Making succulent gardens for clients is one of my favorite things to do at the flower shop. The only problem: I always want to keep them for myself!
Succulents can seem intimidating, but these drought-resistant plants can be low maintenance and easy if you know what you’re doing. If you’re in the “I always forget to water my plants” camp, succulents may be your perfect match!
A few notes before we begin:
I’m not a succulent expert. {*wink* disclaimer *wink*}
One of the biggest sins well-intentioned succulent owners commit is over watering. Succulents have built-in water storage systems to help them thrive in dry climates, so watering too much or too often, or not having adequate drainage, can waterlog them and lead to rot. And there’s nothing cute about rotten succulents, y’all.
Most varieties thrive in lots of sunlight, but some can adapt to low light situations. If you’re making a succulent garden for inside your home, pick hearty varieties with bright green leaves, and save the gorgeous gray and blue ones for outdoor spaces.
Succulents need quick-draining soil. You can buy succulent potting mix at your local garden center, or you can save some cash and make a big batch of your own with equal parts light potting soil, sand and perlite.
You’ll need:
- A variety of succulents. I like to get a good mix of textures, shapes and heights for each succulent garden.
- A nice ceramic pot with drainage. Picking out planters is almost as fun as picking the succulents! Make sure the pots you choose have drainage holes in the bottom, and/or drip plates. Unglazed pots offer the best drainage.
- Rocks
- Light Potting Soil
- Sand
- Perlite
- Sheet moss (optional)
Okay, let’s do this!
- Make your succulent potting mix: mix equal parts light potting soil, sand and perlite in a large container and stir well. You can make a huge batch and store it in a large bucket with a lid, or just enough to fill the pot you’re working with.
- Build a drainage bed of rocks in the bottom of your planter. Extra water in the soil will run through this layer and out the drainage hole. If you’re dealing with a beast of a pot like the one I used here from West Elm, and you don’t want it to weigh a metric ton when you’re finished, mix the rocks with some orchid bark to fill some space and build up the base.
- Fill the rest of the planter with your DIY succulent potting mix.
- Remove your succulents from their plastic pots and carefully arrange them in the potting mix. If your succulents will live indoors, space them out just a hair; outdoor gardens like the one below can be potted closer together.
- Cover any visible soil on the top of your garden with sheet moss and/or extra rocks. This is an optional step, but makes everything look neat, clean and finished.
Care Tips:
Keep a spray bottle filled with clean water on hand to give the garden a good misting — enough to moisten the soil — once a week. This should be plenty to keep them happy and hydrated most of the year!
In summer months, or any time the soil feels extra dry, water them carefully with just enough to moisten — not soak — the soil. Let it dry completely before watering again.
If the leaves start to yellow, you may be over-watering.
It doesn’t hurt to give them a little sunshine once in a while! If your garden is looking sad, place it outside in an area with indirect sun for a few days. (C has had luck regrowing succulents that looked completely dead by placing them in a shaded area on the side of the house for several weeks.)
I’d love to see your succulent garden creations! Tag me on Instagram @keiralennox and I’ll do a round-up post with all your masterpieces. :)
Love this… and LOVE Succulents!
I’ve always heard that these are easy to maintain plants, but all of the ones I’ve had have died (I guess I got a brown thumb instead of a green one!) I’ve tried lots of things from the Internet to keep them alive. Any tips??
I love succulents! Some of the best houseplants around!
Like the little garden!!!
Great advice! I have always wanted to try one but overtime I go to buy them it says they need full sunlight. I am now guessing this is not the case =) Maybe this weekend I will give it a try. I love plants!
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Go for the bright green ones, and make sure they’re in a place in your home with some good natural light, and you should be fine! :) If they start to look a little sad, put them outside for a bit.
Love! I don’t have a green thumb and have been wanting something little for my work desk
Thank you for sharing this!!!! It’s something I’ve really wanted to do! :):)
Gorgeous, well done! I have wanted to make my own succulent garden so much, even more now that I’ve seen this post 😍😍😍
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I now have to start a succulent garden :) Great post!
I love this post! Thanks for your great tips :)
I love succulents!
Great idea! I love how it looks. Every home could use some plant babies.
Thanks for the tips and everything! I want my bedroom to be all white once I move and I feel like these plants will help add a nice but clean pop of color annnddd I just like the way they look lol.
The only thing I’m scared about is over watering 😳
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Love them! Really want one too! :)
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Thanks for the detailed post, Keira! I sometimes go crazy and make several, myself. I should just start giving them away as gifts or else turn into the crazy succulent lady. I suppose that I could have a worse title. ;-)
Great post! I have tons of succulents as well and they are so fun!
Pretty! I have been wanting to make one of these.
Awesome!!
I am one succulent obsessed gal. great post!
I love this! I’m a spring temp worker at Home Depot and I love all the succulents – they’re so cute and perfect for my plant-loving but plant-killing self. I wanted to make my own succulent garden but didn’t know how, so this post came at the perfect time and will definitely come in handy!
I’d love to see what you make!
love that these are easy maintains plants.
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