Want to make your own DIY fairy house planter? Here’s how to make a sweetly whimsical one using a terra cotta pot and other inexpensive items. It’s really easy, so why not give it a try?
If you’ve been on Pinterest or thumbed through decorating magazines lately, you know fairy houses and gardens are all the rage! They add such a fun touch to the garden, and I honestly like them better than yard gnomes. Yes, I know everyone loves gnomes, but they’ve been popular for so long that I am kind of ready to move on. And that’s why I think I just like these houses and gardens better because you get to imagine who or what lives there! 🙂 You know?
Supplies for your DIY fairy house planter – make it YOURS.
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I decided I wanted to make my fairy house to be a planter out in my front garden, so I figured the easiest way to do that was to start with a pot. Luckily, I have a large collection of different sizes of terra cotta pots scattered around my porch (because I replant things a lot). But, if you don’t already have one lying around, they are very inexpensive to purchase. (The one I ended up using for this project is 10″ across the top.)
I already had Gorilla glue, which I know works really well for outdoor use. One day when I was at the dollar store, I found bags of rocks and pebbles in the floral section (where the floral foam, silk flowers, and vases are located). So I grabbed a bag of small rocks for a dollar and a bag of green moss (well, actually I got 1 bag of green reindeer moss and 1 bag of brown but only used the green…) also for a dollar!
How I got my window for FREE! 🙂
My daughter was working on a project for school and we had to go to Joann fabric and all of their garden items were on sale, so that is where I got my resin door. It was on sale for 5.99 but it would be easy to make really cute DIY doors from popsicle or wooden sticks, too.
All of the fairy “supplies” were all jumbled together, and as I was looking, I noticed a perfect-sized window that had obviously fallen or was torn off one of the pre-made houses, since it still had bits of glue and paper on the back. A store employee was right there, so I asked her if I could buy the window. She laughed and said that I could just have it. Sweet! So I got my window for free!!!
By the way, I have included a complete list of the supplies I used at the bottom of this post.
Because all the items they had were so darned cute (and on clearance!), I also bought some fairy furniture (a small metal chair and resin table that looked like wood) to go along with my house.
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How to make the fairy house.
Step 1: Attach the door first.
To use Gorilla glue, one of the surfaces you are gluing needs to be dampened first. Use a spray bottle to wet the surface.
Put the glue on the door.
Adhere the door to the pot.
The directions state to let the glue dry for 30 minutes. Since I wanted to make sure it had a good seal, I used scrap wood and clamps to keep it firmly pressed. Trust me, those clamps are good for all sorts of projects!
This particular Gorilla glue dries white, so if you have a bunch that oozes out around the door, just trim it with a knife or scissors, but it can easily be covered up with bits of moss later, so, don’t worry, it doesn’t have to be exact.
Step 2: Attach the window.
Since the window is so light, I simply used the Gorilla glue, and it worked great. No clamping needed!
Step 3: Put on the stones.
Once the door is dry, begin adding the stones. You are probably wondering about the glue I’m using instead of Gorilla glue.
Because I didn’t want to hold the stones for 30 minutes while using Gorilla glue, I opted to use another glue we had, called 527 multi-use glue. I use it for almost everything. It dries clear and peels off fingers relatively easily, unlike Gorilla glue. 😉 And it worked great!
The key to adding the stones is to work on one side of the door at a time, otherwise the stones will slide off before they have enough time to set. Trust me, I learned this the hard way!
I actually let the stones dry overnight. I just propped the pot between a couple of heavy objects to keep it from rolling. So it took me 2 days to have all the stones in place and dry.
Here’s the left side:
And here’s the right side:
It looked okay, but it really bothered me that you could still see the pot between the gaps. So that’s where the magic of the moss comes in!
Step 4: Next, fill in the cracks with moss.
Just start at the bottom of one side and work your way up and then over to the next section. Simply squirt some glue in the larger gaps between the rocks and add small pieces of moss.
It can be more challenging to fill in the small gaps. So tear off a chunk and stuff it in, using a toothpick to make sure the moss gets down into the glue and crevices.
If you have moss growing near you, go ahead and use it. I don’t, and so ended up buying a bag. However, I really only used a tiny bit, so I have a lot left over to do another project! Yay!
See how nicely it filled in the gaps?
Fairy house done, but plant-less!
