Even when they grow large and have many distinct variations, succulents are adorable and charming. It’s as if they’re beckoning you to collect and exhibit them in your home. Of course, a gorgeous succulent requires a beautiful container, therefore today’s topic will be that. Let’s get started! We’ve found a ton of awesome DIY succulent pot ideas that we’d love to share with you.
Although terra cotta pots are not the most attractive pots, they are excellent for plants, thus many people like them over plastic or ceramic pots. So how could you improve their appearance? It’s simple. Simply paint the building’s exterior. Get some white acrylic paint and a razor blade (or something sharp to etch the pots with) if you like the geometric patterns seen on fun365.orientaltrading, and then have fun decorating your little succulent pots.
Check out this clay petal succulent planter from beautifulmess if you enjoy bright ideas. This kind of project is doable using polymer clay, a palette knife, and a planter (concrete or ceramic). An oven is also necessary. Making pea-sized clay balls in all the hues, you first begin to arrange them on the planter at the top. Each clay ball is pressed with the palette knife before being pulled downward to form a petal shape. Continue until the entire planter is coated in clay petals, and then proceed as directed by the oven-baking instructions.
One option is to decorate already-existing succulent pots, but if you like, you may even create your very own pots from scratch. If you enjoy making these tiny clay pots, we can help you from beginning to end. Make sure you have all the necessary tools and supplies on hand. A rolling pin, baking paper, a ruler, a knife, a smoothing tool, and cardboard templates are also required. Oven bake clay is also required.
You may even get away with using mason jars as succulent pots if you’re using imitation succulent plants because you don’t need to care about the material the pots are made of or whether they have drainage holes at the bottom. Actually, if you’re extremely careful when watering them, real plants might also thrive in jars. In any case, you might want to give the jars a little flair. As seen on lollyjane, painting them is one possibility.
Another choice is to use colored rope to adorn your mason jar succulent planters, as suggested on designmom. You must soak the twine in white glue to ensure that it adheres and doesn’t come off. Then, just wrap the twine around the jar until it is completely covered. You can mix and match different colors anyway you like.
If you don’t have much space for potted succulents on your desk or shelves, you may always hang them on the wall. Check out lilyardor’s DIY wall pots. Although they’re not exactly incredibly simple to make, they can surely be worth the effort because they look so trendy and chic. Wondering what supplies you’ll need for such a project? A rolling pin, some porcelain clay, balloons, thick rubber bands, resin, plaster, 4 screws, spray paint, pushpins, a straw, a drill, and some used belts, to be specific.
Making a wonderful tiny succulent container only requires a small amount of discarded wood. Since it’s essentially just a little box, assembling it shouldn’t be difficult. Let’s now discuss the customizing possibilities. There is a lesson on thesucculenteclectic that explains how to paint a blackboard heart onto your wooden planter. It would be a sweet Valentine’s Day idea.
Planters are just one of the many fascinating things that can be made out of concrete, which is a very adaptable material. Look at how stylish this concrete succulent planter is. These are the materials you’ll need to create something similar: a tiny plastic container, a non-stick baking sheet, concrete mix, a tool for stirring the mix, scissors, and sandpaper or tac. The concrete needs to set for a few days.
Because they don’t take up any room on counters, tables, desks, or shelves, wall planters are not only very useful but also very attractive. Some of them look fairly great and serve as both wall decorations and plants, like this DIY succulent wall planter. You’ll need a wooden box, some plastic wrap, acrylic paint, super glue, soil, succulents, and moss to construct something similar. The box is kept dry and leaks are avoided by the plastic wrap.
The pots you currently own can be decorated in a variety of adorable and simple ways. For instance, you could create miniature hessian planter bags similar to these. Are they not cute? Burlap cloth, a ruler, a pen, scissors, and a sewing machine are all you need for this project. The bags can also be sewn by hand, although it would take more time. Make sure the bags are slightly bigger and higher than the pots.
Check out these adorable flower pot cozies from sotakhandmade while we’re talking about little bags for succulent pots. They’re really adorable, and you can make them out of patterned fabric or even mix and match various hues and patterns to produce more intriguing patterns. Have fun combining different succulents to give each container its own personality.
As you may already be aware, picture frames can be used in a variety of creative ways, one of which is as a succulent planter. Check out the video tutorial first since the concept is rather unique and requires some preparation. With the help of this succulent frame planter, you can present your tiny plants in a unique and eye-catching way. There are a ton of creative ways to modify the frame itself.
