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    Home » Gardening

    How to Make an Indoor Water Garden

    February 11, 2019 by Patti Estep 22 Comments

    Jump to How-to Card
    Tall tabletop water garden
    Fishbowl indoor water garden

    Creating an indoor water garden is a fun project that you can make in about an hour, and it can be as simple or as elaborate as you wish.

    tabletop water gardens

    They're pretty simple but if you love plants you will certainly enjoy making this lovely little desktop water garden.  These low maintenance beauties are perfect for gift giving and offer a great way to get creative.

    Also having a water feature such as this or something like a simple indoor water fountain can bring a sense of tranquility to your workspace or home.

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    Indoor water garden supplies

    Making the Indoor Garden

    Supplies

    • Large Glass Containers - Terrariums, Vases, Bowls
    • Gravel, Stones or Rocks
    • Aquarium Plants - I used Aubias, Bolbitis, and Marimo Moss Balls.
    • Sea Fans and Decorative Add-ins
    • Distilled Water - You can also use tap water. Let it sit out for 24 hours first so that the chlorine will evaporate.
    Sectioning a sea fan

    This Sea Fan is actually dried coral and you can buy one piece and cut it up into different sections for your water garden, share with someone, or keep for a future project.

    Glass containers with rocks and plants

    Start with some decorative stones, clean gravel, or rocks. They provide stability for plants, a place to hold the sea fan and they look really pretty.

    water terrarium trio

    Plants to Choose

    I used an Aubias in the tall container and a Bolbitis in the round container. Both of these plants are submergent plants which means they grow underwater. These two also grow in low light conditions and will grow in rocks so I didn't need to prepare the bottom with soil.

    I also ordered a set of Marimo Moss balls. The descriptions said I would receive 6 balls but I actually received 8 moss balls! So I ended up using an old glass vase from my stash and created the simple garden on the left with some of the black rocks and a piece of the sea fan. 

    Did you know that Marimo balls are actually algae and not a moss at all? I think they are so pretty in these containers. If you become a huge Marimo fan you may want to read this Marimo Moss Ball Care Guide for great info on these beauties.

    tall container water garden

    How to Care for Your Indoor Water Garden

    For this set of plants, you only need to make sure they get some indirect light. A room with a decent window should do. 

    Change the water every month with more distilled water or tap water that has been left out for a good 24 hours first. You can also buy a tap water conditioner online or from any commercial pet store that sells aquariums. They may also sell plants and marimo balls too.

    Round indoor water garden

    I'm super happy with the way they turned out.

    My daughter already wants one for her apartment. We just need to figure out where she can put it. A place that her ferret can't reach. 

    Patti signature

    P.S. Indoor gardening can be just as fun and beautiful as outdoor gardening. If you are starting to get into houseplants you may enjoy my post about the simple pleasure of houseplants or one on houseplant symbolism.

    click here pin button
    two desktop water gardens
    tabletop water gardens
    Print
    4.50 from 4 votes

    How to Make an Indoor Water Garden

    Creating an indoor water garden is a fun project that you can make in about an hour, and it can be as simple or as elaborate as you wish.
    Prep Time10 mins
    Active Time20 mins
    Total Time30 mins
    Course: Indoor Gardening
    Yield: 1
    Author: Patti Estep

    Materials

    • Large Glass Containers - Terrariums Vases, Bowls
    • Gravel Stones, or Rocks
    • Aquarium Plants - I used Aubias Bolbitis, and Marimo Moss Balls.
    • Sea Fans and Decorative Add-ins
    • Distilled Water - You can also use tap water. Let it sit out for 24 hours first so that the chlorine will evaporate.

    Instructions

    • Start with some decorative stones, clean gravel, or rocks.
    • Place the sea fan or coral in between the stones or gravel to hold it in place.
    • Add plants and marimo moss balls.
    • Fill with distilled water.

    Notes

    You can also use tap water but make sure it sits out for 24 hours to let any chlorine evaporate.
    Place the water garden someplace where it can get indirect light.
    Change the water every month.

    More Gardening

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    • Cooking with Parsley - Growing, Harvesting and Recipes

    About Patti Estep

    Patti is the creator of Hearth and Vine, a home and garden blog filled with projects to inspire your creative side. She loves crafting, gardening, decorating and entertaining at her home in Pennsylvania. When she is not working on a project at home or searching for treasures at nurseries and thrift stores with her girlfriends, you’ll probably find her with family and friends, at a restaurant, or home party enjoying new and different food adventures.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Marti I

      December 03, 2022 at 6:00 pm

      What is the size of the bowl that you used and how tall is the vase?