Here’s what the house looked like after I put on all of the moss and everything is dry.
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Add a plant and set your DIY fairy house out in the garden, so it’s ready for the fairies.
I tucked my fairy house into my front garden and planted a Bulbine inside the pot. I love the bright yellow flowers and long, thin leaves. Then, I added the outdoor seating and a large snail shell from my pond to complete the landscape.
List of supplies for my DIY fairy house.
Terra cotta pot (The one is used is 10″ across the top)
I love the look of my little fairy house in my garden! It was very simple and definitely inexpensive to make. So give it a try. It really is fun to do!
And when you do, leave me a comment and let me know how it goes!
Want more ideas on how to spruce up your yard? Check out these other fun DIY outdoor decorating ideas.
And if you’re looking for terrific gifts for your favorite gardener: Here’s our ultimate gardener gift guide!
Happy fairy house-making!
I was surprised there was only 1 or 2 questions about using a glue gun. Also with the price these days for terra cotta pots Im wondering if the same technique could be used on the polyurethane pots. I have had them outside year round (I live in Pa where we get winter) & they lasted for many , many yrs before I disposed of them, because they were just stained so bad from the dirt but never broken. Its also fun to use sticks & twigs you have outside for decorations.
I haven’t done this type of project with other types of pots. The only concern I would have is with the type of glue used and whether it would hold up in winter. I’m pretty sure glue from a glue gun would not – especially when adhering items as heavy as the rocks I used. But, you don’t know unless you try! 🙂 Who knows, the polyurethane planters may hold up just as well as the terra cotta. As far as planter prices, I always try to keep my eye out for used pots of all types when thrifting or at garage sales to keep my gardening obsession a bit more under control, budget-wise. 😉 If you use a polyurethane pot, please let me know how it worked!
Pam 🙂
Hi Pam – can you tell me where you got your supplies please?
I have links to everything in the post itself, but mainly I used Dollar Tree(rocks, moss), Joann Fabric(door & windows), and Walmart (flower pot & glue). ~Pam 🙂
This pot is really cool. I can’t wait to try it! Thank you for the idea😊
Glad you like it! 🙂
Does this come as a kit? And how much?
Really cute.
N
Hi Nancy,
This is not a kit. I purchased all the items separately. I do have Amazon links to all of the items I used at the bottom of the post so you can get them there or shop locally for similar ones. Have fun making it in your own style! 🙂
Pam
Hi Pam!! Loved your flower pot!! Hreat job and a really cool idea. I will try it!!
Thank you! I’m so glad you liked it. Have fun making your own! 🙂
I loved it too. It is amazing. I am going to make one..
I bet it would look cute to at a large saucer and glue elements in front of the door, like little gnomes and benches.
Yes, those would be a fun addition! 🙂
I love your pot! I will have to give it a try. I am into Fairies , hobbits & gnomes. Made a fairy garden using a half of stump turned over on its side . then did the garden scene with a house , trees and other items. Put a pond toward the back with solar rocks to look like water. My other item was a Gnome bar with painted wood floors , curved bar from a piece of branch. All the tables & seats were from small round pcs of wood with bark on them. Grape vines over the top of the stump. gnomes sitting at the bar & tables. with pop cans and bottles of wine on the bar. A dear head with rifles hung on the wall. patio with tables & stump seats gnomes sitting around. Entered at 2 fairs got best in show and 1place and peoples award in other fair. Have been offered $500.00 for it and $350.00 for fairy garden. None are for sale.
What a fun idea 🙂 There are so many possibilities with various settings, aren’t there?
That’s a wonderful flower pot idea. I have a lot of fairy garden stuff I’ll try my hands at one. Thanks for showing yours!
Miss Pam
I have done several of these pots with great success. I cover the entire pot with stones and my door and windows hang straight from the top of door or window to where it connects to the pot. The angle of the pot is tricky but it can make a difference in the looks of the project.
Keep up the good work!
Anthony C.
Pam, I wonder if you could tell me how tall your clay pot is? Also, The dimensions of your door & window that you used for your fairy house planter?
Thanks again
Hi GG! My pot is 9″ tall. The door is 5″ tall and the window is 2 1/2″ tall. I hope you have fun making your planter – it’s really fun! 🙂
Thank you for your clear pictures & instructions! And the resource list. I’ve never attempted anything like this, so the directions were great. I hope I can find Garden stuff at this time of year, but if not, I will make this a gift in Spring for my daughter’s birthday.