Tree trunks (from trees that have been cut down) are occasionally transformed into planters, which you may have seen before in gardens. That can serve as inspiration for making your own miniature tree trunk succulent planter. You will need a small tree trunk (about 4-5 inches in diameter), a drill, a 2 Forstner drill bit, sandpaper, painter’s tape, spray paint, and varnish to complete it.
How may a succulent plant be styled?
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 do you put on succulent planter tops?
Colorful pebbles, Polish white pebbles, Brown wood pebbles, gravels, sand, crushed charcoal, rocks, and green moss are some of the most well-liked topdressings for succulents.
 
Topdressing is an excellent ornament. They come in a variety of colors and sizes, which is ideal if you want your indoor containers to have a more elegant appearance. Topdressing plays a significant role in the overall look of many outdoor environments. They may have an impact on the message you choose to make. Each type of topsoil should be carefully chosen depending on its usage and overall design, from the rugged appearance of gravel to the pop of color supplied by various types of moss.
To give variation to the collection, it’s entertaining to include various varieties of top dressing. You can apply very distinct top treatments on similar-appearing hybrids. It makes it simpler for you to recognize your plants.
More importantly, topdressing can make taking care of your plant on a daily basis much simpler. A chunky top dressing, such as pebbles or gravel, might be beneficial for plants that are prone to root rot and fungus problems in order to prevent water from sitting against the lower leaves. Since succulent soil mix is extremely light and has a tendency to fly everywhere easily, heavy topdressing also helps soil stay in place when watering.
Avoid using moss or other non-porous materials as topdressing since they retain moisture and keep the soil wet for a very long time and all succulents demand a well-drained medium.
 
How should a succulent be dressed?
Have you ever wondered why there is a layer of beautiful pebbles on top of so many succulent arrangements? Have you ever overheard someone discussing top dressing for succulents and wondered what it was or what it was used for? Pebbles are used as a layer for succulents for more reasons than just aesthetics. Learn more about top dressing and the benefits of using it on your succulents by reading on.
What Is Top Dressing?
In agriculture and gardening, top dressing is utilized. A top dressing is typically a thin, even layer of rich soil, compost, manure, or worm castings that is added to a garden bed, lawn, or field soon before planting. After that, it is tilled into the ground so that the seeds or plants can grow there. After the plants are set up, a top dressing for succulents is a uniform coating of inorganic material, such as pebbles, gravel, crushed rock, or broken seashells, that is spread over the top of the soil. The top dressing of a succulent is applied and kept in place, completely covering the soil to a depth of about a third of an inch. For plants growing in the ground or in containers, this offers a number of advantages.
Benefits of Top Dressing for Succulents
Succulents can benefit from inorganic top dressing in numerous ways:
- Succulent top dressing aids in soil temperature regulation, protecting the roots from extreme temperature swings.
- Light colored gravel or pebbles reflect heat, which is good in warmer climes, while dark colors absorb heat more readily, warming the soil and encouraging root growth.
- Pebbles reduce the powerful force of water from rain or irrigation, which stops soil erosion. This prevents soil from dripping onto your plants’ leaves.
- An inorganic top dressing that is at least 1/3 inch thick inhibits insects from laying their eggs in the moist organic soil. This is the most effective approach to get rid of bothersome gnats in your house.
- Weed barriers are created by top treatments.
- To prevent plastic pots and containers from blowing away, it gives them weight.
- Before newly planted succulents fully root into the surrounding soil matrix, top dressing can assist keep them upright.
And let’s face it, uncovered earth looks less appealing than a coating of ornamental stones. I suggest putting top dressing in my advice on how to cultivate succulents because of all these benefits.
Top Dressing for Succulents
Succulent top dressings are available in a variety of hues, textures, and sizes. We typically think of ornamental pebbles, but there are other materials you can use, including sand, gravel, crushed granite, glass, fire glass, seashells, crushed coral, small stones, and pieces of semi-precious stones like amethyst, tiger eye, and quartz.
Consider your top dressing choices carefully. Make sure the sand is clean or rinsed before using it. Your plants will suffer because of the high salt content of beach sand. And ensure that the “You utilize colorfast colorful rocks that are not just powder-coated. Some landscape rocks offered for sale in home improvement stores have a color coating that peels off, coloring the plants and creating a mess. Use any designated as “Despite the fact that you can also find excellent items in aquarium stores or even fire glass for decorative fire features, top dressing. For inspiration, browse the selection of delicious top dressings in my Amazon store. Use of either is secure for succulent plants.
