Potting up a brand new container is one in every of my favourite gardening actions. There’s no creativity in weeding or watering, so crafting new preparations is an opportunity to flex my artistic muscle groups and consider one thing out of the field.
Succulents are the best candidates for this activity. There may be virtually infinite versatility between species, with totally different shapes, colours, and kinds to work with. However regardless of this versatility, they often respect the identical soil circumstances and have the identical watering wants.
You don’t want to fret about pairing companions or one dwelling on the expense of the opposite – they’ll all stay fortunately collectively with out fuss.
Achieve some inspiration from these lovely succulent container association concepts, together with some recommendations on the right way to plant them.
No Waste Containers
In case you have a ceramic or terra cotta container you like, don’t let it go to waste when it cracks. So long as a salvageable part is giant sufficient to suit some potting soil, you’ll be able to create a dramatic association with succulent crops.
On this container, structural desert succulents and cacti are planted collectively and match the texture of the cracked pot. The stones fill in empty gaps of soil and create a mini-landscape that offers your previous pots new life.
Various Heights
When arranging a container, you’ll be able to observe just a few design guidelines to create one thing visually spectacular. A kind of is emphasizing type by various the heights of your crops. Sadly, this may be robust to do with compact succulents that always stick low to the soil. As an alternative, develop low-growing succulents with tall, lanky ones for distinction.
This association makes use of asymmetrical peak with a small Portulacaria to steadiness the scale of the container beneath. This additionally helps the big Echeveria rosette stand out extra, somewhat than mixing in with the opposite succulents of the identical peak.
Cottagecore Allure
Whether or not you’ve fallen in love with the cottagecore aesthetic or just have just a few previous teapots you wish to do away with, that is the best way to do it. Succulents are the right dimension for these recycled teapots, creating an incredible container function with out additional upkeep.
When you do wish to do that mixture, it’s vital to contemplate drainage. Succulents don’t like sitting in soggy soil and wish cautious watering and adequate drainage to forestall rot. Drill just a few holes within the backside of the teapot earlier than including any soil to keep away from any points in a while.
Cactus Association
Desert crops are on development in the mean time, not only for their low-maintenance and waterwise traits but additionally for his or her architectural and dramatic look. This potted cactus backyard (with a sharp Haworthiopsis thrown within the combine) emphasizes the spikes and shapes of every one, with added texture from the sculptural rocks.
It is a good way to make use of shallow containers or dishes which are robust to fill. As cacti and a few succulents have shallow root techniques, they don’t thoughts being planted in shorter containers (so long as there’s adequate drainage). You may even attempt rising your individual cacti for the association from seed!
Complementary Colours
Probably the most thrilling elements of selecting succulents for an association is the array of colours on provide. You’re sure to seek out one thing you fall in love with, from minimal silvery greys to vibrant lime greens to moody purples, and contrasting colours on the identical plant.
This pot makes coloration the star, pairing complementary colours like inexperienced and purple with purple and yellow. These contrasts intensify every coloration, making a bolder look. Retaining the container easy and repeating the rosette shapes of Echeveria and Sempervivum additionally helps the differentiating issue – their colours – stand out.
Whimsical Decor
Succulent preparations don’t have to simply include crops. Add a way of caprice and enjoyable to your design with just a few decorations nestled between them. This small cottage and picket fence flip the whole container into an lovely show that simply invitations you to look nearer.
There’s no restrict to your creativity and creativeness whenever you increase past crops. You may sculpt your individual décor in order for you one thing particular, or search on-line for small ornaments that steadiness together with your container. Aquarium décor usually works properly (I like to make use of them in terrariums, too).
Little Landscapes
Taking the décor up a notch, you’ll be able to flip a easy container into a complete tiny panorama that tells a narrative. This requires cautious collection of crops and the correct steadiness, however the result is price it in the long run.
This recycled succulent container turns succulents and cacti (that might usually be thought of compact) into towering bushes and shrubs planted subsequent to decorative properties.
The empty space coated with pebbles provides to the sensation of house, making the container really feel like a dwelling art work. You actually wouldn’t have the identical influence simply pairing the identical succulents in an everyday pot.
Lithops Backyard
Conventional succulents are beloved for his or her low-maintenance nature. However for busy gardeners, even that could be an excessive amount of. If that’s the case, you want lithops.
Lithops are robust succulent crops that thrive on little to no consideration. They want very rare watering, and even whenever you do water, only a teaspoon is sufficient to replicate the Southern African desert environments they’re used to.
