How To Decorate With Succulent Plants

Despite the fact that most people appreciate having live plants in their homes, they don’t have any because they are worried they would kill them and lose their purpose. Decorate with succulents to bring some greenery into your room. They are a simple plant to grow and are available in a huge range of forms and hues of green. I’m offering a collection of 13 suggestions for using succulents in your home decor to encourage you to cultivate succulents.

I recently demonstrated how to grow succulents in a cigar box. I embellished my succulent planter with some moss and little seashells. The task at hand is incredibly simple to finish.

This hanging globe terrariums project is one of my favorite planting endeavors. Choosing the teeny succulents that go inside is so much fun. For added appeal, I once more added a few tiny seashells.

I adore Carolyn’s assignment: glitter stenciled succulent pots. I must attempt to make these!

Using items from the thrift store, DIY Inspired demonstrates how to create adorable succulent pots.

Craftberry Bush created adorable driftwood planters for succulents, which she then put on the wall.

These ombre pots from The Dempster Logbook are so adorable! Pretty adorable, no? There are so many varieties of succulents to pick from!

In little containers, succulents look so attractive. These were embellished by DIY Candy using Sharpies, then once the succulents were planted, glass marbles were added.

Terra clay pots were painted with white and gold paint by Pastels & Macarons before having small cactus placed inside.

From Country Chic Cottage, these faux succulent pots hang on the wall. I’ve seen these built using real succulents, but hanging them on the wall makes it hard to water them. adore these

These incredibly lovely succulent magnets were also produced by Country Chic Cottage. She is so shrewd!

These foam sheet succulents from Craftberry Bush are another inventive creation. She reveals the recipe!

See how to make this unique wreath at Finding Silver Pennies. It’s not your typical wreath.

What complements succulents?

To increase height above succulent plants that cling to the ground, companion planting is frequently used. Plants that can withstand drought, like the osteospermum, make suitable choices. As with the perennial Santa Barbara daisy, the flowers on this daisy may stand upright or trail across your succulents. Allow them to trail among agave and aloe, two succulents that grow taller.

Succulents go well with ornamental grasses, which frequently have autumn blossoms and interest throughout the winter. There are numerous types with maintenance requirements comparable to many succulent plants. If they are placed properly, ornamental grasses can be cultivated to offer afternoon shade.

Even while many succulents require full-day sunlight, afternoon shade can occasionally prevent leaf burn. To find out if your succulents benefit from ornamentals that provide shade, check their information on type. Although shorter, blue fescue grass might make a lovely companion for your succulents.

In addition to your succulent beds, yarrow, lavender, salvia, and rosemary make excellent flowering herbs to cultivate. They require the same growing circumstances as the majority of succulents that are buried. Plant these herbs near the rear of the bed or all around it, depending on your design. Grow them in the center of the bed if it is open on all sides.

How are succulent arrangements made indoors?

The advantages of indoor plants are endless.

They increase mood, air quality, and even focus and concentration. Succulents are among the simplest and most adaptable houseplants to include into your decor, and making your own indoor succulent garden is a wonderful way to do it.

You may make your own arrangement of lush and beautiful succulents in just a few easy steps.

  • Select a Container The versatility of indoor succulent gardens is one of their most beautiful features. Succulents may be grown in a variety of sizes and shapes, thus almost any container can be used as a succulent planter. Succulents don’t require a deep container to support their roots because of their slow growth, therefore even the most unusual container can be used as a planter. Wide, shallow bowls or pots are popular, but you may also construct your own garden out of a wine glass, a wooden trough, a mug, a shadow box, an old bucket, a candle holder, or even half of a huge shell.
  • Ensure drainage It’s crucial that your container has adequate drainage because succulents don’t want their roots to be damp. If at all possible, the container’s bottom should be pierced with a hole, but you can also ensure proper drainage by placing 1-2 inches of gravel in the pot’s base. To prevent soil from spilling out of a hole, cover it with a small piece of screening or a scrap of newspaper.
  • Fill in the Base With a succulent-friendly soil, like a cactus and succulent potting mix with plenty of drainage, fill in the base of your pot or planting container. Sand and vermiculite or other similar minerals can be added to standard potting soil to enhance drainage and make it suitable for a succulent garden.
  • Decide on Your Plants To give the layout considerable visual interest, choose plants with a variety of forms, colors, and textures for your succulent garden. However, make sure that all of the plants require a similar amount of care so that they may coexist in harmony. Because they grow slowly, plants don’t mind being packed closely together, so take your time positioning them around the pot. A trailing plant might look lovely next to the edge of the pot, or you might choose to place smaller plants all around a larger specimen.
  • Complete the Soil After placing the plants in their respective locations in your garden pot, add more dirt and lightly compact it around each plant. However, avoid planting the plants too deeply or burying them, since this could lead to root rot. A top dressing layer of gravel, sand, glass marbles, sea glass, or crushed shells can be a lovely method to tie the garden together. Top off the planter with a decorative material if desired.
  • Attach extras Accessorizing succulent gardens can be enjoyable, and you could wish to use miniature props to transform your indoor garden into a fairy world. Other ideas include inserting a larger “boulder” or huge seashell into the arrangement or adding moss as a final touch around the plants.
  • Sprout the Garden Following planting, sprinkle the garden gently with a spray bottle to water it, being careful not to overwater the plants. Overwatering succulents can cause them to decay, therefore it is preferable to let them dry out a bit rather than keep them damp. When they receive fresh water, they will recover if they are dry and will start to shrivel or wrinkle.
  • Lie back and enjoy! Even inside, full sun or a location where they will receive many hours of good sunshine each day are optimal for succulent gardens. However, stay away from placing the garden close to a heating or cooling vent that could cause temperature extremes. On a kitchen table, the corner of a desk, or a mantelpiece, a succulent garden can look beautiful. You may design a succulent garden to be the ideal match everywhere you want to add a touch of greenery to your home’s decor!

