DIY with LCD & Client: Succulent Pot Planting

For this month’s DIY project, the LCD Team collaborated with our client, Kay Gargas, to put on a Succulent Pot Planting Day! Kay is a part of a garden club and recently had a succulent planting workshop, so she was excited to share with us all the tips and tricks she had learned. Our DIY projects are always inspiring and planting succulents was another success! We set up our supplies outside on a picnic table underneath an umbrella to create the perfect planting atmosphere and got to work. One of Kay’s tips that really stuck out to us was to use different sizes, shapes, textures, and colors when creating your succulent display. Scroll below for more tips and a step-by-step guide on how to create your own succulent pot.

The Overall Look

Succulent Pots by the LCD Team!

Step 1 – Gather Supplies

What you’ll need: succulents in various sizes and colors, cactus/succulent potting soil, pots, window mesh screen, popsicle sticks, wheel barrel or container (to mix the soil), water, shovel or trowel, scissors or pruning shears, paint brush (for dusting off soil from plants), and gardening gloves.

Tip: Set up supplies outside in a shaded area or underneath an umbrella for protection from the sun.

Step 2 - Prep Soil

Create the perfect soil consistency to root your succulents in. Place soil into a wheel barrel or container, add water, and mix soil together with a shovel or trowel. When dry soil is used it sinks when watered, therefore it can ruin your succulent display. By adding water to soil beforehand this will eliminate settling soil.

Tip: Moderately coat soil with water and do not soak. Succulents do not like soggy roots.

Step 3 - Cut Mesh Screen

Cut a piece of window mesh to cover the hole at bottom of pot. Adding a piece of window mesh to the bottom helps drain water and keep critters out.

Tip: Kay’s gardening group has found that window mesh has worked best for them, rather than plant netting, due to window mesh having smaller openings.

Step 4 - Pack Soil into Pot

Grab or scoop soil into pot to create a soil bed for your succulents.

Tip: After each scoop of soil, use your hands to pack it in, then repeat.

Step 5 - Select a Succulent for Your Centerpiece

Select a succulent that you love and stands out to you the most. It is usually the largest or most colorful succulent. This will become your centerpiece.

Tip: Cut the stem at an angle, then use a popsicle stick to create a hole in the soil to root it. After you root the stem, fill in soil around stem to secure it.

Step 6 - Plant Succulents

Start with your succulent centerpiece as a focal point, then add succulents around it ranging in size, height, textures and colors.

Tip: Adding taller succulents in the back and smaller succulents in the front creates a balanced look!

Step 7 - Succulent Care

Succulents only need to be watered once a month. Yep, that’s it. They love being outside under the sun as they are desert and drought tolerant plants. If there is a chance of rain, make sure to place your pots under an awning or bring them inside for protection. Too much water, can make the roots rot.