Escape the chaos, and create your sanctuary! 13 easy & affordable Zen garden ideas to transform your backyard into a haven of peace. Read on to learn how to create a calm and relaxing space in your garden for the body and mind.
Backyard living spaces should be a relaxing space to get away from the everyday. When we lived in our former home, we made our backyard as much of an oasis as we could given the property and space we had.
Since moving, this home has it all, and one of my favorite outdoor living spaces is the backyard zen garden. I never thought I needed a backyard zen garden before but now that we have one? We totally needed one! But the best part is even the smallest of spaces can accommodate one.
Want to enjoy a backyard filled with peace and serenity too? Learn how to create a zen garden with these simple tips.
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Zen Garden Ideas in Spring – Watch the Video
About My Zen Garden
In the traditional sense, my backyard zen garden is not a true zen garden, but it’s pretty zen to me so I’m going with it. And I wish I could take credit for designing it, but it was here when we moved in.
So what is a Zen Garden?
Traditionally, zen gardens (also known as Japanese rock gardens or dry landscape gardens) are typically small, enclosed spaces made with rocks or raked sand, gravel, stone, pebbles, and carefully pruned shrubs. It is a garden designed to aid with contemplation and relaxation and is mostly comprised of hardscaping without a water feature. Zen gardens traditionally feature seven primary features:
- Rocks and Gravel
- Sand or Gravel Patterns
- Minimalist, Easy-Care Plants
- Bridges and Lanterns
- Symbolism
- Meditative Spaces
- Dry Landscape
Traditional zen garden design principles aim to evoke a sense of harmony, balance, and mindfulness. To me, a zen garden should have these elements in some form, but also have things that bring you peace and serenity.
Does that mean you have to strictly follow these elements? No, because your zen garden should reflect your personality, preferences, and sense of style.
Our Japanese Zen Garden
Our Japanese Zen Garden is such a tranquil spot. We have this beautiful stone wall with steps leading up to a grassy area, and it’s got a koi tree sculpture, benches, and some really lovely shrubs and trees. Staddle stones and a few garden statues give it a nice, grounded feel.
The landscape rocks are arranged so thoughtfully, and I suspect there’s a bit of feng shui going on, since the house was designed with that in mind. And the koi pond? It’s amazing! The waterfall sound is so calming, and I spend a lot of time on the back porch, especially when everything’s blooming in spring.
The pond was empty when we moved in, so we got some small koi. They’re so much fun – really personable, and we’ve named them after everyone in the family. Of course, being a huge plant lover, I’ve also added containers with flowers. I’m planning to add a lot more, but for now, I’m happy with the potted plants I already had.
Japanese Zen Garden Ideas: The Benefits
As a plant and flower enthusiast, a Japanese zen garden wasn’t initially on my radar. I assumed we lacked the space and it didn’t align with my organic aesthetic. However, having one now, I’m surprised by how much I enjoy it. It’s become my go-to spot for mental breaks, a place for Chris and I to unwind after a long day, and our final stop after a property wine tour.
If you’ve got some space to play around with, I highly suggest adding a backyard zen garden to your outdoor living space. The benefits of having a peaceful garden like this include:
- Relaxation and stress relief
- Improved focus and concentration
- Mindfulness and meditation
- Aesthetic enjoyment
- Connection with nature
- Cultural and historical appreciation
But even if you lack space, you can still create a mini zen garden using a planter with some rocks.
How Do I Build a Zen Garden in My Backyard?
Many Japanese zen gardens are also enclosed by walls. If you don’t have an enclosed garden space, you can create your own using a bamboo screen, fence panel, or lattice fence around your garden, or on at least one side. Or you can use planters that have small evergreen shrubs or trees to help make a natural wall. And if you enclose the garden completely, add a gate for easy access.
Zen Garden Ideas: How to Create a Space for Inner Peace
So now that we enclosed the space, let’s talk about how create your own zen garden. Although we didn’t design ours here, they are not hard to make. There are lots of beautiful stone garden ideas out there and you can draw your inspiration from a little online research. While most zen gardens don’t have a lot of plants and flowers, I’m all about it. So it’s zen to me to have them in this peaceful garden.
Japanese Zen Garden Ideas: Supplies Needed
- Sand or gravel: This will be the base of your garden. They’ll help level the ground and will provide a surface for rocks and plants to sit on.
- Rocks: Choose a variety of rocks that are interesting and aesthetically pleasing to you. Larger rocks can be used as anchors for the garden, while smaller rocks can be used to fill in gaps and create patterns.
- Plants: Zen gardens often feature small, low-maintenance plants such as moss, bamboo, and dwarf conifers.
- Rake: A rake is used to create patterns in the sand or gravel, such as ripples or concentric circles.
The landscape rocks used in our garden were a little rough on my dogs’ paws when they’d run up the stairs to access the back lawn. We found circular stepping stones in the back woods on our property that the former homeowners used here at one point, laid them out in an aesthetically pleasing way, and eventually dug these in so they are level to the ground.
Step-By-Step Guide to Making a Beautiful DIY Zen Garden in the Backyard
Before starting, design your space. It does not have to be a large garden room. A small space will work just as well and probably cost a lot less.
