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succulent bowls

Overview

Introduce some unique greenery into your home with this easy D.I.Y. project – a succulent bowl! Using some basic gardening equipment, you can create a low-maintenance addition to a windowsill, bedroom or living space.

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. 

Providing 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 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.

Steps

1Tools and materials

Below are all of the tools and materials you'll need to complete this project.

Variety of succulents and potting mix laid out on a benchtop.

2Choose 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. 

step 1 adding rocks to pot

3Layer some rock

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!

adding rocks

4Choose 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.

adding soil

5Add 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.

adding succulents

6Fill with potting mix and top off with rocks or pebbles

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 or pebbles 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!

plant succulents

7Pop 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 sparingly every few days.

succulent bowl

8Ready to make one?

Shop our selection of succulents to start your succulent bowl project. 

Health & Safety

Asbestos, lead-based paints and copper chromium arsenic (CCA) treated timber are health hazards you need to look out for when renovating older homes. These substances can easily be disturbed when renovating and exposure to them can cause a range of life-threatening diseases and conditions including cancer. For information on the dangers of asbestos, lead-based paint and CCA treated timber and tips for dealing with these materials contact your local council's Environmental Health Officer or visit our Health & Safety page.

When following our advice in our D.I.Y. videos, make sure you use all equipment, including PPE, safely by following the manufacturer’s instructions. Check that the equipment is suitable for the task and that PPE fits properly. If you are unsure, hire an expert to do the job or talk to a Bunnings Team Member.