Can succulents be grown in just rocks?

It should be obvious that succulents will thrive when planted in rocks given these circumstances. They drain very well and do not retain water, which eliminates the possibility of root rot. This does not include another component of soil, though, since all plants need nutrients.

Although succulents are not particularly hungry plants, they do need certain nutrients to grow. Other micronutrients like zinc or iron are needed in smaller levels, whereas macronutrients like nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium are essential. The plant won’t grow at all or last very long without these nutrients.

By their very nature, rocks don’t release nutrients quickly enough to keep the plants alive. They are composed of minerals, but since they decompose so slowly over time, they are not appropriate for growing on their own. Additionally, they often don’t retain enough moisture, allowing the roots to quickly dry out after draining practically instantly.

Sadly, this means that succulents cannot thrive permanently without soil in rocks. If not given regular care, they may survive for several weeks or even months on the nutrients found in the stems and leaves.

Can I combine several succulents?

Recently, I’ve received several inquiries from folks wondering how much room should exist between the succulents in their arrangement. The reply is, “It depends.” Succulents are perfectly capable of being planted quite near to one another.

Succulents grow more slowly when planted closely together, helping the arrangement to better maintain its original layout. When they are close together, watering them can be more difficult. But this is a really fantastic approach to plant your succulents, particularly if you’re creating the arrangement as a present or for an event.

A nice illustration of succulents that are firmly packed together is this clam shell planter at Waterwise Botanicals.

Succulents are generally slow growers, but if you give them a bit extra room to spread out, they’ll grow a little faster and eventually fill the space. If you want your plants to grow larger or reproduce more readily on their own, this is a fantastic alternative. I suggest using this slightly dispersed strategy if you are just getting started with succulents.

It is simpler to water the succulents correctly when there is room between the plants. The soil will dry up more quickly due to the improved air flow. We are aware that succulents thrive in rapidly draining soil!

Remember that you don’t want the succulents to be too close together or in a pot that is much bigger than they are.

Succulents will prioritize generating roots over growing larger if they are given too much room. A good distance between plants, in my opinion, is between 1/2 and 1.

Size

Choose a pot that is just big enough for the plant to grow in, but not too big. The circumference of the appropriate pot is 5–10% greater than the size of the plant. Choose pots with a maximum excess space around the sides of an inch or two. The delicate roots will spread if the pot is too big before the plant has a chance to develop. There won’t be any room for the roots to spread in a pot that is too tiny.

Style

The ideal pot should not only complement your style and decor but also the physical properties of the plant. Tall pots look excellent with upright-growing succulents, like aloe. Low-growing cultivars, like Echeveria, look fantastic in little pots. Not to mention spillers with trailing growth tendencies like String of Pearls. Spillers in shallow pots or hanging plants look fantastic and grow well.

Material

There are many different types of materials for pots. The most prevalent materials are wood, terracotta, metal, ceramic, and resin. Terracotta or ceramic pots work best for succulent plants. Both of these materials allow for proper air and water circulation because they are both breathable. Just keep in mind that both ceramic and terracotta are weighty, especially after adding soil and plants.

Pick resin or plastic pots for larger plants, especially ones you plan to move around. Your back will thank you for using those lighter pots as you move or reposition plants.

Drainage

Before you plant and cultivate succulents, the most important thing to understand is that they don’t like a lot of water. Even before you develop a watering schedule, this is relevant. Without adequate drainage, water that accumulates at the bottom of a container without anywhere to go may cause root rot in your succulent.

The ideal pots for succulents, regardless of design, are planters with drainage holes in the bottom. Since many succulent planters lack drainage holes, you can use any of them as long as you keep in mind to water succulents sparingly and keep an eye on them frequently.

How are succulents and cacti displayed?

Cacti and succulents make for naturally appealing home decor thanks to their distinctive shapes and vivid blossoms.

There is no disputing that our obsession with succulents and cactus plants has gotten out of hand. They are the best indoor plants, require very little care, and are appropriate for all levels of gardeners (yes, even those of you with less-than-green thumbs).