This container highlights the great thing about these intricate crops, packed tightly to indicate off their distinctive shapes and colours in a tiny lithops backyard.
Overflowing
Succulents are recognized for his or her geometric and structural shapes. This will look considerably misplaced in a pure and overflowing backyard with few strains and restricted construction. Mix one of the best of each worlds by planting an overflowing succulent container that cascades over the edges of the pot like these sedums, making a lush and plentiful look.
Sadly, you received’t be capable of obtain this look in a single day. Plant every species shut collectively within the pot however not so shut that the crops are overcrowded. This can give them sufficient room to fill out to create this look.
Succulent Terrariums
Since terrariums are closed techniques by definition, the phrase ‘succulent terrarium’ is somewhat deceptive. Succulents will shortly rot in conventional terrariums. However, for those who plant in an open somewhat than closed glass that permits for extra airflow, you’ll be able to create an identical look with out risking the well being of the crops.
Succulent terrariums require cautious layering and water to cease moisture from accumulating across the roots. Ideally, it’s higher to plant in a glass with drainage holes. If that’s not doable, solely apply small quantities of water at a time somewhat than fully saturating the soil.
Residing Artwork
Crafting a novel and exquisite succulent container association doesn’t simply require creativity in selection of crops. The container itself has an enormous influence in your show. Forego the standard pot and plant your succulents in a wood body as an alternative, prepared to put in your desk or hold as a bit of dwelling artwork.
When you plan on laying it flat, drill drainage holes into the underside of the container. If you wish to hold it up, drill holes within the sides as an alternative and staple mesh wire to the body after filling it with soil to carry all of the crops in place.
Wheelbarrow Container
In case you have a rusty, spent wheelbarrow that’s simply taking over house in your backyard, repurpose it in a captivating succulent association. I take into account these the unique upcycled container, now a staple in lots of gardens.
Wheelbarrows usually go unused in the event that they develop holes. So long as the outlet is just not too giant, this will truly be a profit on your association for drainage. If the wheelbarrow doesn’t have any holes, drill just a few on the lowest level primarily based on how you intend to show your wheelbarrow, permitting the collected extra moisture to empty out the underside.
Destructive House
While you’re potting up a container full of flowers or herbs, leaving gaps seems to be somewhat sparse. It makes the container look empty or much less plentiful than for those who had been to fill it with extra crops. However relating to succulents, destructive house may be an asset in design.
This association splits the container down the center, focusing the crops solely on one aspect. This, together with the usage of the intense gravel, immediately elevates the design into one thing extra distinctive. Mix succulents of various sizes to mix the 2 sections collectively seamlessly.
Trailing Succulents
‘Thriller, filler, spiller’ is a phrase usually utilized in container design. It’s fairly self-explanatory – one plant ought to be the spotlight, one ought to fill and complement, and one ought to spill out the edges of the pot. When you don’t have to observe this rule, it’s a straightforward recipe for an aesthetically pleasing association.
Trailing succulents like Senecio are supreme spiller crops, with lengthy vines that completely cascade out of this cone-shaped container. Completely different species have in another way formed leaves, from string of bananas to string of dolphins, offering loads of selection.
Festive Enjoyable
Adorning in fall for Thanksgiving and Christmas is usually a expensive endeavor. Fortunately for gardeners, it doesn’t should be. In case you have a pumpkin patch and a few succulents prepared for planting, your vacation can be sorted very quickly.
Succulents are excellent for planting in pumpkins as they don’t require a lot moisture. When you plant in barely damp soil and show them for a few weeks earlier than transplanting to their long-term properties, you possible received’t must water them in any respect. This avoids any points with rotting early on for a lot longer-lasting décor.
Carry The Drama
Goth gardens are huge this 12 months, and their reputation exhibits no indicators of slowing down quickly. Dramatic and moody crops are present favorites, significantly on the planet of succulents. You should use the dramatic qualities of darkish succulents to your benefit to create a succulent container association like this that’s sure to face out.
It’s clear that the middle is the spotlight on this container. Pairing with lighter inexperienced species on both aspect, together with creamy pebbles and a stark white container, intensifies the purple-black coloration for additional distinction.
Pebble Designs
Succulent container preparations usually function a wide range of totally different species in a single pot for added visible curiosity. Nonetheless, you’ll be able to nonetheless create visible curiosity utilizing a single species for those who select your pebbles and placement fastidiously.
On this container, contrasting gray and white pebbles are used to create an lovely heart-shaped design that highlights the three small succulents within the heart. With out the pebbles, the pot would look sparse and empty. With them, the design is immediately extra considerate.
