Plants, as you may already know, can make a world of difference in a space. We have spent the last week slowly unpacking and renovating our new Nashville house (yay!), and since it’s hard to be patient and wait for some of the bigger things to be done, I’ve tried to focus on some smaller things to brighten up the place in the meantime. I couldn’t bring all my plants with me in the move and the new house has felt a little bare without all the greenery I’m used to, so I thought this would be a great time to try a plant project I’ve been wanting to do for a while. You know those small colored rocks you see in the fish aisle in the pet store? Well, not only will they brighten up your fish tank if you have some finned friends in the house, but they also look great as the top layer of a terrarium or planter to add a little color or texture to the greenery!
You can buy the aquarium gravel in lots of different colors, and one small bag will cover several planters. So it’s pretty cost effective too.
Just add some plain stones to the bottom of your planter for drainage, add soil on top and plant your plants in the soil.
Use a small scoop or your fingers to drop bits of the colored gravel into the planter until you have a level layer of gravel on top. If you get some stones caught in the leaves or middle of your plants, just use a pen or something long and skinny to push the stones out and onto the rest of the gravel for a clean look. Don’t forget to lift up the leaves and put stones underneath as well!
I love the pops of color that the gravel adds to the plants, it makes it so much more fun! I especially love the black and white gravel, so good right? So next time you’re out to get supplies for a cool terrarium or planter, don’t forget to stop by the fish aisle to see what you can find! xo. Laura
Credits/ Author and Photography: Laura Gummerman. Photos edited with A Beautiful Mess actions.
42 Comments
Very nice!!!
What a fabulous idea!! I haven’t seen this before and I’m impressed with how chic it looks. Especially the hot pink touch 😛
Alice – the-rose-glow.blogspot.co.uk
I love the green version!!!
Very beautiful!
This is actually the CUTEST idea I have ever seen.
http://juliettelaura.blogspot.com
Such a great idea!
I don’t have any terrarium at home yet, but I’m looking forward to have one for a while. I was searching for those small glasses but using an aquarium seems so practical. I loved. Need to get one!
🙂
xo, Deborah
http://www.loveandeverythingblog.com
I happen to like the teal ones. Oh gosh that and the pink ones will fit my room’s color theme!
http://annescribblesanddoodles.blogspot.com/
This is so simple & cute! Thank you for sharing my next DIY project. :]
// ▲ itsCarmen.com ▲
That’s a genius idea! I love the pink especially, reminds me of candy
How cute is that?! As an added bonus, these plants are much harder to kill than flowers!
These look so adorable! 🙂 I need to make one
Natalie Ann xo // Petal Poppet Blogs ♥
So cute! I would love to try this! Where do you find glass bowls like that?
So cute! You have the greatest ideas!!! 🙂
This is fun! I like the colorful rocks. The pop of color makes these so playful! Great idea.
xx Lane
Wow! Totally doing this. Good job!! ???
I’ve got only one plant in my house, and even that was purchased for health issues, but these look really pretty!
http://somebodyfromsomewhere.blogspot.com/
I wouldn’t have thought to scour the aquarium area to find rocks for a planter! I love this, I’ve been wanting to create a little planter like this for a while.
Thanks!
In addition to the drainage rocks, I find it helpful to add either activated charcoal or Orchid potting mix too to prevent root rot.
What a great idea! I’ve just moved into a new place and it definitely needs some brightening up. Definitely going to do this! 🙂
http://www.eyelash-wishes.com
How fun! I’ve been wanting some greenery and some color in my new office space. I may do this!
Never thought a fish bowl would be useful without a fish! I have to try this xx
Oh wow those flowers look really cute with the pink and turquoise colors, love it!
Betty | Inspiremeand
I got these at TJMaxx, but they are also at Target, Hobby Lobby, Michaels, most craft stores have glassware 🙂
Laura
Good tip!
Laura
Such a cute idea!
XO, Jessi
This is so cute! At first I thought you just used rocks and I was concerned it wouldn’t work… I love how you put rocks on the bottom to help drainage and then layered soil on top with another layer of rocks! The pink is so fun too (:
Isn’t it my idea? I posted it yesterday. I always link to Your posts when I get the inspiration. That’s not nice.
I am terrible at keeping real plants alive, but I think if I threw this together with some artificial succulents it would look so cute! Love this idea!
This is so fun! I love succulents!
Paige
http://thehappyflammily.com
This is super cute! Love the pop of color 🙂
tonixox.blogspot.com
Gosh this is such a cute idea! You are so clever and talented.
http://www.xoxobella.com
Hey there 🙂
We actually work on DIY posts weeks in advance. Last week I stayed at Laura’s house all week and these were already done and in our blog drafts at that time. We care VERY much about giving credit and spreading kindness in the blogging community.
Sending hugs + all the good crafty vibes! Elsie
Absolutely gorgeous! It looks so cute!
Really nice! I tried repotting my cactus before, and they all died! haha! I think i know what went wrong now, I didnt put rocks below for drainage! Thanks for sharing!
Rachel x
thehappybits.blogspot.com
Such a beautiful home accessory! Especially if you can choose the colour if the gravel! Definitely going to try this 🙂
Thank you for this great idea ! I did one with my daughter. So fun, easy and quick !
So cute! I love this! thank you for the idea!
Trish – tales from trish
Awesome idea, good one to do with the kiddo’s too!
Doing it this weekend for sure!
Beth.
http://www.modernmotherblog.com
I love it! It is very besutiful and simple, I definitely try it!
Regards from inatrendytown.com
Wow I love the pop of pink with the pebbles. Will have to give this a go.
This is a really great idea for home décor and gifts. I find interesting glass wear at thrift shops and garage sales that can be used for the terrarium. Amazingly lifelike artificial plants can be substituted for live plants in those darker spots in the home that need a little more color.
The gravel gives a polished look to a potted plant when spread on top of the soil.
I’ve even used aquarium stones to add a little interest to my rock gardens in the yard.
These are so cute! We need some plant-life in our apartment so I’m going to try this. It seems a little less messy than flowers and a little merciful, seeing as I keep killing the ones I buy.
Love this idea. Not one for bright colors but with some bright white rocks it would go perfect in my room. As always, I love your household DIY’s.
http://www.throughmyowneyes.com