Naturally bold, beautiful, and resistant to heat, succulents have become a staple of Southern décor. A potted arrangement of these luscious, green plants is a great way to add color and interest to any living space, indoors or out. Creating this fresh look can be as easy as picking up a few items from your local nursery or home improvement store. It is a great way to repurpose individual succulents, especially those you may have received as a gift or party favor. The following tips and tricks will discuss everything you need to create the perfect succulent planter for your home or garden.
Choose a container. The ideal dish for planting succulents is wide and shallow. While the typical container is made of terra cotta, a concrete, glazed ceramic, or even metal container can be a stylish, creative twist on the classic look. Remember to ensure that whichever container you choose has the proper drainage holes.
Use the right soil. Because succulents are desert plants, standard potting soil alone does not afford the conditions necessary for the plant to thrive. Instead, use a mixture of three parts all-purpose potting soil to one part fine gravel. Another option is to do away with the gravel altogether and choose a potting soil designed specifically for desert plants.
Create your arrangement. When shopping for succulents, choose plants that have a variety of shapes, colors, and textures. Place your largest, tallest plant at the back of the dish and work your way forward, placing similar shapes and textures together. Resist the urge to arrange the plants in a gradient of color or height; the arrangement should still look natural. Once satisfied with the placement of your succulents, you are ready to plant!
Top it off. After the succulents are securely planted, spread aquarium rocks around the plants, covering the surface of the soil. Get creative by using interesting colors and shapes, using them in conjunction with the features of your container to create a unique look that fits your personality.
Continued Care. The best part about succulents is that they easily fit into a low maintenance lifestyle. Place your planter in a sunny spot and water about once a week. Pay attention to the color and overall health of the plants. If the plant looks bleached or yellowed, it may be time to reduce the amount of time it spends in direct sunlight. It is also a good idea to fertilize the plants during the summer and fall months with a balanced fertilizer, diluted to ¼ strength.
