A planted table

A Planted Table

Not just any coffee table, James shows how to create a terrarium table, making a stunning planted table by renovating a 1980s coffee tray.

Equipment Used:

• Coffee table with glass top and magazine shelf
• Industrial pizza tray 60cm or dog cage tray for larger sizes
• Sylva peat-free multi-purpose compost (composted wood)
• Floristry pins

Plants Used:

• Scindapsus pictus 'Satin Pothos'
• Selaginella uncinata 'Peacock Moss'
• Pilea depressa 'Baby Tears'
• Pilea glauca 'Pilea Silver Sparkle'
• Pilea cardieri 'Aluminium plant'
• Peperomia 'Napoli Nights'
• Peperomia verticillata

Lesson Summary

• The shallower the tray is, the quicker it dries out. I have used a 2cm tray.
• I mix one part kurodama to four parts compost.
• The compost is an multi-purpose peat-free compost.
• I plant low growing species, because the taller they are, the more likely they are to hit the glass.
• I have chosen species that require low light levels.
• The plants that have been selected are plants that originate from a forest floor habitat.
• Planting in odd numbers allows the planting to appear more natural.
• The tiny nodules on Scindapsus and other creeping tropical vines are root buds, if they are covered in the soil they will develop into a root system.
• Driftwood sold at aquarium shops is hardwood, which is perfect as it takes a very long time for the wood to rot or break down.
• If you were to use wood found in a garden, not only would it rot very quickly, it will be full of undesirable insects.
• In a flat tray, larger leaved plants are the thrillers.
• All forest floor species used in this arrangement originate in South-East Asia.
• Negative space usually works best in the centre of the arrangement as it adds depth rather than keeping everything the same height.
• Give the tray a good soak, as the tray is shallow and water will evaporate quickly.
• As you water, wash down any compost off the plants.
• I recommend covering any bare compost with decorative gravel.
• I use flower pins to pin leaves down in areas where they're not lying flat.
• As long as you give plants the right growing conditions they will re-adjust themselves.
• Don't worry too much about how the table looks when newly planted. It will take some time to settle and grow, before it really starts looking good.
• Water the planted table with a fine rose watering can in the summer. In winter, spraying the planted table with water once a week is usually enough.
• If the table is set inside the room far from the window, you don't have to water it that often. But if it's closer to the window, you will have to be careful and monitor it carefully for water.
• Once in position, it will need the occasional trim, but other than watering, it is a low maintenance piece of 'green' furniture.

Your Notes

Go to a local charity shop (thrift shop) and look for a standard glass-topped coffee table. Once you've purchased that, gather all the other materials listed and create your own planted table.