How to create an indoor rockery with Scottish pebbles

If you've ordered Scottish cobbles or pebbles in bulk for a driveway, garden or patio, you'll know just how beautiful these smooth, round stones in earthy and natural colours can be. But did you know that they look equally fantastic inside your home as they do outside?

If you have a few Scottish pebbles or Scottish cobbles (which tend to be larger than the pebbles) to spare, why not use them to create an indoor rockery? It's a great way to bring the outdoors in and add a beautiful decorative touch to your home. It's also perfect for those who have no garden space but still want to get green-fingered! What's more, an indoor rockery can be as low or high maintenance as you like, making it the perfect choice for gardeners and non-gardeners alike.

But how do you create an indoor rockery, and why are Scottish cobbles and pebbles such a great choice?

How to create an indoor rockery

1. Choose your vessel

The great thing about an indoor rockery is that you can design it to suit your exact style! Some choose a trough-style pot to sit along the length of a windowsill, while others use a classic plant pot. Terrariums are becoming more and more popular, too. The truth is, any container will work, including retro or vintage bakeware, or anything else that suits your style.

When choosing your vessel, just be sure to check for drainage holes at the bottom. If there are holes, you'll need to place something beneath the planter to avoid mess. If there are no drainage holes, you'll need to avoid overwatering and killing the plants inside.

2. Decide on your plants

Cacti and succulents are always popular choices for indoor rockeries, as they are very low maintenance and come in a wide variety of different shapes, sizes and colours. However, the world is your oyster. Miniature ferns, mosses, grasses and more can all work in indoor rockeries. Choose plants with the level of maintenance you're happy with, and which pair well with the rest of your decor.

3. Buy the right soil

The right soil is vital to keep your rockery plants alive. Choose a soil type with appropriate drainage properties for your needs, or, if your approach is to create something more akin to a Japanese zen garden, simply go for sand instead.

4. Assemble

Assembling your indoor rockery is the fun part! Here, you can give it exactly the look you want, whether it's busy or minimalist, carefree or precise. Once you've planted your plants (if you're using them), arrange your Scottish pebbles or cobbles around them. It's your choice whether you cover the entire surface or leave gaps, pile them high or keep it flat. Here are a few different ideas.

rockery plants

Ideas for indoor rockeries using Scottish pebbles or cobbles

1. Coastal vibes

Why not use a boat-shaped vessel, adorned with seaside-inspired plants like miniature palm trees? Use Scottish pebbles or cobbles to give off a great beach vibe.

2. Wild creepers

For a wilderness-type vibe, invest in some creeping plants. Build your rockery upwards with larger rocks, using your Scottish pebbles or cobbles for decoration. Train creeping plants, such as sedum or ivy, around the large rocks; try a range of creeping plants for more variety. This option is a little more labour-intensive than some, as creeping plants will need to be cut back and retrained regularly as they grow.

3. Alpine style

Alpine-style rockeries are on-trend at the moment, and it's easy to see why. There's so much variety in Alpine plants, in both their texture and the colour and shape of their blooms, that you can create a stunning rockery with very few varieties. Many alpine plants are evergreen, so you can enjoy them the whole year round, plus, their small size and the fact that they are low in maintenance makes them ideal for indoor rockeries.

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4. Water features

The sound of running water is incredibly relaxing, and doesn't need to be limited to outdoor rockeries! Plenty of retailers sell kits to create your own indoor rockery, complete with a pump. The concept is similar to building an outdoor rockery with a water feature, piling up your rocks to hide the pump and arranging them artfully for the water to trickle down. Scottish pebbles and cobbles are the perfect choices of stone here: when wet, they change in colour and reflect the light beautifully.

5. Terrariums

Terrariums are great for areas with limited space, and there are lots of different styles available. They are a low maintenance indoor rockery/garden type, and you can choose between both open and closed varieties. Terrariums come in all different shapes and sizes and are suitable for a range of plants, including cacti, succulents, mosses, air plants and more. While the plants are a key feature, many people choose to accessorise with various accessories. Scottish pebbles and cobbles can add a great finishing touch as an extra splash of colour and style.

6. Statue still

An indoor rockery can be a great way to accentuate a statue or sculpture in your home. Using the statue as your centrepiece, arrange your Scottish pebbles artfully around it, adding the plants of your choice if desired.

7. Mosaics

Feeling creative? Use your Scottish pebbles or cobbles to create a flat mosaic design! By nature, these pebbles come in a variety of different shapes and colours; use them to make a geometric design or create the mosaic image of your choice. It's up to you how creative you decide to be!

Hopefully, this has given you a range of ideas for ways in which to use your Scottish cobbles or pebbles to create a fantastic indoor rockery. If you're looking to buy a bag for use in your own home, whether indoors or out, take a look at what Decorative Gardens has to offer.