During the launch for my first book, Gardening in Miniature: Create Your Own Tiny Living World, I had been on high-alert, looking for different ways to grow indoors when Pottery Barn called. They wanted me to do a miniature garden demonstration at one of their stores here in Seattle. My first thought was “huh?” I mean, really, what does Pottery Barn have to do with gardening or even miniature gardening? Then I mulled it over, woke up at 2:13am with a new idea: indoor plants + cache pots + miniatures.
Done.
I love those “eureka moments.” They only happen when you least expect it.
A Cachepot? Wassat?
A cache pot is simply a pot without a drainage hole in it that you use to contain a potted plant.
The cachepot’s main purpose is to hide the nursery/plant pot so you can put it anywhere you like, on your TV – whoops, I’m dating myself, remember when you could do that? – Okay, you can put it on your mantle*, your dining room table* or even in your bathroom if there is enough light for the plant to enjoy.
When the plant needs water, you take the plant out of the cache pot, water it, let it drain in the sink and put it back in the cachepot. Easy-peasy!
Now, What to I do with My Cachepot?
Cachepots are perfect for adding a pop of seasonal color anywhere you need it. Just keep in mind that seasonal annuals usually won’t live too long indoors, but you can have fun swapping it out for something different each month, or each season. Otherwise, there are a variety of houseplant that come in 4″ pots and are perfect for this idea. Make sure you’re putting the “right plant in the right place indoors too.”
And hey! It’s another reason to go plant shopping. For reals.
(*CAVEAT: Watch any pot, saucer or cache pot on your wood surfaces. If the cache pots are not glazed on the bottom of the container, they will wick moisture onto your good wood surface and leave that annoying ring – forever. Err on the side of caution always and watch any new set-up at first, to make sure it’s waterproof.
You can find plant coasters at your local independent garden center, they will have a few options for you and you can pick up a couple of 4″ houseplant at the same time BUT make sure the coaster is fool-proof. Don’t assume it will protect your table without testing it first. Cloth coasters will wick, cork pads will wick and even bamboo can wick moisture and ruin your good furniture. Plastic saucers can crack without you knowing as well. My preference is china plates from your local Sally Ann thrift shop. Get a pretty plate that matches your cachepot and/or your decor – they are foolproof.
Cachepot Miniature Gardening
To put your own little scene together, you’ll need:
- A cachepot
- A matching dish, bowl or larger container
- A plant (- chose the spot where it will live, then choose the plant to suit that spot)
- Miniature Accessories, a bench or a birdbath
- Miniature Pebbles
- Miniature Props: like driftwood, mini “boulders” or both
See the variety of miniature pebbles and tumbled stone up in our online Two Green Thumbs Miniature Garden Center here.
Find the Variegated Boxwood Tree here and/or your miniature driftwood? Find it here, up in our online store.
You Can Do It Too!
Now it’s your turn! Look around your potting bench, garage, cupboards and china cabinet for a cachepot and dish combo and start assembling this fun and easy project. It’ll add a bit of whimsy to you day – because it’s perfect for the office too! This idea can be applied to any occasion too, just find the seasonal plants with a miniature or three and have fun.
Want an even easier way to do this? Check out our other blog post on this idea here: More Quick and Cute: Adorable Indoor Miniature Garden Ideas.
You can find miniature water features, tiny birdbaths, miniature pots and all kinds of mini pebbles up in our store too.
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