Simple Mini Landscape with Ginseng Ficus, Saxifraga, and Moss

Lea
6 hours ago
2 min read

Materials

One bag of 3–9 mm lava rock (small gravel)
Some sphagnum moss or dried moss
Several pieces of larger lava rock (no need for uniform size—mixed sizes work well)

Plants:

Cushion moss (Leucobryum)
Ginseng ficus (Ficus microcarpa)
Dwarf Saxifraga

Step-by-Step Setup

1) Base Layer

Add a layer of 3–9 mm lava rock at the bottom.Then add a layer of pre-moistened sphagnum or dried moss.

2) Place the Rocks

Add the larger lava rocks in any arrangement you like.The key point: place a large drilled lava rock in the center.

It’s ideal if the rocks interlock naturally, but it’s not required.

3) Plant the Ficus

Place the ginseng ficus into the hole in the central lava rock.

This ficus already comes with soil (a clay-based soil), and there is a layer of moss on top—this is Racomitrium moss.

That’s why the moss around the roots looks different from the rest.

4) Fill Gaps with Moss

Insert sphagnum moss into the gaps between rocks—anywhere you plan to grow moss.

5) Fill with Small Lava Rock

Add more 3–9 mm lava rock to fill the remaining gaps between the large stones.Use enough to stabilize everything so the rocks don’t shift.

Growth Notes

This container is relatively tall and has ventilation holes,so it is suitable for slightly taller plants.

The ginseng ficus grows quickly and will soon produce new shoots.That’s not a problem—just trim them as needed.You can even stick the cuttings directly into the terrarium to propagate them.

The Saxifraga here was divided from a larger plant.Once it grows into a full clump again, you can divide it further.

In this setup, plants tend to grow very quickly.