Succulents are sweeping the world finding their way into homes and businesses everywhere. Beautiful living art forms feature an array of colors, textures, and so much more. This new gardening trend is so easy; anyone can do it.
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What Is A Succulent?
Succulents are vascular plants that retain water within the tissues of their stem, leaf, or root. Because most succulents are native to desert-like climates, this water storage is a form of self-preservation. A sappy, jelly-like substance is often excreted when any part of the plant is broken or cut open.
There are thousands of succulent plant species belonging to different genus’. It would suffice to say that trying to narrow down a specific species of succulents is best left to professional gardeners and botanists.
Creative Ideas And Ways To Plant Succulents
The diverse range of colors and shapes make these plants highly desirable, but the main feature of succulents is how easy it is to grow them. Although they are typically found in hostile climates lacking rain, they are highly adaptable to almost any environment except where temperatures dip below freezing.
I love arranging my succulents in ways that the colors pop and contrast against substrate or other plants. In fact, I have both indoor and outdoor succulents, and they are just gorgeous! So, let’s see the various ways to get those creative juices flowing when it comes to succulents.
Indoor Succulent Garden
There are so many possibilities when it comes to coming up with ways to have lovely indoor succulent arrangements and mini-gardens.
Idea #1: Repurposed Book Planter With Succulents
I can remember seeing a rather unique coffee-table arrangement where an old book about three inches thick had been repurposed into a planter. This unique planter featured nine succulents planted three to a row.
The book planter was a rather deep red color with gold lettering on the spine. Each row of succulents featured two reddish-pink succulents with a contrasting green one in the center of each row. A beautiful substrate of repurposed vintage pearls made this entire arrangement breathtaking.
Idea #2: Potted Succulent Art
For a twist of whimsy, try creating a succulent potted mini-garden that resembles a potted plant within a potted plant. Craft Invaders features this uber-cute way of creating something beautiful, artsy, and fun, and best of all, it’s super easy to do!
Idea #3: Vintage Bread Bowl Succulent Centerpiece
I have an old round wooden bread bowl I acquired at a yard sale used to proof bread dough. When seeing this bowl, I knew it would be perfect for planting my favorite succulent with little ones circling it. In the center, I planted an Echeveria. Encircling the Echeveria are alternating Anacampseros and Sedum Dashyphyllum.
Idea #4: A Succulent Rainbow
A rainbow collage of color is uniquely featured by Debra Lee Baldwin. I couldn’t resist sharing her idea because it is just breathtaking! This same concept can be used either indoors or outdoors.
How Do You Start A Small Succulent Garden Outdoors?
Starting an outdoor succulent garden is intimidating for some. It’s actually quite simple if done in a grouping manner to achieve a color or pattern effect. Some gardeners use succulents as fillers around hardscaping or as a low-profile frontage feature. Can you plant succulents in just rocks? You bet you can. Succulents add color and life to landscaping boulders and large rocks.
Idea #5: How Do You Layout A Succulent Garden?
I have some great tips on how to create an outdoor succulent garden! I learned from trial and error not to go planting without first having a plan in place.
- Measure the space where the prospective succulent garden goes.
- Do some research on various succulents to find the ones I love while taking into consideration what the sun requirements are of the plant.
- Draw out how I would like to arrange each species of succulents. I like the wavy row concept which is illustrated in Home Stratosphere’s succulent article. I plant each type of succulents row by row. This creates movement within an otherwise mundane area of the outdoors. The effect is astonishing!
Laura Eubanks is an experienced succulent landscaper and outdoor succulent garden designer who has some fantastic ideas. She utilizes height, texture, and color to enhance or create a living oasis outdoors. She has some great ideas and ways to garden with succulents that I find very beneficial.
Idea #6: How Do You Prepare A Succulent Garden Bed?
- Before purchasing my succulents, I prepare the soil where I will be planting them. Succulents prefer well-draining, dry soil. Depending on the conditions of the soil where I plant, I typically amend soil (for succulents) with sand and gravel. I know to avoid planting in any area outdoors that’s prone to flooding or persistent wetness.
- Once the soil is amended, I simply plant the succulents according to my drawing/plan.
- I like to add a white substrate that highlights the features of my succulent garden.
Do Succulent Plants Like Sun Or Shade?
Some succulents have a stronger preference for sun, whereas others tend to be more sun-shy, liking shaded conditions. This is something to keep in mind, especially if landscaping with succulents outdoors. Indoor succulents that need more sun should be placed near or in front of a sunny window. It’s best to follow the instructions on purchased succulents.
Worthy Of Considering
Succulents are more than what many consider scraggly “cacti.” They are full of personality, and whether paired with others or as a single specimen, the effect is stunning. There’s something organic and peaceful about a succulent making these plants highly worthy of planting!