Succulent top dressings and pebbles come in a wide range of hues, from muted earth tones to neon-bright hues of green, blue, yellow succulent, and purple that are rarely seen in nature. What should you use then? The solution that appeals to you the most is the best one. Seriously. Who is to say that you’ll appreciate my taste if I show you and explain the factors I take into account while selecting the best dressings? I want a natural appearance that highlights the plant and harmonizes the hues and textures of the succulent and its container. But if you prefer the aesthetic of silvery-green succulents paired with pink DayGlo pebbles, rock on!
Choosing Top Dressing for Succulents
I compare succulent top dressing to jewels for clothing. It shouldn’t overpower the aesthetic or offer unnecessary intrigue. Debra Lee Baldwin may have said it best. She compares the mat for a painting to ornamental pebbles for succulent plants. The container serves as the frame, the top dressing as the mat, and the succulents as the artwork in her opinion.
To demonstrate the difference, I photographed an Echeveria Perle von Nurnberg in a ceramic succulent pot with three different top dressings. I chose black sand with a hint of glitter because the pot has a shiny, black rim. The lower portion of the pot is a shiny tan tint. I decided on caramel-colored sand and tan pebbles with a matte texture. Isn’t the distinction each creates amazing? Consider the Echeveria PVN with a top dressing that is plum-toned.
Always keep the effect you hope to achieve in mind when you choose your top dressing. Your choice of pebbles, sand, and rocks may differ from if you want to showcase the plant if the pot is particularly cool and you want to draw attention to it.
A Matter of Scale
Almost always, when people refer to top dressing for succulents, they are referring to pea gravel or decorative pebbles that are around 1/51/4 inch in size. That is the size of the tan stones I used, which are displayed with the Echeveria PVN in the middle of the trio above. But you have to admit, I find the sand to be very attractive. Although it is more challenging to reuse than pebbles for different plants, I think it looks fantastic for a single planting.
Although most people wouldn’t think to wear something this bulky, doesn’t it look magnificent? Susan Aach produced this ceramic pot by hand. She combined a Ferocactus with it and added a top dressing with a thick, rough texture to really tie the two together. I like how it looks.
Another coupling of a Susan Aach pot with a sizable top dressing is seen here. Together, they perfectly accentuate this stunning, variegated Echeveria Compton Carousel. When matching her pots, plants, and top dressings, she really displays her artistic eye. She strikes a balance between the pots’ and the plants’ aesthetic appeal to create a real synergy. Visit Susan Aach’s website to learn more about her handcrafted ceramics and look at my encounter with her. Susan, thank you for allowing us to use your lovely photos!
Are There Problems Using Top Dressing for Succulents?
If you’ve never added stones for succulents to your pots, you can have the following inquiries:
Does the soil retain moisture because of the pebbles? Regular readers are aware that choosing a fast-draining succulent soil is crucial to the wellbeing of your plants. This cannot be negotiated. How about including the pebbles now? It is true that top dressings for succulents stop the soil from evaporating and losing moisture to the air. However, you want the water to get beyond the plant’s roots and through the soil, where it can be absorbed. The value of the to dressing and a good soil more than makes up for the small quantity of evaporation wasted.
Does the top dressing restrict the soil’s and the roots’ ability to breathe? For a succulent plant to survive, its roots require oxygen. The roots may acquire oxygen thanks to tiny air pockets in the arid soil. Even a top layer of sand, pebbles, or gravel allows air to enter the soil and nourish the roots of plants. Insufficient drainage causes too much water to permeate the soil, removing air spaces and “flood the plant. Top dressing does not impede your plant’s ability to get enough oxygen.
If you can’t touch the earth, how can you tell when your succulent plants need watering? Many succulent growers focus their watering decisions on how dry their soil feels. This approach is much better for me than sticking to a rigid timetable. Even better, water your succulents when they show signs of needing it rather than before. My ideal tool to measure the water content of soil is a chopstick “moisture gauge Place the chopstick in the ground. Do not water if it emerges feeling or looking moist or with earth clinging to it. It’s time to water when it comes out clean and dry!
Where to Buy Pebbles for Succulents?
Where can I acquire succulent top dressings now that I’ve explained why and how to apply them? I can suggest a few excellent sources. First, there is a part of my Amazon store dedicated to top dressing for succulents. Sand to gravel are represented by a variety of hues, styles, and sizes. Additionally, Mountain Crest Gardens provides a great selection of rocks and sand for succulents. With the aforementioned cautions in mind, think about home supply stores, pet stores, and aquarium supply stores. Make inventive decisions!
Will you use top dressing to finish your succulent planters now that you are aware of all the advantages? I’m curious to know! Let me know what you think or if you have any questions by leaving a comment below.
P.P.S. Would you consider joining my Facebook group for cactus lovers? We discuss design, identification, propagation, and care of succulents. They’re a friendly bunch who would love to meet you!