Sand Art in a Flower Pot

This is a pretty straightforward indoor gardening project that some of you might already be familiar with. I remember making layered jars with different spices and herbs in primary school. It's colourful, fun and cheerful.

All you need is colored sand, glass or plastic container and a potted plant.

Colored sand is quite expensive and you will need several different colors, so I'm presenting you with an alternative- colored table salt. It's fine to use salt alternative at the bottom, but have some regular sand on hand to use at the very top where sand will come in contact with the soil.

I purchased several bags of table salt (fine salt) and used good quality, gel food dyes. It's pretty simple, you have to dissolve small amount of dye in few teaspoons of water and add salt in batches. Use a whisk to mix everything evenly, if you want less saturated color, just add more salt, if more saturated color - add more dye. Spread salt on a baking sheet covered in aluminium foil or baking paper and leave it out to dry for 1-2 days. You can speed it up by drying it in the oven. I tried at 120°C for 30min and ended up with nicely dried salt. Pass the dried salt through a sieve to break the clumps. Salt will have sand-like texture.

I had to use empty tape roll to elevate the planter and it also worked as a protection against sand. Once planter is inside, the roots won't touch any salt at the bottom, thus keeping the plant safe.

Pretty simple, spoon layer after layer, create designs if you are able. If you are using salt, stop 2-3 cm before you get to the top of the inside planter. Either leave that space free, or layer it with actual sand.