Try searching on Amazon or craft supply sites now that it’s cooler, and yes, the supplies should be in stores in the Spring. I’m sure your daughter will love it! 🙂
Miss Pam
I make these pots and use caulking tubes of “construction adhesive” .
It sticks and looks fine. The moss hides a multitude of mistakes. I also fit my stones a little tighter.
Thought you might give this a try!
Anthony C.
Hi Anthony! Using construction adhesive also sounds like a good choice. Thanks for mentioning it. 🙂
Quiero la misma puerta de hadas y no logro encontrarla por ningún lado, he visto varias, pero es que la que tu usaste es tan perfecta.. Soy de colombia
I tried this and it was a disaster.. I bought the same glue you used for the peebles and they all fell.. They would not stick to the flower pot and the glue would.not dry…
Oh no! That’s odd… I did it in sections with the pot laying on its side and then adding the pebbles and letting them dry somewhat. Then I would tackle the next section. Give it another try and see if you have better luck this time!
Why didn’t you use the all purpose glue for the door? I don’t have the gorilla glue. Could I use 527 all purpose for the door? Thanks!
Hi Jen. The door was pretty big and I wanted a good seal on the curved pot. I know gorilla glue is strong and I had some, so that’s why I used it. ? The 527 gluecwould probably work, too. I just wasn’t sure. Let me know how it goes! -Pam
You said the pot you used was 4.25”. Is that the measurement across the top of the pot? I’m a bit naive about how to measure it. It looks bigger in the picture. It’s hard for me to tell.
Thanks. It’s so cute and I am in love with all things fairy these days. Your instructions were wonderful.
I remeasured it and it is 10” across the top. Sorry for the confusion!
Isn’t that just the cutest thing ever. We love making fairy gardens and homes with our kids
Thank you for using my Fairy House planter. All the other fairy gardens were cute, too! 🙂
Pam, I am fairly sure that I will never make a fairyhouse. However, the directions and your way of explaining all the details are the best I have yet to run across. Congrats on a great website.
ConnieS
Thank you for the kind words, Connie! 🙂 Well, if you ever change your mind, at least you know you could make a fairy house, right? lol 🙂
The directions are the best! Thank you
You’re welcome, Gail! Thank you!
I love this little fairy house! To me, however, it doesn’t look finished. I would have taken the pebbles all the way around the pot, so it really looks like a house. Another idea is turn the pot upside down before decorating and maybe even fashion a thatch roof.
Kathy, I thought about using the pebbles all the way around, but I liked the way it looked with just the front done. Since it will be sitting in my garden, I hope over time the pot gets a more “rustic” patina that will help it blend in more. You could certainly flip the pot over – you’d definitely have more room for a door that way, but I wanted to use mine as a planter. Send me a picture if you do that, I’d love to see it.
I plan on turning mine upside down and making it. I want to put a solar light on the top and have mine on a step so I can see the step at night.
That’s a clever idea! Love it! 🙂
just adorable & i have to try this. thank you for showing how easy it is !
You’re welcome, Melba! Let me know how it goes!
Thanks for featuring my fairy house planter! 🙂
Thank you for showcasing my fairy house planter! 🙂 It really is easy to make!
I got brave and tried my own. Thank you for sharing yours. Was hoping I could post my picture for you but don’t know how.
Yay, Anne! I’m glad you tried it! Feel free to send your picture in an email. I’d love to see it! ? My email is pam@lifecreativelyorganized.com
Papatya peyzaj otomatik sulama What a cute planter, and a fun way to display a plant! I love how you added the crystals to the water spout. It turned out so cute!
Thanks for featuring my fairy house planter. It really is very easy to make! 🙂
I would like to try a seashell one with all kinds of seashore props. What do you think?
I think that sounds really pretty! 🙂 Send me a picture when you’re done – I’d love to see it!!!
Loved your tutorial , and the fairy pot is adorable ! I wonder if you have used E 6000 adhesive ?supposed to be flexible , wonder if it would work on clay pot .
