While I love all sorts of vegetation, I have a soft spot in my heart for succulents — a class of plants that generally includes those that store water in leaves and stems. Not only are they wonderfully hardy for those born without a green thumb (that would be me), but I love their intense variety of colors and intriguing geometry. It’s also convenient, and almost magical, that succulent cuttings can produce their own roots. Their hardiness and accessibility allows for some really creative do-it-yourself projects, some you may have never thought of:
1. Wreath. Perfect for Christmas or any time of year, a succulent wreath is a dramatic addition to any door or garden. You can find a number of tutorials online on how to achieve this unique creation (Martha Stewart has a good one on her site). It consists of filling a wire wreath with peat moss and planting soil, then wrapping the wreath with more wire before inserting the roots of small succulent plants into the core of the wreath. Once the plants are established, you can hang the wreath up to enjoy (you can also use floral pins to assist in fastening the plants). All you need to do is “bathe” your wreath in water once a week. I personally can’t wait to try this one!
2. Mini Magnets. This is an adorable idea that makes a great mini gift. All you need are wine corks, a knife, a screwdriver, a glue gun, magnets, some soil, and tiny succulent cuttings. Just make a hole in each wine cork with the screwdriver and then carve out the inside using your knife. Glue your magnet to the back, and then fill the hollowed-out cork with soil and the small plant. If you want, you can create a whole garden on your refrigerator!
3. Wall Garden. This project is very similar to the wreath described above. Instead of filling a wreath, a backed frame with wire is used to create the base of your wall garden. You can make your own frame or buy one already fabricated. The key is to add lots and lots of small succulent cuttings to the soil and allow them to take root before hanging your living picture. Sunset Magazine provides excellent information on how to achieve this garden feature.
4. Terrarium. I have made numerous terrariums with succulents, and it’s such an easy and pretty way to display them. All you really need, aside from the plants and soil, are a pretty glass vessel and some other decorative rocks, stones, or shells if you wish. It’s the perfect miniature garden in glass. Add some tiny wooden accents (such as chairs or birdhouses) to turn your terrarium into a fairy garden!
5. Overflowing Urn. Succulents look beautiful on their own, but they are especially striking in bunches. A garden pedestal urn is the perfect setting to showcase succulents of varying shapes, colors, and heights. A popular succulent known as “String of Beads” is perfect for this type of container garden because its leaves resemble green beads or pearls, and they look lovely cascading down the side of an
6. Tea Light Set. Tea lights themselves don’t last very long. But your tea light containers can take on new life as mini planters. Just add soil and cuttings! A tip to remember when cultivating your own succulent cuttings is to allow them to sit out and for the ends to callus over before inserting them in soil.
7. Party Favors and Place Settings. Use small succulents in glass or terracotta pots to serve as place settings at a party, bridal shower, or wedding. You can write guests’ names on the pot or put a place card into the plant’s leaves. You could also insert a small chalkboard or sign into the soil.
8. Bridal Bouquet. A new trend in bridal bouquets is to add succulents alongside more traditional bridal blooms. The beautiful rosette features of Echeveria and Aeonium look breathtaking next to roses of any color. If you browse online, you’ll find no shortage of gorgeous, inspirational ideas. While most brides will want to leave their bouquets to an expert florist, you can certainly make your own. Flower Duet offers an informative video on YouTube. The best part about using succulents in a bridal bouquet is that once the wedding is over, the bride can remove the succulents from her bouquet and replant them in a garden or container, letting a piece of that special day live on for years to come.
9. Christmas Ornament. Since succulents are so hardy, you can hang clippings on your tree, and then replant them once the holidays are over. Echeveria plants work well because they already resemble little living bows.
10. Jewelry. It doesn’t get any more whimsical than wearable plants! Believe it or not, Wearable Planter is devoted to the sale of this sort of unique jewelry. You can also find similar items on Etsy. Yet a wearable planter is exceedingly easy to make, provided you can find the appropriate small vessel to hang from your neck or pin to a blazer. All it takes is a small succulent clipping, some soil, and a little water, and your plant is ready to hit the road with you in style.
If there’s a type of plant that lends itself perfectly to creativity and is ideal for gardens on both grand and minute scales, it’s the versatile succulent. Whether it’s down the wedding aisle or on the Christmas tree, there’s a place for succulents in almost any setting.
