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DIY Succulent Container Garden

by Dawn
completed succulent container garden

Succulent Gardens: A Quick and Simple How-To

Succulent container gardens are super simple, cute gifts any time you need a quick present for a friend or coworker. As an extra bonus, it won’t cost you a ton of cha-ching! AND, I’ve even got a second bonus gift for you to make too! Ready? Here goes!

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Step-by-Step Succulent Container Garden Planting Instructions

Supplies: Plants

First, of course, you’ll need succulents, a suitable container, and soil. If you’re lucky enough to live close to a garden center that’s open all year, head on over there to find your succulents.

If not, you can order from Amazon here, like I did. Assuming we’re not in the middle of another polar vortex, your plants should be fine during shipment. It was pretty cold the week I ordered mine and they arrived in fine shape.

When they arrive, take them right out of the box and let them warm up, then give them a good drink and get them under grow lights or into a nice bright window so they can perk up a bit.

succulent garden
Isn’t this adorable?

Supplies: Potting Soil

Next, you’ll need potting soil. Although you can use regular old potting soil, cactus-specific soil is a good idea. Again, your local garden center may have it, or  you can order it here. I bought mine locally so was only able to get the MiracleGro soil, but this page has a number of different choices for you.

Supplies: Container

Last, and most fun, you get to pick a container. This page has a bunch of different, awesome pots. I want, well, pretty much all of them. That one about halfway down the page with the little stone house on top, or the Groot one. Squeeee!!! Oh dear, must. focus. on. writing.

I couldn’t find the exact one I bought when I went back to look today, but this one is close. Just keep in mind that you’ll need to put a few holes in the bottom of it for drainage if you use something like this.

OK, you’ve got all your goodies. Now what?

planting succulent garden

Planting Tips

I wish I could tell you there’s some magic formula for this and it’s soooo complicated and I’ve cracked the code and all that stuff. Nope! Just fill your container with soil and start planting. Succulents grow very slowly and don’t mind being crowded, so you can really fill your garden.

Once you’ve got your garden planted to your satisfaction, just give it a good drink and give it some light.

I would suggest planting your garden a week or two before you’re going to give it away, just to be sure that all your plants take and to give them a chance to get any drooping or wilting over with before you give them as a gift. Succulents are pretty tough so usually die-off isn’t a problem, but if you have the time to wait, it’s not a bad idea.

If you need more detailed information about growing succulents, check out Gilmour’s article here.

full succulent garden
Just a couple weeks later, you can see they’ve begun growing and filling the container

Maybe you’d like something a little different as a DIY gift. Here’s a link to my easy DIY lavender sachet project.

Let’s say you like the succulent garden, but you already have a plant you’d like to give and just want to spruce up the presentation a little. How about this?

Planting with Glass Jar and “Jewels”

I was at WalMart one day and saw this lovely glass container, along with these little “jewels” and thought, gee, that would look good with a plant in it. So here, we go!

materials for project two
This is everything you’ll need to make a quick, cute gift

Supplies

I found the glass container and jewels in the craft department at WalMart. As a bonus, the jar was under $5.00 and the jewels were $.99 per bag. Super cheap! I already had the plant, but of course if you need to buy one, that will add to the cost. Still, not much money for a really attractive small gift.

I just mixed the two colors of jewels together (there are a bunch of different options, so you can pick your faves or coordinate to your recipient’s decor), then put a layer of jewels in the bottom of the glass container.

Assembly Instructions

I decided to leave the plant in its original pot because I couldn’t figure out how to keep the soil contained and invisible otherwise. Plus, this allows for better drainage.

Once I placed the pot inside the glass container, I added jewels around the edges until I couldn’t see the pot anymore.

I got it done, but then I wasn’t happy being able to see the soil at the top of the pot. You could always put a bit of moss in the top of the pot, but I chose some seashells I had laying around instead. Get creative!

finished plant gift idea two
All finished! The plant does look a bit small for the container,
but will fill out and become more proportional as it grows

That’s it! Really simple and potentially under $10 for a lovely housewarming or Valentine’s gift for a friend or acquaintance.  You could even plant a favorite herb plant in this for your friend to keep in their kitchen. 

Want some  info on growing herbs?  Here’s a link to my Indoor Herb Growing post for you.

I hope you’ve enjoyed this post and have gotten some ideas for inexpensive, quick and fun gifts for friends and coworkers.

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Below are a couple of pinnable images. Be sure to pin this gift idea so you can find it later when you need it!

Succulent container garden
succulent container garden

Succulent Gardens: A Quick and Simple How-To

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8 comments

Sarita 03/03/2019 - 1:41 pm

I love succulents! But they’re expensive to buy up here as well. However, planting succulents in a pot could be a great winter/spring homeschooling activity if the local nursery carries them. I’m going to check this out the next time we head to town. Thank you Dawn for the great idea!

Reply
Dawn 03/03/2019 - 4:54 pm

You’re welcome! You could absolutely do this with something other than succulents too. Of course, succulents are very easy to grow so that makes them a good choice for this, but any smallish plant could be used, especially if you’re doing it as a homeschooling unit on botany or biology.

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Nikki L Gwin 02/28/2019 - 9:17 am

I don’t understand why succulents are so expensive! I want to do that fountain filled with succulents that I keep seeing on Pinterest, but it would cost a LOT! I love your idea to use these as gifts. Wouldn’t they be great as a house warming gift to a new neighbor!?

Reply
Dawn 02/28/2019 - 8:04 pm

It really would be a nice gift, and since it doesn’t use too many, that at least wouldn’t be too expensive. I saw that fountain and I want it!!! You’re right, though, it would cost an unholy fortune. It would probably look equally nice with flowers, though, and that wouldn’t be so expensive. Just a thought.

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Linda Carlson 02/26/2019 - 9:02 am

So cute. I have had a little house plant business in my home for a few years.. Loved working with all the adorable succulents..

Reply
Dawn 02/26/2019 - 10:14 am

I love them too, although I think my heart is actually with African violets. Who am I kidding? If it’s a plant, I love it!

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Sandra at Thistle Cove Farm 02/26/2019 - 8:52 am

Succulents are marvelous! I hate to admit this but I’ve a pan of hens and chicks that have gone through 2 winters now…and are coming back. I’m going to re-pot them this time…they deserve it!

Reply
Dawn 02/26/2019 - 8:54 am

They’re pretty forgiving anyway. I have a lot of them that live outdoors and they come back every year, but I figured I’d branch out and have a few inside too.

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