Coloured Gravel
Similar to pebbles can be utilized to brighten the highest of your container, coloured gravel will also be used to create distinctive designs alongside the edges. This show clearly requires a glass container to make no matter design you select seen, so you’ll should be somewhat extra selective in regards to the pot you select.
Having tried an association like this, I’ll say it requires somewhat endurance. Clear strains between layers, significantly for intricate designs, are tough to realize in a rush. Use stiff cardboard or plastic to carry the gravel in place when filling with soil, eradicating fastidiously after planting so that you don’t have an effect on the design.
Double Containers
One in all my favourite succulent container preparations is utilizing a pot inside a pot. That is nice for shallow containers on decrease surfaces which are largely seen from above.
When you don’t wish to stick to simply crops, lay one other pot on its aspect and plant as if the succulents are falling out of the container. It’s a enjoyable twist on an ordinary association that can add somewhat whimsy to your backyard. Decide an ornamental container for the inside pot, like this lovely watering can.
Go Massive
Many in style succulents are fairly compact, requiring loads of crops for a bigger show. However in case you have an enormous container to fill and wish to create steadiness, begin with a bigger central plant like this Aloe as an alternative.
In taller containers, succulents that keep low can usually get misplaced and solely make an influence whenever you’re shut up. Draw the attention to the container first with the taller species and fill in with companions down beneath so as to add a pop of coloration.
Window Field
The normal window field is a backyard staple that brings a contact of the outside a lot nearer to your own home. However in case you have a harsh sunny spot and don’t wish to stare at a pop filled with dying annuals each morning, fill your window field with succulents as an alternative.
It is a nice resolution for anybody who desires to develop succulents indoors however doesn’t have a sunny sufficient spot to maintain them completely happy. In a window field, you’ll be able to nonetheless get pleasure from their magnificence from inside whereas they benefit from the a lot of the sunshine outdoors.
Succulent Tiers
One other twist on a container inside a container, this association makes use of smaller pots as tiers to create a fountain of gorgeous succulents. Shallow containers are higher for steadiness, however you can even stabilize the inside containers with pebbles to cease them from falling over.
While you’re planting, it’s finest to fill with soil and assemble the tiers first. Then, you’ll be able to fill within the gaps with out risking squashing any of the crops in a while.
Raised Beds
Raised beds are sometimes utilized in vegetable gardens, supplying you with higher management over rising circumstances and making the crops simpler to entry for care and (most significantly) harvesting. However raised beds may be helpful in succulent gardens, too, highlighting particular crops and including dimension in peak.
Among the best causes to make use of a raised mattress on your succulent association is drainage. In case your backyard soil doesn’t drain properly sufficient to plant succulents, developing a raised mattress and filling it with well-draining sandy soil will get rid of the issue.
Hanging Baskets
Hanging baskets may be robust environments for delicate crops that require common watering. They drain extremely shortly, don’t maintain a lot soil, and are sometimes uncovered to full solar, which exacerbates the moisture points.
Fortunately, succulents thrive in these circumstances. This basket options a number of robust species that received’t thoughts much less frequent watering and dry soil. Simply make sure to hold the hampers nearer to eye stage so all of the gorgeous succulents are seen, not simply the trailing ones.
Driftwood Show
In case you have any previous logs in your backyard or a bit of sculptural driftwood with just a few gaps, it could possibly simply be become a planter for a stupendous succulent association.
Planting in smaller gaps and crevices replicates how a few of these crops develop between rocks of their native habitats and creates an exquisite pure look when planted fastidiously. This mix of Echeveria, Sempervivum, and Haworthia additionally offers selection in coloration and texture to get pleasure from.
Darkish Contrasts
Smaller succulents can usually mix in with the remainder of your backyard, even when they’re saved in their very own containers. If you wish to spotlight particular crops and draw the attention, the easiest way to try this is with coloration.
This succulent show options three totally different species in three totally different pot sizes, all with the identical dramatic black coloration. This coloration is not possible to overlook, turning the succulents into immediate function crops.
Easy Centerpiece
In case your succulent association will largely function desk décor, this slim horizontal planter is good. The container is giant sufficient to carry loads of soil to maintain the crops completely happy, making certain they stay far longer than the occasion you’re planning for.
The combination of complementary colours, texture, and peak creates a easy however efficient design that can look gorgeous on any dinner desk.
Ultimate Ideas
Planting up a succulent container association is your likelihood to be artistic. Recreate these designs or use them as inspiration to craft a container distinctive to you.