Hi Mary,
I have not tried E 6000 adhesive. The one I used (527) is good for ceramics, woods, porcelain, glass, metal, etc., pretty much anything, so that is why I used it. I have used it in other projects and so I knew it worked well. I guess you’ll just need to see if it says anything about use on ceramics on the label of the E 6000… Let me know what you find out! ~ Pam 🙂
Thanks for featuring my fairy house! I’m glad you liked it! 🙂
Thanks for featuring my fairy house! I’m glad you liked it! 🙂
Thanks for featuring my fairy house! I’m glad you liked it! 🙂
Thanks for sharing my fairy planter tutorial. 🙂
I LOVE this idea!! Thank you so much for sharing! My husband and I are having a tree in our front yard cut down because it’s dying, so we’re turning it into a giant fairy/gnome house. (We’re leaving 15′ of the trunk.) I’m definitely making some of these pots and putting them at the base!
Oh that sounds really cute! I’d love to see a photo when it’s all done! 🙂
Precious! How kind of you to share details and beautiful photos! I have several fairy gardens and would love to create some of these to further enchant. These would absolutely be great gifts! What caring soul would not be delighted with this whimsical and creative gift made from the heart! Thank you once again!
Thank you so much for your kind words, Deb! These would make great gifts and they really are very easy to make! I hope you enjoy making them 🙂
I really love what you’ve done and plan on getting all the supplies today! My question is does the glue loosen up due to moisture from watering the potted plant and/or the rain? I had been told I needed to seal the inside of any pot that I planned to do anything with on the outside (such as painting, etc). Thanks!
Hello Kathryn, thanks for the kind words! 🙂 So far I haven’t had any problems with the glues. Both glues I used dry quite hard. The Gorilla glue states on the label that it is waterproof. And I have used the 527 multipurpose glue on other projects that ended up outside and they have held up well. You could always put a plant still in its nursery pot in the planter, too, which would also cut down on moisture… When you make yours, let me know what you decide. I would like to know 🙂
I live in Ohio, is there anything I need to do to make sure it can survive Ohio winters outdooors?
Hi Sue, we lived in Michigan for about 10 years and I always brought in my terra cotta planters for the winter so they wouldn’t crack. To be safe, I would bring it in if possible. 🙂
Love this project. Going to do it with my granddaughter. What size pot did you use. What is the height of the pot
Glad you like it, Caryl! I used a 4.25″ pot. I purchased the door at Joann Fabric and then brought it home and dug around in my collection of pots to see if I had any that would work with it. This one seemed to be the right height. 🙂
Where do you get the fairy door?
I got it at Joann Fabric, but I have a link on the post for ones at Amazon, too.
Hi! Just curious to whether you think the rocks have to sit for so long…I’d like to try to do this for a library DIY program but our max time is 2 hrs.
I’m a librarian, too (used to be a children’s librarian so I know all about those time limits!!! 😉 )and unfortunately it does take a LONG time for the rocks to dry with the glue. However, I would experiment with maybe hot glue, which would, of course, dry much faster. Please let me know if it does! I live in Florida and it’s very hot all summer and we have a lot of rain, soI wanted to make sure the rocks would stick while being outside all the time 🙂
Love your fairy pot, I am going to give it a try, Thanks you for sharing
Thank you! It really is easy to make. Just be patient and make sure the glue is dry on one side before you start gluing the other side 🙂
Love it! Any reason hot glue wouldn’t work?
I live in Florida and it rains A LOT here. I didn’t think hot glue would hold up as well with our high heat and rain, but give it a try – it might work fine 🙂
You’ve inspired me! I’m definitely going to do this tomorrow with a little fairy door I already made with polymer clay. Thanks so much for your instructions and great photos!
Thanks, Jennifer! It really is easy to make! 🙂
This is adorable, I think I’ll be giving it a try. I have a ton of Fairy stuff, I live in a Sr. Bldg, so only have a small area in front of my apt. for gardening. I do the decorating in pots, that are all Fairy gardens, I do have some some directly on the ground peeking out from under plants. This cute planter will be a great addition. Only one thing I’d change, I’d spray paint the table & chairs to a color that could be seen better. The bronzy color that is here doesn’t really show up unless you are really looking at the details closely. Nice job & idea.
Thank you, Pat! I agree – the furniture blends in with the mulch, doesn’t it? That may have to be my next quick project 🙂
This is adorable and will go great with my other flower pot Fairy Garden. Thank you!
I’m glad you like it, Sandee! They really are very easy to make :).