Well hello and happy spring green to you! Are you looking to try something new in this beautiful season? Let it be this project. An easy succulent garden planter is as beautiful as it is fun to make!
Girls Night (or Day) Ideas
My girlfriends and I meet on the semi-regular to work on creative projects together. We lovingly call this Craft Night. Could we not come up with a more creative name? Go figure.
I think Amy and Deb would both be surprised to realize that it’s been about 12 YEARS since we started doing this! No one can recall how it all began.
It likely sprung from a desire to make more time to be creative and to work on “our projects”. To make that happen, we knew we would need to schedule it on the calendar and into our busy lives.
Over the years we’ve worked on different projects, in different places, at each one of our houses, indoors, outdoors, all while working around children, family, and work schedules. There is usually food, always wine, and lots of conversation too.
Sometimes we inspire each other to try new creative endeavors, other times we just encourage each other along our own paths. It’s wonderful to get advice and bounce ideas off one another.
Projects may not always get finished that night, but the gathering is always good for the soul.
An Easy Garden Planter Project with Girlfriends
On this beautiful spring day, Amy has chosen a project for us. And it’s a good one!
She bought all of the materials and also offered up her beautiful backyard as a workspace. Believe it or not, it’s even a gorgeous spring day in Minnesota. Yay us!
Today we are making easy succulent garden planters. Your very own portable garden that you can hang indoors or out.
This project is super simple and very enjoyable to build and plant anyway you like. You really can’t mess this up because succulent plants are just so darn sweet and beautiful. Amy also brought some unique vines and sticks to include in our planter masterpieces.
Finally, a succulent garden planter can be affordable too. Amy purchased the plants and materials at Home Depot. She received these containers from a friend (Whole Foods Catering boxes), but you can use any type of shallow wood or plastic container.
Look around the house, check at Goodwill, or at your local resale shop for yours. Be creative on your search, that is part of the fun!
The whole project would have taken less than an hour if we would have worked without talking. But that never happens.
What are Succulent Plants
Succulents are a group of plants that store water and nutrients in their leaves. While they do need water to survive, they can endure extended periods of drought better than most plants because they rely on this energy.
They grow best in bright light but do not always like the hot sun. Like cactus, succulents usually thrive in dry climates and don’t do as well in humidity.
There are many different types, in an abundant assortment of shapes, sizes, colors, and textures.
One of the amazing qualities of succulents is their ability to propagate easily. Many can grow new plants from leaves that fall off. Others develop new pups as they grow larger.
Materials that You Need for a Succulent Planter
Where to Buy Succulent Planting Materials
You can find most of these materials at Home Depot, Lowes, or your local nursery. I’ve also linked many options from Amazon below in the supply list.
Check for wooden planters at resale shops, such as Goodwill. If you cannot locate a wood planter any shallow container will do, you just may not be able to hang it. It will still be gorgeous though!
Supplies Needed for Your Succulent Planter
Below are the supplies needed for the project. (affiliate links).
Branches, twigs or other decorative touches optional
Poultry Netting/Chicken Wire only needed if you are hanging planter
Wire Cutters hanging only
Pliers hanging only
Staple Gun hanging only
Instructions for Making an Easy Succulent Garden Planter
1 Line your container with plastic. Heavy-duty garbage bags work great!
Trim the plastic so the edges are flush with container rim.
2 Fill the container with soil.
3 Place a layer of sheet moss loosely over the planter.
4 This step is ONLY necessary if you plan to hang your planter. You can skip this step if you don’t intend to hang the planter.
Staple the chicken wire to the planter along the perimeter, so that the edges are secure.
5 This step is for a hanging planter only. Carefully fold the chicken wire edges down and around the edge of the planter with pliers or your fingers. This will make the edges look cleaner and also protect you from the wire’s sharp edges.
6 Now the fun part. Water the succulents before you pot them. Plant your succulents!
Get artsy and play around with the wonderful combinations of color and texture.
The plants may droop a bit after planting. Don’t worry. Water them and with a little TLC, they will spring back to life!
Maintenance and Caring for your Succulent Garden Planter
These plants are very easy to grow. Find a convenient place where you are able to water your succulent garden regularly, maybe a kitchen sink, laundry tub, or a yard.
Allow water to drain completely through the soil to avoid root rot. Water again when the soil is completely dry from the previous watering.
You may want to try using a succulent fertilizer (affiliate link). It is inexpensive and provides the nutrients your plants need to stay healthy.
Expose your succulents to a reasonable amount of sun, shade, and mild temperatures.
Like any plant, succulents need room to grow. Re-pot them if your garden planter grows and becomes overcrowded. As a result, your plants will live a long, happy life.
This succulent planter project is truly enjoyable, beautiful, and easy peasy. Trust me! Give it a try yourself, or even better grab a few girlfriends and have a planting party. Please let me know if you do.
xo,
Cindy
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Wonderful idea. I know this is something my daughter and granddaughter would enjoy doing. My neighbor and I used to have Wednesday wine night in our pjs. We would talk and line dance. Sadly she moved away but we enjoyed this for many year’s.
I love getting your newsletter.
Thank you so much
Brenda, thank you so much for following along & for your sweet note! It made my day! Love the PJ, wine & line dance idea too. Thanks for sharing!