1. Wash the container.
2. Cover the pot’s base with a thin layer of gravel.
3. Add the growing medium to the container and lightly compact it. Fill it up to 1/4 inch below the pot’s top.
4. Take plants out of the pots they are shipped in. If working with prickly succulents, wear gloves. Turn the pot upside down and attempt to carefully pry the plant out by loosening the soil around the pot’s edges using a knife.
5. Choose your perspective on your succulent dish garden. Place larger plants in the center and shorter ones around the sides of the dish garden if it will be visible from all angles. Place larger plants at the back and lesser ones near the front if the dish garden will be viewed from one side only.
6 After learning the layout of a succulent dish garden, you must determine the best location for each plant. Placing the plants on top of the dirt and then moving them around until you find the optimal placement is the simplest technique to determine the ideal location for each plant.
7. Next, remove enough soil to create holes that are sufficient for the size of the plants’ root balls.
8. Plant succulents at the same depth as you did when you first potted them.
9. After planting is complete, tighten up the dirt around the roots to help the plants take root.
10. To embellish and complete the dirt surface, add a layer of small stones on top.
11. Water your succulent dish garden slowly but don’t overwater it.
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.
Gather Materials for Your Succulent Garden
You want a succulent garden because it’s low-maintenance, right? If you have the necessary resources, creating a succulent garden is also rather straightforward.
- You eagerly anticipate showing off your garden space.
- The succulents you prefer (but you’ll get those later).
- a mix of organic matter and coarse drainage elements, such as sand, grit, pumice, perlite, small gravel, or broken granite, that has good drainage.
- a transplanting trowel
- gloves for gardening.
Know your plant hardiness zone
Extreme temperatures can be harmful to some succulent plants. For information on which succulents will thrive in your region, see your plant hardiness zone. In your zone, some plants will thrive more than others.
Note: Despite the frigid conditions, some succulents may thrive in your yard since they are more cold-hardy than others. Sedums and sempervivums, like hens and chicks, are extremely cold-hardy ground coverings and do not require indoor storage during the winter.
Find the right spot for your succulent garden
You must first identify the ideal location for your succulent garden before making any plant purchases or getting too far ahead of yourself. You’ll have a better sense of which succulents will flourish in the space and how many to buy after you know the size and amount of sunlight the area will receive.
The needs for sun and shade will change for different succulents. Succulents vary in their preference for shade, sun exposure, and full sun.
While aloe, aeoniums, and agave demand lots of sunlight, snake plants, jade plants, and other similar species may take moderate shade.
Ensure proper soil drainage
Poor drainage will force these plants to spend too much time in wet, soggy soil, which will lead to root rot. Succulents can also grow in rock gardens and demand sandy, well-drained soil.
You might have to go through a process of trial and error and run a few percolation tests in order to get a soil mixture with good drainage. Organic matter, such as compost, and coarse drainage materials, such as sand, grit, pumice, perlite, small gravel, or broken granite, should be included in a healthy soil mixture.
Play with succulent arrangements
While your plants are still in their pots, you should arrange them in the garden. By putting them in place, you can see the finished product and make any necessary design modifications.
While they are still in their nursery pots, moving your plants around for a more appealing appearance will be much simpler than replanting them.
You’re ready to proceed to the following step and construct your succulent garden once you’ve put your plants in place and are satisfied with the garden layout.
Transplant your succulents
Succulents might be difficult to transplant, yet they are hardy plants. Succulents often bounce back quickly from minor injuries, such as a few torn roots or a plant that has been moved about a bit.
Tap or brush the roots of your succulent after carefully removing it from the nursery pot to get rid of the soil. The nursery potting mix might occasionally have poor drainage, which can cause the soil to stick to the roots and keep them from accessing the water they require. It’s acceptable if you need to break or cut some of the roots in order to remove the nursery potting soil.
Place your succulents into the soil after letting the roots dry out for approximately a day if they are moist.
Watering and caring for your succulents
Before watering your succulent garden, let the roots a day or two to recover and adapt.
When the earth is fully dry, only water. Examine the first few inches of soil. Skip the watering if the ground is wet. However, if the soil is dry, water heavily and then wait a little before watering again. Every week or two, give your succulent garden a drink.
Root rot can affect your plants if you keep them in wet soil. Since root rot is considerably harder for them to recover from than dryness, it is preferable to submerge than overwater.
Check the leaves, as a pro tip. The leaves of an overwatered succulent will often appear mushy, transparent, and squishy. The leaves of a submerged succulent will appear shriveled or wrinkled.
Layering Your Container
- To keep the soil and roots from standing in water, line the bottom of the container with loose drainage material.
- To avoid sour soil, spread a thin layer of coarse charcoal over the ground.
- The container should be half full of a soil mixture that is humid but not wet.
Note: Squeeze a handful of dirt to check the appropriate level of soil moisture. If no water flows out but the soil holds its shape after being released, the moisture level is sufficient.
Planning Your Design
- Place the plants in the container temporarily and observe them.
- Examine your work from all angles, distances, and from all sides.
- Try out your ornaments. A few plants can be transformed into a tiny landscape by a figurine. Place the figurine among the plants to see this effect.
- Draw a short diagram of your preferred arrangement on paper or take a quick photo.
- Plants should be removed with care and placed aside.
Note: Keep in mind the location where you’ll show off your dish garden. Check the views all around it to determine if it will be visible from all sides. You only need to think about the view from the front or, at most, three sides if it will be placed near to a wall. Use the fact that it will sit in front of a mirror to your advantage. A different plant selection is advantageous for a dish garden when viewed from table level as opposed to eye level. Move the plants slowly until you find a pleasing arrangement.
Planting Your Dish Garden
- Start establishing your dish garden over time. adhere to your sketch.
- For each plant, create a tiny mound in the dish and cover it with roots. Prune a plant’s roots a little if it has a massive root system. To keep the plant in place, add a bit more soil to the area around the roots.
- Plant the other plants in the same manner as your sketch or image, then.
- Finish adding soil to the container.
- Mist the leaves and hydrate the soil.
- For two weeks, place your new dish garden in a warm, shady area to give the new transplants time to establish themselves.
Maintaining Your Dish Garden
- Several times every week, use your finger to check the soil’s moisture level. Ludicrously rinse with warm water.
- To ensure that the plants grow upright, turn the container every few days.
- Fertilize just occasionally. Plants that are over fertilized eventually overrun their container.
- Repot when the plants outgrow the container or after a year or so, when the nutrients in the soil start to deteriorate.
Keep in mind that most dish gardens lack drainage. The success of a dish garden hinges on appropriate irrigation.
Succulents in a glass bowl: are they viable?
It is simplest to use an unglazed porous material like a concrete bowl or terra cotta because they will both absorb some water. You may grow succulents in a glass bowl, but you need to be especially careful not to overwater them.
How should a succulent be placed inside a glass container?
Fill the jar’s base with potting soil.
- Fill the glass jars’ bases with potting soil once they have been cleaned and dried.
- Succulents should be taken out of their plastic containers and placed in the glass jar.
- To prevent the succulent from moving around, fill the remaining space in the jar with potting soil.
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.