DIY Frog Hotel
Frogs are more than just fun visitors to your garden, they’re helpful garden companions, too! These amphibians are natural pest controllers, feeding on insects and other small pests that make themselves at home among your plants.
During the hot summer months, frogs need cool, damp, sheltered places to escape the heat and protect themselves from predators and extreme weather. That’s where a frog hotel comes in!
A frog hotel is a DIY habitat that provides frogs and toads with shelter, shade, moisture and a safe place to rest. With just a planter, a few plants, stones and some PVC pipes, you can create a welcoming habitat right in your own backyard.
Why Build a Frog Hotel?
Frogs are especially helpful for gardeners because they eat a wide variety of insects. Depending on the species and available food, a single frog can consume up to 100 insects in one night!
Frogs also need safe places to hide during the day. Unlike many garden visitors, they don’t spend their days basking in the sun. They prefer cool, damp, shaded spaces where they can avoid drying out and stay protected from predators.
Pennsylvania is home to 18 native species of frogs and toads, so there are plenty of potential visitors for your new garden habitat!
What You'll Need
The great thing about this project is that you can customize it to fit your garden and the supplies you have available!
Materials
- A large planter
- Potting or garden soil
- 2–4 PVC pipes of different widths and lengths
- PVC pipe elbows
- Shade-loving plants
- Large river stones
- Small pebbles
- A small saucer
- Solar-powered light (optional)
- Garden decor (optional)
The PVC pipes and elbows can be purchased at a local hardware store. Have the pipes cut to different lengths before beginning your project.
For our frog hotel, we used a 15-inch-wide planter, two 2-inch-wide PVC pipes cut to 12 inches long, and one 1-inch-wide PVC pipe cut to 16 inches long. Each pipe was fitted with a 90-degree PVC elbow.
For plants, choose varieties that can tolerate the conditions of your chosen location. Annuals, perennials and even some houseplants can work well. We used Caladium 'White Christmas' and Oxalis, both of which help create a lush environment.
How to Make a Frog Hotel
Step 1: Add Your First Layer of Soil
Start by filling your planter about one-third of the way with potting soil. Pack the soil down as you go to create a sturdy base for the PVC pipes.
We used our Esbenshade's Potting Mix, mixed right here in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.
Step 2: Add the PVC Pipes
Place your PVC pipes toward the back of the planter, leaving plenty of room in the front for plants and decorations.
The pipes create little tunnels where frogs can enter and take shelter. Using pipes of different widths and heights creates several potential hiding spots for frogs of different sizes.
As you continue adding soil, pack it firmly around and between the pipes to keep them secure.
Step 3: Fill the Planter
Continue adding potting mix until the planter is nearly full, leaving about an inch of space below the rim.
Make sure the PVC pipes remain upright and secure as you work.
Step 4: Add Shade-Loving Plants
Now for the fun part... add your plants!
Choose one or two shade-loving plants that will thrive in the location where you plan to keep your frog hotel. Plants help create additional shade and cover while also making the habitat look right at home in your garden.
We used a 4-inch Caladium 'White Christmas' and a 2-inch Oxalis. Since our caladium had multiple plants in the pot, we divided it into two plants to create a more balanced look.
Step 5: Add Some Decorations
Your frog hotel doesn't have to be boring!
Add a small solar-powered light, garden stakes or other decorative elements to personalize it.
Solar-powered lights can be especially useful because insects are naturally attracted to light at night, potentially creating an easy food source for visiting frogs.
Just make sure any decorations are securely placed.
Step 6: Create a Frog-Friendly Watering Spot
Place a small saucer in the center of the planter and press it into the soil so it sits securely.
Fill the saucer with small pebbles. The pebbles provide frogs with places to perch and help give them secure footing around the water.
Then, add larger river stones throughout the planter. These make great perching and hiding spots while adding a natural look to your frog hotel.
Step 7: Give It a Good Drink
Once everything is in place, thoroughly water the entire frog hotel.
Frogs need moisture to stay healthy, so keeping the habitat damp is one of the most important parts of maintaining your frog hotel. During hot summer weather, check it daily and add water as needed.
Make sure there is always fresh water available in the saucer, but avoid allowing the entire planter to become waterlogged.
Step 8: Find the Perfect Location
Place your frog hotel in a shaded, sheltered area of your yard or garden.
A location near existing vegetation, a pond or another source of moisture can be especially inviting. Avoid placing it in an area that receives intense afternoon sun, as the goal is to create a cool retreat from the heat.
Then comes the hardest part: waiting for your new guests to arrive!
How to Maintain Your Frog Hotel
Once your frog hotel is built, it doesn't require much work, but a little maintenance will help keep it inviting.
- Keep it damp. Check the soil and water saucer regularly, especially during hot, dry weather.
- Refresh the water. Empty and refill the saucer as needed to keep the water fresh and clean.
- Watch your plants. Keep your shade-loving plants watered so they continue providing cover.
- Keep the entrances clear. Make sure leaves, soil or other debris aren't blocking the PVC pipe openings.
- Let nature do its thing. You may not see a frog immediately. Give your hotel time, and let local wildlife discover it naturally.
A Small Project That Makes a Big Difference
A frog hotel is an easy and creative way to make your garden a little more welcoming to local wildlife. By providing frogs with a cool, damp place to rest and hide, you're helping create a more diverse and balanced garden ecosystem.
And the benefits go both ways! Frogs get a safe place to escape the summer heat, while your garden gets a natural pest controller.
It's also a fun project for gardeners of all ages. Build one with your kids, place it near a patio or pond and spend some time watching to see who checks in.
Ready to build your own frog hotel?
Stop by Esbenshade's Garden Centers for the plants, soil, stones, planters and garden accessories you'll need to get started. The only supplies we don't carry for this project are the PVC pipes and elbows, which can be found at your local hardware store.
Happy gardening and happy frog watching!