There are so many inventive and fashionable ways to display cacti and succulents at home that they become decor in their own right thanks to their distinctive shapes and vibrant blossoms. Continue reading to learn some inventive ideas to incorporate cactus plants into your home’s interior design, from a beautiful table centerpiece to a miniature succulent Christmas tree.

On the shelf: Why not think about using cacti as bookends to dress up your bookshelf?

Tea time: A kitsch option for repurposing strange ceramics or op-shop finds is to put a cactus in a favorite old tea cup (or maybe you have an heirloom cup and saucer laying around). This is a wonderful present idea, too!

Looking for a unique center piece for your next table setting? Check out these table toppers. A crystal bowl filled with carefully arranged cacti will form an eye-catching and durable display.

Tiny succulents and cacti don’t require much water, which is why they aren’t restricted to living in pots. Plants on spoons or in tiny ceramic vases can be used to create a still life similar to this one.

Cactus cluster: We appreciate the notion of potting miniature cacti and grouping several pots together, as in this arrangement, as opposed to just planting one huge cactus.

Consider using baskets instead of pots to design a chic space for your collection of cacti. The textured cactus plants pair well with the organic, woven materials.

Look no farther than this brilliant mini Christmas tree you can construct solely from succulents if you’ve been looking for the ideal Christmas tree for a small home or apartment but haven’t yet found it.

Learn how to create your own >

Selecting Succulents

Succulents are a ton of fun to mix and match in your favorite container because they come in such a wide variety of wonderful forms, sizes, and colors. We began with two Desert Escapesix-packs, each of which had a unique combination of plants.

Did you know that the thick, fleshy leaves that succulents utilize to retain moisture in arid regions are what give them their name?

What is Desert Escape?

The professionals at Costa Farms put developed a unique selection of cacti and succulents called Desert Escape. These kinds were all picked for their attractiveness and toughness. Although Desert Escape plants come in a range of sizes, tabletop containers work best with the smaller varieties.

Although succulents can be found all over the world, the majority of cultivated varieties originate in Africa and South America.

Getting Started

A succulent dish is quite simple to make. First, add potting soil to a sizable terra cotta dish. Succulents detest moist soil, so search for a mixture that has perlite or sand to aid with drainage. Make a hole in the middle of the container, then insert your tallest succulent inside. We positioned a Flapjack kalanchoe in the middle of this area because it has a potential height range of 12 to 24 inches.

You don’t need to be concerned about an unplanned invasion or pandemic because succulents have relatively few insect or disease issues.

Tease the Roots

Some of your succulents may have a densely packed root ball when you remove them from their grower’s containers. Before placing the plant into the dirt, carefully separate the roots with your fingers. They will be inspired to sprout new growth as a result.

A succulent leaf that has been broken off can be rooted to grow a new plant. After allowing the leaf to heal for a few days, plant it in soil and watch it grow.

Mix Colors and Textures

There are little differences between working with annuals and perennials and succulents. Plants with contrasting colors and textures look best when together. Here, for instance, we combined the vibrant, spherical leaves of portulacaria with broad, flat-leaved succulents like echeveria.

Although not all succulents are cacti, cacti are succulents. Cacti are only defined as succulents having spines.

Space Properly

Despite the temptation to crowd your succulents together, it’s vital to provide each plant enough space to spread out as it matures. We gave the plants in our bowl a three-inch separation. This gives the container a polished appearance straight away while giving the plants room to grow.

Much like other plants, succulents also produce blooms. They may not bloom until they are fully developed, but they will ultimately bloom.

Water Thoroughly

After planting succulents, make sure to immediately water them. This aids in removing air pockets from around their roots and provides them with a much-needed drink following transplantation. Succulents appreciate watering whenever the soil seems dry to the touch after they’ve adjusted into their new place.

Succulents that are cold hardy can be grown in northern landscapes. Two examples are sedums and hens and chicks.

Wash Away Excess Soil

You could find some potting dirt stuck between the leaves of low-growing succulents like echeveria after planting them. Although the plant won’t be harmed, it won’t look good, so we advise spritzing the plant with water to clear away any extra soil that may be hiding between the leaves.

Succulents can be grown anywhere; you don’t need to live somewhere dry. As long as they receive enough sunlight and have proper drainage, these plants will thrive even in rainy areas.

Find the Sun

Sun worshipers are succulents. Therefore, it’s crucial to put your finished bowl in a spot that gets at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight every day. Also keep in mind that most succulents cannot withstand freezing temperatures, so bring them inside and place them in a sunny area before the first frost.

Collecting succulents is very popular. Additionally, you have access to a nearly limitless variety of succulent species because they are found in over 60 different plant families. These incredible plants will keep you interested for life.

Watch it Grow

Your succulents will quickly fill in the spaces between one another as they develop. Just 7 weeks after planting, you can see how lush and beautiful the plants have grown in this picture. To help the plants develop more quickly, we didn’t take any additional measures. We only watered when the soil felt dry to the touch after leaving the container in the sunlight. We’ll bring the pot inside for the winter in the fall.

Because succulents come in such a wide range of forms, textures, and hues, it’s simple to create a distinctive design by combining various varieties to make a living tapestry.