These tabletop gardens may be small but their colorful flowers

 Tablet planter ideas

These tabletop gardens may be small, but their colorful flowers and greenery can make a big impact in your outdoor living area.

Grow a great tabletop plant

Tabletop containers require a little more consideration when putting one together, as the plants rest on more surfaces than props. Here are some simple tips to help you design a container that best suits your schedule.

Proportion is key

The first rule of thumb for tabletop plants is to use plants and containers that aren't too tall to be seen. You don't want to block the view of other people sitting at the table. Matching the height of the plants to the height of the container creates a pleasing proportion.

Don't forget the details

These are containers you can see up close, so plants with pretty flowers and delicate leaves really get a chance to shine. Choose two to four repeating plants to ensure your tabletop planter looks great from all angles. That way, wherever you sit, you'll have a good view.

Think about maintenance

Because the plants are so close together, it's easy to spot small imperfections, so choose low-maintenance varieties that are self-cleaning or require little deadhead. Have a plan for watering: use saucers or remove the container from the table before watering to prevent water staining.

1. Cute and compact tabletop planter

Some beautiful spring flowers are so small and sweet that they are easy to miss. Scotch moss in this combo is commonly found creeping over stones on pavement or even as a lawn substitute. But from these spots it is impossible to distinguish the spots of small, white, early spring flowers. A tabletop container elevates Scotch moss to eye level, making for a lush and vibrant setting. Scotch moss and forget-me-not need moist but well-drained soil; Water when the top inch of soil feels dry. A few small stones here and there create a nice texture contrast.

Forget-me-not flowers are a pollinator favorite in early spring, so you might get a visitor or two while sitting on your table. This container needs part sun in early spring, but as the days warm, heavy afternoon shade will help extend their life.

List of plants (number per plant)

A) Scotch moss Sakina subulata 'Aria' (2)

B) English Daisy Bellis Berenice Bellissima Rose Bicolor (2)

C) Forget Me Not Myosotis sylvatica 'Ultramarine' (2)

D) Twinspur Diacea Sandiacea Beach (1)

The container is 12 inches in diameter

2. A tablet plant for a shady spot

You've probably seen all of these plants at a flower shop or grocery store display. But that doesn't mean they are houseplants. You can also grow them outdoors in a shady spot. Ryger begonias continue to bloom all summer, and Kalanchoe blooms a second time after the first flush dies. The yellow flower of the zebra plant is the icing on this striking plant's cake, but pinch it when it starts to turn brown and you won't miss it – you'll be looking at the contrasting white on the shiny dark leaves. Pinch the polka dot plant frequently to keep it compact and full of white-spotted leaves.

List of plants (number per plant)

A) Zebra plant Aphelandra squarrosa (1)

B) Kalanchoe Kalanchoe blossfeldiana (1)

C) Polka dot plant Hyposthes phyllostachia (1)

D) Rieger Begonia Begonia x Hymalis (1)

3. Mix flowers and herbs

Brush your hand over the foliage in this tablet planter and inhale. You'll be rewarded with a soft herbal scent from lemon thyme and tricolor sage. Don't be afraid to cut off a stem or leaf for your kitchen every once in a while. 'Kent Beauty' ornamental oregano is not used for cooking, but its papery flowers can easily be dried for arrangements. Keep these drought-tolerant plants in full sun and water or the roots will rot.

Plant list (number to plant)

A) Ornamental oregano Origanum rotundifolium ‘Kent Beauty’(1)

B) Cape daisy Osteospermum eklonis FlowerPower™ Purple Red(1)

C) Mexican heather Cuphea hyssopifolia (1)

D) Tricolor sage Salvia officinalis ‘Tricolor’ (1)

E) Sedum Sedum sieboldii (1)

F) Lemon thyme Thymus citriodorus (1)

G) Calibrachoa Calibrachoa Million Bells® Trailing Yellow (1)

Container is 12 in. square

4. Playful couple

This terra-cotta bowl holds just two plants, but is large enough to be the center of attention for months as a tabletop planter. Planting under white vinca is perfect for setting up the playful globes that result from globe amaranth. Make sure your planting partners share the same growing needs. Globe amaranth and vinca both thrive in full sun and can tolerate some drying out between waterings.

Cut off the flower tip

Those sweet, round globe amaranth flowers make a long-lasting cut flower for bouquets and make an even better dried flower—cut a stem when the flowers are fully open and hang upside down in a dark, dry place for about three weeks.

List of plants (number per plant)

A) Vinca Catharanthus roseus Vitalia White (4)

B) Globe amaranth Combrina globosa 'Ping Pong Purple' (1)

Container diameter is 14 inches