Arranging Succulents
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Arranging succulents is one of my favorite things! I love watching it come together and then seeing the finished project. A lot of the arrangements you see in stores have the plants clumped together by type. This is where I like to change it up by spreading the different plant types around throughout the arrangement.
I start by choosing all the plants I want to use. Sometimes I just grab some from my yard or I'll pick up some new ones at the store. I usually try to keep it to 4 or 5 of the same type of plants, with one bigger beauty for the middle!
Fill up the container you are going to use with succulent soil about 3/4 of the way up. You will need to keep extra soil on the side to keep filling up the container as you add more plants. Place your biggest succulent in the middle. Dig a hole with your fingers and place the plant's roots and stem into the hole, then surround the plant underneath with soil. Try to keep the roots on all of the plants if you can, as this will help them begin to flourish in their new home quickly. If you are planting cuttings be sure to let the ends callous over for a few days before planting them in soil. If you plant a fresh cutting in soil it may absorb too much moisture and rot.
From there, start adding plants on either side of the middle plant. I think of it as a mirror and add the same plants on each side. Remember every time you add a plant, dig a little hole, place the plant and surround it with the extra soil. With succulents, this can be a bit trickier than it sounds. Try your hardest to handle the plant by the stem, not the leaves, to avoid unsightly scratches and markings. In addition, when you add soil, take care not to get it on the plants. If you accidentally pour soil on top of a plant, gently blow it off or use tweezers to remove it without scarring your plant.
Try to fill in all of the empty space in your container so that no soil is showing. You can fill in the small spaces with smaller plants, which are always adorable! Sometimes it's difficult to create holes for smaller plants. In that case, try using a pencil to create smaller holes.
I hope this tutorial helps you create a beautiful arrangement! If you have any questions you can leave a comment below or find us on Instagram under @needlesandleaves.
Comments (22)
How long did the succulents live in the wooden box lined with plastic before they had to be transplanted? What is the life expectancy on the succulent arrangements that are prevalent online? Thanks.
Hi, I know you said that the green succulents do best inside but does it matter if they are "fuzzy" or not? :-) Thank you for your info!!!
I've been propagating my succulents, but I'm afraid I still don't have a large variety of succulents. My plants usually get leggy and so it's hard to decide which ones to make an arrangement of, and I also struggle how close to place them together and how to keep their overgrowing under control, how can I remedy this?
Hi,
My succulents are all still in their individual pots but, as winter is nearing, I have to bring them inside. I do not have room for each individual pot, so I figured I'd try to condense them into the least amount of pots as possible. It would really help if you could answer a few of my questions.
How close together can my succulents be to each other? I have a few babies and I expect them to grow, so I don't think they'd do very good touching other succulents. Is it okay for them to touch?
Do any succulent breeds have conflicting needs? For example, do some succulents need specific watering or sunlight? If so, I wouldn't want them to be in the same pot, correct?
Thank you so, so much!
Hi when you are starting leaf cuttings what kind of well draining container do you use besides pots? I want to use a large, long container so I can do a lot at one time but not sure what to use?
Thanks for your help.
Melinda
Hi, a newbie looking for tips: I have a succulent arrangement, but the plants have started to grow and it looks like the bigger ones are starting to sort of "run over" the smaller ones - time to move them elsewhere? Also I have a succulent which has started to grow smaller plants from it's self.. Can I just cut them off and plant them?
Loving your website/blog & Can't wait to read your book!
Hi Rosa, I know that you were not answering me, but you can definitely cut off those smaller plants and replant them! just make sure you let them callous for a few days before planting them. this page has a whole article on propagation!
Where do you buy your new succulents? I'm a newbie and will be starting a new project soon. I really love your blog and find it very helpful! Thanks.
What happens to this arrangement as the plants grow? Is this meant for short term enjoyment, or will it last months, or even years?
Hi, Very nice explanations for a layman. I am working on a large planter area in front of my house. How thick should the soil be for optimal growth? I don't have much available depth. Thank you!
Luckily, most succulents don't have very deep root systems. It varies depending on the type of plant, but for the most part, I think you will be alright with 6 inches to a foot for larger plants.
Beautiful blog! Check out my Etsy shop! Maybe we could collaborate sometime! www.etsy.com/shop/sourcesucculents
Oh! I love your stuff, do you have an Instagram?
So cool! I'm curious if you have holes in the bottom of that wooden planter. I have something very similar I'd like to plant in but holes in the bottom would make it a bit messier, trying to avoid if possible. Thanks!
There are holes, but we lined it with plastic to keep the dirt from spilling out. Pop a few small holes in the plastic for better drainage! =)
I love the range of colors and textures you put in there! So beautiful!
How would you water an arrangement like this?
You can use a water bottle or a watering can with a smaller spout so that you water mostly the soil and not the plants. If you can reach the soil with your finger to tell, only water when the soil is dry. If you can't feel the soil, I would water about once every two weeks since this particular arrangement doesn't have drainage.
I'm truly enjoying your site and thank you for all the tips you've posted throughout. Although now I'm curious - why wouldn't you want to water the plants and only the soil? I was recently at a fair where a stand was selling tiny succulent terrains (that didn't have any drainage) and they were telling folks that all you need is a spray bottle to water your garden. I don't want my garden to die! What do you recommend?
You can water small plants with a spray bottle since the roots are pretty close to the surface of the soil, and since there is no drainage they will retain the water for a longer period of time. I personally try not to get water on my plants, mostly for cosmetic reasons. I take a lot of photos of my plants and don't like the water marks that get left behind. I've heard that letting water settle on the leaves can cause rot, but I've never experienced this personally. Sometimes it's impossible not to get water on the plants.
Hello,
What do you place around the box before adding the soil? I have several vintage cheese boxes that id love to use to try and make one of these arrangements.
Thanks
Adele
:)
This box is just lined with plastic. You can even cut a zip lock bag and use that!