Choose a Zen Garden Site
Find a location in your yard that is flat with good drainage. If it’s not completely flat, you’ll need to level the area. If you have a very small space or don’t want to permanently alter your property, you can also try making a container zen garden inside of a large planter, metal tub or similar container.
Lay the Foundation
Next, lay down a layer of sand or gravel and use the rake to create patterns so you know where to lay the different decorative rocks and gravel. You can also do a layer of weed block below the sand and gravel to help keep weeds from popping through. This can help make maintaining your zen garden even easier.
Add Larger Rocks & Gravel
Follow your design and place the rocks in the garden, arranging them in a way that feels harmonious to you. The nice thing about a zen garden is that it’s easy to change up the design of your rocks and gravel over time, so your layout is never really set in stone (see what I did there?).
Add Easy-Care, Low-Maintenance Plants
Finally, add the plants, that will thrive in the climate conditions you have. Check for how much sun the space gets before purchasing plants so you get the right plants for that microclimate. Many people like to use plants like ferns, grasses and moss within a zen garden, but you can really use whatever plants work for your space and location. Because I love flowers so much, I added floral containers to my backyard zen garden.
Consider Water Features
You may also want to consider adding elements such as a water feature or a bench to enhance the peaceful atmosphere of your garden. I love our backyard koi pond, but a simple water fountain or even just a bird bath can be a lovely addition. Once your zen garden is complete, you can use it as a space for meditation, contemplation, or simply to relax and enjoy the beauty of nature.
13 Zen Garden Ideas For Your Backyard
While we’ve explored the foundations of traditional zen gardens, I believe the true essence lies in creating a personal sanctuary. While traditional elements are important, incorporating elements that bring you peace is key. The minimalist zen garden is evolving, with many homeowners adding ponds, fish, flowers, and waterfalls.
You don’t need to include everything, but you can certainly draw inspiration to create your unique zen garden. Here are some Japanese garden design ideas to get you started.
1. Rock and sand garden
If your backyard doesn’t get a lot of sun, or if you’re new to keeping plants alive, rocks and sand can make a lovely zen garden in the backyard. If you don’t want to, you don’t need to include any plants at all! Create beautiful designs in the sand and use a combination of rocks for an aesthetically pleasing design.
2. Raked gravel garden
If you’ve ever seen one of those tiny desktop zen gardens that come with a tiny rake, then you can picture what a raked gravel garden looks like. This is a great way to use your creativity in your zen garden because you can rake new patterns into your gravel or sand whenever inspiration strikes.
3. Dry landscape garden
A dry landscape garden is a common Japanese garden design that features rocks, gravel and sand. Unlike some other zen gardens, it does not include any water features like ponds or streams. This minimalist garden design is peaceful and beautiful – and requires very little maintenance!
4. Moss garden
In a moss garden design, moss is the primary ground cover (rather than rocks, gravel or bark mulch). This design creates a lush, green carpet across your garden area that feels really peaceful and is also easy to maintain.
5. Stone lanterns and basins
Many traditional zen garden designs include statues and other pieces of stonework, such as stone lanterns and stone basins. These elements pair well with natural stone but also give you an opportunity to add some symbolism to your garden, by choosing a design that you love or that holds special meaning to you.
6. Koi pond
My koi pond is one of my favorite features of our backyard zen garden! I love to hear the sound of the water and visit with the fish. It’s surprisingly easy to add a koi pond to your garden, but you can also achieve a similar effect with free-standing water fountains and other water features.
And by the way, if you don’t have room to add a small pond and want one, check out these water feature ideas that are perfect for any size space.
7. Wooden bridge
Bridges and pathways are traditional features of zen gardens. I love the idea of adding a wooden bridge connecting different parts of a garden. We have a bridge that extends over our front pond garden that creates a lookout to feed the fish and see what’s happening in the pond.
8. Garden pathways
Adding walkways and pathways to your zen garden encourages strolls and can also make it easier to get from one part of the garden to another without disrupting your gravel, rocks and sand. We added these concrete stepping stones so our dogs could more easily enjoy the space and I love the way they look!
9. Pagoda or teahouse
If you have space to add a small pagoda or teahouse, these can be wonderful additions to a garden space. Many zen garden designs include small stone or wooden pagodas, which are traditional, tiered structures in zen gardens. But you can also add a teahouse (like a small gazebo) and create a space to enjoy your garden in any weather. Or you can find the same as small statues.
10. Garden lighting
Lighting is a key part of any zen garden. Lanterns are common additions to a zen garden design, but you can incorporate lots of other lighting, too, including citronella candles, hanging globe lights and solar lights along garden pathways.
11. Tended trees and shrubs
Adding small trees and shrubs to a zen garden is a wonderful way to add some color while still keeping the garden minimalist. Keep in mind that when you plant in rocks they conduct heat and can cook the roots of your plants in the heat of summer. I learned this the hard way the first year we lived in our home. There was a beautiful tree planted in the rocks and NJ experienced a very hot dry summer. The plant did not survive.
