How to: DIY Succulent Garden

Succulent gardens are not only low-maintenance, but they are fun and easy to make as well. So, add a pop of green to your home this spring with a DIY succulent garden!

You’ll need a couple things to get started:

  1. Container or Pot
  2. Succulent Plants
  3. Succulent Potting Soil
  4. Decorations (optional)

Container or Pot

The great thing about succulent plants is that you can put them in just about any kind of pot or container. It is however, recommended that you use a pot or container with holes for drainage at the bottom, as succulents don’t do well with too much moisture. Terracotta, stone, or ceramic pots will work just fine!

Succulent Plants

Close up of tiny succulents in diy concrete pots in scandinavian style home

When choosing which succulent plants to use, keep in mind the environment your garden will be in. Different succulents need different levels of sunlight and water, and some fare better indoors than others.

For aesthetics, the recommendation is to have one tall plant (focal plant), a couple shorter plants (filler plants), and at least one cascading plant.

Types of recommended succulents:

  1. Echeveria: The crown jewels of the rosette-forming succulents, easy-care Echeveria come in a rainbow of colors and can be easily found in most nurseries.
  2. Sedum (Stonecrop): These low-growing succulents are best used as ground covers, tucked between rocks, or planted to trail over the edges of containers.
  3. Aeonium: The fleshy rosettes of aeonium come in a rainbow of colors and take little water to thrive. With their bold forms and upright growth habit, they’re a natural choice for focal plants in garden beds and containers.
  4. Kalanchoe: The leaves of Kalanchoe vary in appearance, and can be paddle-shaped or can resemble fuzzy elephant ears. They grow well in full sun or light shade, and thrive with little care.
  5. Senecio Rowleyanus (String of Pearls): The cylindrical silvery-blue leaves of this low-growing succulent thrive year-round in mild climates. This plant is a great cascading succulent for your garden!

Potting Soil

Photo of a Graptopetalum succulent pot plant against a white wall

Most people find that it is easiest to buy regular potting soil at a nursery, while others opt to make their own. Fill up your container about halfway with soil, and gently pat down to keep the soil dense and compact.
Gently remove your succulents from their original pots, and bury them in the new soil so their roots are fully submerged. You can cluster your succulents close together for a dense garden, or leave room for decor between them if desired!

Decorations

Two succulents in concrete pot. Gift tag with hand drawn hearts.

Decorating your succulent garden is totally optional, but let’s be real – it adds the cutest touch! Some fun ways to add a pop to your garden:

  • Wrap string, ribbon or yarn around your succulent pot or container.
  • Use stickers, paints, or pictures to decorate the pot.
  • Add small rocks or pebbles to the surface of the soil (not only does this look cute, but it keeps your soil damp and insulated as well!)
  • Place sea shells, figurines, or any other water-resistant decor in the pot among the plants.

Watering

Garden watering can on white boards against greens. Close up blue watering can

The best way to water your succulents is to fill a spray bottle with water, and mist the plants with water each week. Different succulent plants require different amounts of water to survive, so make sure you adjust according to your plants’ needs.

And Voilà! Your very own DIY succulent garden. Place it in your home, garden, or office to enjoy the natural beauty of these beautiful plants year-round.

P.S. Don’t forget to snap a photo of your creation, post it to Facebook or Instagram, and tag Boku Superfood!

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