Materials

 Gravel
 Horticultural charcoal
 Wide, low-sided container (without a drainage hole)
 Plants
 Potting soil
 Decorative objects like shells, stones, and figurines
 Moss or sand

How to Build It
1. Creating your own dish garden is simple.
2. To start, sprinkle less than an inch of gravel and charcoal over the
bottom of the container.
3. The gravel is used for drainage around the plant's roots while
the charcoal helps to keep small amounts of standing moisture fresh.
4. Next, unpot your plants and position them however you see fit, keeping
in mind that you are trying to create a miniature landscape.
5. Surround the root-balls with soil, leaving a thinner layer over the
nonplanted gravel areas.
6. Then add decorative items like shells, stones, figurines, or other collected
objects, and tuck them in with a top-dressing of moss or sand so that
there is no bare soil showing.

Maintaining Your Garden

1. Now that you've created your dish garden, the proper care is important
to ensure growth.
2. Keep your garden moist with a watering can or water in the sink and let
it soak for a few minutes, then carefully tip out the excess water while
holding the arrangement in place with your other hand.
3. Repeat this procedure once a week or when the soil feels dry. Be sure
your garden never sits in excess water and replace any overgrown or
sickly plants as needed for the best results.
4. Make sure your dish garden is placed in bright but indirect sunlight, and
your houseplants should thrive for months or even years to come.