With the seemingly endless variety of plants available, deciding what to include in your garden can be quite puzzling. It’s easy to get carried away and end up with a chaotic garden. You might think there’s no such thing as too many plants — fair enough. However, clutter is clutter, especially if your outdoor space is limited in size. The goal is to maximize a limited collection of plants, and a capsule garden is an ideal solution for that.
A capsule garden is essentially a curated arrangement of plants and accessories, focusing on quality over quantity by retaining only what enhances the design. This should not be confused with a time capsule garden, where plants are selected based on garden designs from the 1700s and 1800s. In a capsule garden, you can switch out your plants to create a variety of different layouts. This trending design choice emphasizes doing more with less, making it perfect for balconies, small terraces, and for those who prefer low-maintenance setups. Each plant and accessory should serve a purpose in both form and function. You can even curate the flora by theme, such as growing culinary herbs together, choosing aromatic greenery, or selecting purely aesthetic options. The result is typically a beautiful garden that is compact, thoughtful, and sustainable.
How to design a capsule garden
Designing a capsule garden is an art form in itself. It starts with reviewing the collection you already have (this step can be skipped if you’re starting from scratch). Remove plants that aren’t thriving. Plants that, in the words of Marie Kondo, “don’t spark joy” should also be removed. However, this doesn’t mean you should discard them; if the plant is still healthy, consider gifting it to friends or family. The next step is to choose a color palette that makes mixing and matching easy. Consider neutral colors like white, cream, and light pastels. You can add a brightly colored plant or two for a touch of vibrancy. Then, select the key pieces you want to feature in your garden — the special list of plants to keep or add. Pair them with foliage plants for a lush appearance.
Regarding the theme, you might opt for something specific like a Mediterranean or Japanese garden, or something more general like a cottage garden design or a contemporary look. Next, consider the accessories. These should be pared down to essentials — a hand trowel, a garden fork, and perhaps a watering can. The same principle applies to decorative items. It’s easy to become overzealous with details, but this can prevent your curated pieces from truly standing out. A comfortable seat can complete the look. If your capsule garden is intended as a decorative idea for a small balcony, you’ll also need a single piece of furniture, such as a bench or a lounge chair. The outcome will be an urban oasis that you can’t get enough of.
