The project
A succulent bowl is a fantastic way to introduce a little greenery into your home, without committing to ongoing maintenance. With a huge range of succulents available from our garden centre, you can let your creative juices flow, building a unique and versatile decoration for any part of your home.
Proving they’ve got the right conditions (more on that below), succulents are the perfect indoor plant. Succulents are easy to care for as they store water in their stems and leaves so it doesn’t matter if you forget to water them for a few days – in fact, the less you water them, the better!
With a range of different textures and colours, succulents can brighten up any space and add a point of visual interest. They also help to purify the air, improve the humidity of your home and can even help you focus!
With so many design options and benefits, these succulent bowls also make a fantastic gift idea for friends or family! All you’ll need is some basic gardening equipment and a beautiful selection of succulents.
1. Choose your succulent container
We’re using these bowls from Bunnings – they’re shallow and wide enough to show off different varieties of succulents. However, you can use any type of container or plant pot as long as it has a hole in the bottom to allow for good drainage.
2. Layer some rock
Add a layer of rocks down the bottom, especially if it is very deep. This is to ensure the soil doesn’t get too soggy with water.
3. Choose the right potting soil
Succulents like a soil that drains well and is a bit sandy. We’re using this succulent-specific potting mix to give these plants the best start.
To help with the drainage, we’re adding a layer of rocks at the bottom of the pot. But if you don’t have rocks, that’s OK. As long as your pot has a drainage hole and the right soil, your succulents will be happy!
4. Add the succulents
Trying to find the right mix of succulents can be daunting. The best thing to do is to select a variety. Try to select one or two taller plants, some smaller ones with a variety of colours and one or two with a trailing habit. That way you’ll get height, colour and some cascading over your planter.
5. Add more succulents than you normally would when potting a plant
Once you’ve added the succulents and moved them around to get the look you’re after, add some more potting mix to fill the bowl. You may also like to add some rocks to help weigh down the soil and stop the soil splashing up onto the plants when watering.
If there’s no room for rocks, that’s okay too!
6. Pop them in your designated spot
Now that your succulents are planted, place them in a well-lit place – in sun or under a patio with indirect sun is great. They’ll also look great on a windowsill or make fabulous gifts.
Water your succulent bowl every few days, or every second day during hot days. If your succulent bowl is inside, use a spray bottle to prevent over-watering.
Ready to make one?
Shop our selection of succulents to start your succulent bowl project.