      Reply
      • Patti Estep

        December 04, 2022 at 7:14 am

        The bowl is about 6 inches in height and 7.5 inches in diameter. The vase is 10 inches tall

        Reply
    2. Michele

      August 17, 2022 at 12:46 pm

      How would you recommend changing out the water without having to rebuild the project each time (or is that what has to be done)? Could you change out half the water every two weeks or so by scooping out half and then carefully pouring in fresh?

      Reply
      • Patti Estep

        August 17, 2022 at 2:26 pm

        Michele, you can try that. I'd also suggest using a large turkey baster or you could make a siphon with some tubing and a bucket to remove the water.

        Reply
    3. Agnes

      March 26, 2021 at 4:08 am

      I just did one last weekend ... and the water smell funny and murky. How do i solve that...

      Reply
      • Patti Estep

        March 26, 2021 at 6:21 am

        Agnes, I'm sorry to hear that you are having this issue. The only thing I can think of is maybe try washing the stones with soap to see if they are giving off the funny smell. 

        Reply
    4. S.Micheal Cara

      September 19, 2020 at 7:49 am

      Can moss be grown underwater? Thanks for inspire me. S.Cara

      Reply
      • Patti Estep

        September 20, 2020 at 7:03 am

        I do believe some kinds of moss can grow underwater. A pet store or one that specializes in aquariums would be a good place to check for a particular source.

        Reply
    5. April

      July 09, 2020 at 6:46 pm

      Can a lid be placed on top? I have a couple older terrariums with glass lids I thought might look pretty like this! But with cats a lid is a must.

      Reply
      • Patti Estep

        July 10, 2020 at 6:37 am

        April, I'm not sure. I'm wondering if it would need a pump if you placed a lid on it. I'd check with a pet store that sells aquariums.

        Reply
    6. Dena

      April 30, 2020 at 6:01 pm

      Would a fish be able to live in there, too?

      Reply
      • Patti Estep

        May 01, 2020 at 6:52 am

        Dena, I don't know much about fish. I would think the answer is yes but it probably depends on the fish, the number and size. I suggest you call or stop in a pet store and ask.

        Reply
      • Janie

        September 20, 2021 at 4:33 pm

        Where to get moss ball

        Reply
        • Patti Estep

          September 21, 2021 at 7:36 am

          Janie, you may be able to find them at a local aquatic or pet store. I purchased mine on Amazon but it seems like they are no longer selling them.

    7. Nacho

      March 28, 2020 at 5:00 am

      Hi Patti,

      that looks so beautiful. I'm looking for inspiration for a indoor water garden for a few days. And I think your way is the most practicable one.

      But how do you change the water? Do you remove it completly or is it enough to remove it half and fill it up with new water? Otherwise you have to arrange it all new? But this would be time consuming every month?

      I wish you a good weekend,
      Nacho

      Reply
      • Patti Estep

        March 28, 2020 at 6:46 am

        Nacho, since this is a brand new project I have only added water, as it's so small the water evaporates. I'm keeping an eye on it though and plan to remove everything and give them a good wash soon. I'm hoping to only need to do this a few times a year. Time will tell.

        Reply
    8. Marci

      December 26, 2019 at 10:50 pm

      how to you prevent bugs for showing up with the standing water?

      Reply
      • Patti Estep

        December 27, 2019 at 6:39 am

        Marci, I have three and haven't had a problem with bugs. It may be that the plant life helps with the water and I do change the water about once a month.

        Reply
    9. naz

      February 19, 2019 at 9:55 am

      can the plants live without an air pomp for the oxygen?

      Reply
      • Patti Estep

        February 19, 2019 at 10:37 am

        Naz, yes they can. From everything I've read and the pet store salesman only suggest replacing the water every few weeks, making sure that it's distilled or conditioned first and making sure it gets some light.

        Reply
    10. Julie Briones

      February 11, 2019 at 12:14 pm

      Low maintenance and so pretty! Great idea for an apartment or tiny home!

      Reply
    11. Maria

      February 11, 2019 at 8:49 am

      This is beautiful, I pinned it to my coastal board.
      Maria

      Reply

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