. A good combination might be a tall Cereus type cactus to give height; medium globular and cylindrical types like Mammillarias or Rebutias, and some lower clustering plants like Sempervivums to fill in the foreground. Since the arrangement of a dish garden is usually informal, the high point should not be central - uneven dimensions are considered more artistic. Try dividing your dish into thirds front to back and side to side and place the tallest plant(s) at a point where the dividing lines intersect. In an attractive landscape things are grouped not spread around, so arrange several plants around a taller one, then something low and perhaps another smaller group. Leave some open spaces which can be covered with pebbles or rock chippings. A piece of mirror can be used to simulate water - cover the edges with sand or pebbles.

Planting your Dish Garden Container

The container should be at least 9 cm (3 to 3 1/2 inches) deep, preferably with drainage holes. Bonsai containers, perhaps neutral in colour and with a dull finish, can be most effective. If the dish garden is to be displayed on furniture, it is desirable to use containers without drainage hole. In this case provide a drainage layer such as broken clay pieces which absorb some moisture. Fill in with grit and top with a layer of coarse leafmold to prevent the soil form washing down into the drainage reservoir.

Soil

The choice of soil is not critical. Any good cactus potting soil with the addition of some coarse sand or fine grit can be used.

Landscaping

To give the appearance of a hillside, build up the soil and place two or three of the larger pieces of rock at the base of the incline to bring them into the foreground and give a greater impression of size. Now lay your plants in position, moving them around until you get the desired effect.

Watering

When the plants and rocks are in position and firmed down, thinly cover some or all of the surface with fine grit or coarse sand to give the desired finished appearance. Do not water for a few days in case any of the roots have been damaged. This will allow them to heal and prevent root rot. Then water the dish well and allow the soil to become dry before giving more water.

In the growing season water them whenever the soil becomes dry, ensuring that they are well watered. Never leave pots sitting in a saucer of water. Should you overwater a dish garden that has no drainage holes or leave it out in the rain too long, tip the dish carefully to allow excess water to run off. Leave it for an hour or two to drain the soil. The drainage reservoir can then take care of what remains. However, a good idea when planting a dish garden is to include one or two 'thirsty' plants to protect the kinds that need less moisture and don't like 'wet feet'. This is the big advantage of a mixed dish garden.

Location

The location should be a sunny site with good ventilation where there is direct sunlight for at least 3-4 hours each day. A southern, unshaded situation in a window is best. If a suitable situation is not available, the plants may be grown under high intensity lights.

Your dish garden is now ready for you to enjoy - happy planting! Remember to repot your plants every two years.

 

Factsheets are produced by the Toronto Master Gardeners in association with the Toronto Botanical Garden. They provide introductory information about a broad range of horticultural topics and are intended for personal use and study purposes. Should your gardening group or organization wish to use multiple copies we ask that you inform the Toronto Botanical Garden at info@torontobotanicalgarden.ca.

Date revised: This factsheet was created prior to May 2005.