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Creating a succulent garden is a fun and easy way to add a touch of greenery to your space. Start by choosing a variety of succulent plants that thrive in your climate. Select a container with good drainage and fill it with well-draining soil. Arrange the plants in a pleasing design, considering their size, color, and texture. Water the garden sparingly, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings. Place the garden in a location with plenty of sunlight. Remember to prune and fertilize the plants as needed. With a little care, your succulent garden will thrive and bring beauty to your home or garden.
Succulent container gardens are a popular choice because of their modern, sculptural appearance. These plants require minimal maintenance, making it a great project for those wanting to add a touch of nature to their home or office.
Succulent plants are identified by their fleshy leaves, stems, and roots that store moisture. With so many different species available, it’s easy to create a unique display of colors and forms. Cacti, which store moisture in their stems, are often included in a modern succulent garden.
What You Will Need:
- Planting container
- Succulent plants (an odd number is most pleasing)
- Cactus soil or potting soil combined with coarse sand
- Garden gloves (some plants are sharp)
- Decorative pebbles
- Water
Step 1: Selecting Plants
Garden centers usually display a variety of succulents and containers together for convenience. Any container can work for a succulent garden, but they are often planted in broad, shallow pots. Some people prefer to choose a container first and then the plants to fill it, while others start with the plants and select an appropriately sized container.
For an indoor succulent garden, choose “miniature” plants that are scaled for a smaller container. Larger, more mature plants are better suited to outdoor pots and gardens. Follow the popular container garden formula by selecting a thriller, filler, and spiller plant to create an attractive display.
When selecting plants, consider the color of the leaves rather than the flower blooms.
- Thriller: Choose a plant that is tall, large, or dramatically different from the rest.
- Filler: Select plants that add a variety of height, color, and texture to complement the thriller.
- Spiller: These plants cover the edge of the pot and may even trail down the side.
Choose a variety of plants based on color, height, and texture of the leaves to create a stunning succulent container garden.
When creating a succulent garden, there are different color schemes to consider. A monochromatic mix uses plants that are all the same shade of green, while a warm monochromatic scheme incorporates orange-colored succulents. An analogous mix adds neighboring colors on the color wheel, while a complementary scheme pairs colors that are opposite on the wheel. It’s important to choose a container with a drainage hole and soil that drains quickly to avoid rotting roots. A mixture of garden or potting soil and coarse sand is recommended, and decorative pebbles can be added as a final layer.
You can easily find specialty soil mixtures. It’s a good idea to save any leftover soil for future use when you need to shift plants to a bigger container.
Image Credit: Walmart
Step 4: Planting
It’s better to choose an odd number of plants as it looks more visually appealing than even numbers. Choose one plant as the focal point, usually the biggest or the most colorful one, and place it in the middle or near the center of the container. Wear gloves, remove the plant from its nursery pot, and place it in the bowl. Similarly, place the remaining plants around the edges of the container. You can plant them closely; just leave a gap of about 1/2 inch between them. Fill in the gaps with soil and press firmly. As an option, you can use a layer of pebbles to cover the top of the soil for a touch of design. You can also add a larger ornamental stone or shell as an accent.
Small pebbles and shells can add texture and color to your ornamental garden.
Image Credit: Bachman’s
Step 5: Watering
Water plants thoroughly until a small amount drips out of the drainage hole. If you’re using a container without drainage holes, such as a glass terrarium bowl, watch the water level carefully and stop watering as soon as you notice it beginning to pool at the bottom. Don’t let the plant roots sit in excess water as it can kill succulent plants. Place the completed succulent garden in a sunny location and enjoy!
Basic Care for Succulents
Succulents need a minimum of 5 to 6 hours of direct sunlight each day and an average indoor temperature between 65 and 80 F. Add water when the soil feels dry when you insert your fingertip all the way to the bottom of the soil layer. If you’re unsure whether plants need water, gently squeeze a leaf – it should feel firm. If the leaves are soft or squishy, the plant needs moisture. Fertilize plants with a succulent plant food during the spring and summer months.