12. Container gardens
If you, like me, want to fill your peaceful garden with more color and floral scents, then don’t be afraid to make a zen garden design of your own! Flowers planted in containers are a great way to do this because you can move the containers around to change up the design and change your plants seasonally, too.
13. BONUS: Zen Garden Ideas I Don’t Recommend
You’ll often see bamboo suggested for zen gardens, and yes, it’s easy and fast-growing. But trust me, you don’t want it. We’ve seen the invasive side of it up close – a neighbor’s bamboo has spread like crazy underground, popping up everywhere.
Sure, there are clumping bamboos that are supposed to be safe. But honestly, it’s a gamble. Most people don’t read plant tags carefully, and you could end up with the invasive kind without realizing it. Even trying to contain it in a pot is risky. To keep things simple and protect your garden, I say skip bamboo entirely and choose something less problematic.
Japanese Rock Garden Planting Tip
As an aside, if you do add plants and flowers, keep in mind that the roots will cook underneath rocks in the summer, especially if it gets a lot of sun. We had a small beautiful tree that succumbed last summer from excessive heat and drought.
It was really sad to lose it too because the growing habit was quite beautiful and it added a lot of texture to the space. If you want to plant directly in the ground, I suggest keeping landscape rocks off the base of the plant spanning its width to keep the roots from cooking.
Zen Garden Ideas: Maintaining Your Space
One of the best things about zen gardens is that they are relatively low maintenance, but that doesn’t mean you don’t have to care for them at all. Here are some essential practices for keeping your Zen garden in beautiful condition:
Raking and Gravel Maintenance
Regularly rake the gravel or sand in your zen garden to maintain (or change) its intricate patterns. The act of raking is not only practical for keeping the surface even but is also a meditative practice that contributes to the Zen philosophy.
You can try raking the gravel in calming patterns, like concentric circles or soft waves. You’ll also want to occasionally replenish the gravel in your garden, as weather, animals and foot traffic can cause displacement over time. You’d be surprised how much the rocks get kicked around or jostled after a dog walks through the space.
I recently learned that some of the rocks in our zen garden were imported from China by the former homeowner. So we’ve been trying to care for these rocks and keep them in place so they don’t get lost. They are irreplaceable!
Pruning and Care of Plants
If your zen garden includes plants, then you will have to dedicate time to their care. Prune and trim trees and shrubs regularly to maintain their shape and prevent overgrowth. Deadhead flowers to encourage additional growth. Make sure to water all plants appropriately according to their needs.
Remove Debris
Sweep away any accumulated debris or fallen leaves, and give your rocks or and other stone decorative elements a good spray with a hose or even a power washer. You’ll also want to make seasonal changes to your zen garden, including moving container plants indoors and potentially covering your garden beds throughout the winter to protect any sand, gravel and rocks.
How to Create a Mini Zen Garden in Small Spaces
If you want to keep things budget-friendly or don’t have a backyard or a large outdoor space, you can still create a small zen garden in your home. Here’s how:
- Choose a container: Look for a shallow container that is large enough to accommodate your desired garden elements. A shallow tray, dish, or even a shallow box can be used.
- Fill the container with sand or gravel: Fill the container with sand or gravel, leaving enough space for other elements.
- Add rocks and stones: Arrange rocks and stones in the sand or gravel in a way that is pleasing to you. You can create patterns or simply place them in a random arrangement.
- Add plants: Small succulent plants, moss, or miniature bamboo are good choices for a small zen garden. Choose plants that will thrive in the conditions of your container and that will not grow too large.
- Add other elements: Consider adding elements such as a small fountain, a statue, or a candle to enhance the atmosphere of your garden.
- Use a rake: A small rake, such as a desk or table rake, can be used to create patterns in the sand or gravel.
A small zen garden can be an attractive and calming addition to any room in your home and is a great way to bring the peacefulness of nature into your living space.
More Budget-Friendly Zen Garden Ideas
Creating a zen garden on a budget is possible. Here are some tips and suggestions that can help you create your own zen garden without breaking the bank.
- Create the garden yourself and don’t hire a landscaper to help you. This is more work for you but you can save a lot of money doing it yourself.
- Design a small container garden with zen garden ideas. This will keep your project smaller scale in both size, scope, and price.
- Look for deals on materials. Shop around. Check out Facebook Marketplace or the Habitat for Humanity Restore for materials.
Final Thoughts About Zen Garden Ideas
The transformation from a yard without a tranquil space to one with a zen garden has been profound. I now understand the importance of having a place dedicated to peace and reflection. If you’re considering creating your own zen garden, remember that while traditional elements provide a foundation, the true beauty lies in personalization. Make it your own, incorporate what resonates with you, and create a space that truly brings you tranquility. It will be a gift to yourself you won’t regret.
Would you add a zen garden to your outdoor living spaces? Let’s chat about it more in the comments below. And if you have one, do you have any tips or recommendations you can share?
To learn more about zen gardens, read this article from Washington State University Cooperative Extension.
Need more garden design inspiration? Check out some of my posts here:
Thank you for visiting the blog today!
Enjoy your day! xo
