DIY Planter Ideas For Your Growing Succulent Collection
Succulents seem to be the new must-have plant in everyone's homes nowadays. Coming in so many varieties of different shapes, sizes, and colors, these small plants offer hope to anyone who did not inherit a talented "green thumb." While being aesthetically pleasing (and honestly adorable in nature), succulents ask for very little in terms of care and can make do with less water and sunlight than the traditional needy houseplant. In turn, this longer lifespan allows for a succulent parent to get a bit more creative with the planters their succulents call home.
You might have seen the basic glass or ceramic succulent planters around your local home gardening center or even at the grocery store checkout counter. These planters are limited in design, and quite honestly look pretty much the same almost anywhere you go. However, one of the many joys in caring for a succulent collection is the creativity you can exercise with their planters!
Almost anything can be a succulent planter, including, but not limited to, the following unique ideas:
1. Mason Jars
2. Fish Bowls
3. Baskets
4. Geometric Spheres
5. Mugs
6. Hollowed-Out Rocks
7. Wine Bottles
8. Tea Tins
Although many of the items listed above may seem ordinary, it is the succulents themselves that actually enhance their aesthetic. Using a mason jar? Choose a variety of vibrant green succulents to really shine through the glass. Using a mug?
Choose a succulent with colors complementary to the color of the mug to make a nice contrast. You can even use an old, sawed-in-half wine bottle to house your succulent plant. For this, you could choose to house a succulent with longer vines to spill out of the jar and onto the sides of the tinted glass. Macrame, ropes, and twine also make nice compliments to a succulent planter, and you might also be able to find these items around your home or backyard.
In truth, the planter-succulent combination you choose is really a reflection of your own creativity, individuality, and resourcefulness. Before you throw out or recycle something you didn't think you could use again, take a second glance and see if you could incorporate it into your succulent garden. Once you have chosen your own unique planter for your succulent, you can then place it on a kitchen counter, the corner of a desk, a windowsill, a shelf, a patio balcony, or even hang it from the ceiling to accent your home. Not only will you be proud of your succulent parenting skills, but your succulent will also have a new planter home to thrive and grow in.
Remember, you can plant a succulent in just about anything; from jars to spheres to wine bottles and even hollowed-out rocks. Let your imagination run wild, and use the items in your home to recycle and reuse as your new succulent planters. A happy and healthy succulent is a delight to care for, and the planter it's rooted in is just one of the many decisions you get to make in your succulent collection journey.
Opinions and Perspectives
The best planter is whatever makes you happy. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise!
Just want to point out that drainage holes are non-negotiable, no matter how cute the container is.
My succulent in a hollow log is thriving! Nature really does know best.
Love how the article encourages recycling. Been rescuing containers from my neighbor's recycling bin.
Started propagating leaves and now I need even more creative container ideas!
Old toolboxes make great planters too! The compartments are perfect for different varieties.
Think I'm the only one who prefers matching pots. All these different containers look messy to me.
Tried the wine bottle idea. Getting the plants in was like building a ship in a bottle!
Anyone else name their succulents? My mason jar crew has quite the personality!
Remember to consider the weight of soil and water when hanging planters from the ceiling.
Created a whole wall of different containers for my succulents. It's like living art!
The article inspired me to look around my house differently. Everything's a potential planter now!
I've started making my own hypertufa pots. Perfect for succulents and so much cheaper than buying.
Just remember that some succulents grow huge! Choose your containers accordingly.
Not sure why everyone's complicating things. A simple pot works just fine.
I use different colored gravels to match my containers. Makes such a pretty top dressing!
The best planters I've found are actually broken items I've repaired with kintsugi techniques.
Made the mistake of using metal containers without drainage. Complete disaster!
Anyone else's succulent collection taking over their living space? My family thinks I'm obsessed.
I've had success with wooden boxes. Just seal them well and add plenty of drainage.
The article's right about succulents making everything look better. Even my old soup cans look artistic now!
My succulents actually grow better in ugly plastic pots than in all these fancy containers.
Found some amazing antique silverware at a thrift store. Making them into hanging planters next weekend.
Love using clear containers to see the root development. It's like a living science experiment!
Tried the macrame thing but ended up with a tangled mess. Guess I'll stick to regular pots.
Started with one succulent in a tea tin, now I have 47 plants in various containers. Help!
Please make sure any container is food-safe if you're repurposing it. Some materials can be toxic.
What about using old boots as planters? Saw it at a garden show and it looked fantastic!
I've started making my own concrete planters. They're perfect for geometric designs.
The article should mention the importance of pot size. Too big isn't always better for succulents.
Yes! My jade grows much faster in terra cotta than in ceramic pots.
Anyone else notice their succulents grow differently in different container materials?
Plastic containers painted to look like ceramic are a great lightweight option.
I turned an old guitar into a vertical succulent garden. Sometimes you just have to think outside the box!
Where's everyone finding these perfect mason jars? Mine all have weird labels that won't come off.
Been collecting succulents for years and honestly, they do best in plain old plastic nursery pots.
The drainage issue can be solved by using a diamond drill bit to make holes. Works on glass and ceramic.
I actually prefer traditional terra cotta pots. Sometimes simple is better.
My cats keep knocking over my planters. Any suggestions for cat-proof containers?
Love how the article emphasizes matching succulent colors with container colors. Makes such a difference!
I've found that vintage tins work great too. Just make sure they're thoroughly cleaned first.
The fish bowl idea is genius! Just made one with layers of colored sand and it looks like an underwater scene.
Has anyone tried growing succulents in old light bulbs? Saw it online and it looks amazing!
That's a bit harsh. People are just trying to be creative and eco-friendly by reusing items.
I find the whole succulent trend a bit overdone. Not everything needs to be turned into a planter.
My grandmother gave me her old china teacups and I've turned them into the cutest succulent garden!
The article doesn't mention this, but painting terra cotta pots is another great way to personalize your planters.
You're overthinking it. I've used all sorts of glazed containers and my plants are perfectly fine.
Just want to warn everyone that some glazed containers can leach chemicals into the soil. Better stick to natural materials.
Been using baskets for my outdoor succulents and they're thriving! Just lined them with coconut fiber first.
I'm nervous about the wine bottle idea. Wouldn't the narrow opening make it really hard to plant and maintain?
The macrame hanging planters mentioned in the article are perfect for small apartments. Saved so much counter space!
I really disagree with using containers without drainage holes. My succulents always rot no matter how careful I am with watering.
Never thought about using mugs! I have so many that just sit in my cupboard collecting dust.
I've had great success with tea tins! Just punch a few holes in the bottom and they work perfectly.
The geometric spheres look beautiful but they're so expensive in stores. Anyone know how to DIY those?
Totally agree about the drainage issue. I learned that lesson the hard way with my first few plants.
My succulents actually died in mason jars because there wasn't enough drainage. Make sure to add some rocks at the bottom!
I tried the hollowed-out rock idea but it was way harder than I expected. Ended up with a broken drill bit and a very unhappy rock.
These are such great ideas for upcycling! I've been collecting old mason jars but wasn't sure what to do with them. Now I know!
Has anyone tried using wine bottles? I'm curious about the drainage situation since they're so narrow.
I love how creative you can get with succulent planters! Just turned an old teapot into a home for my jade plant and it looks amazing on my kitchen windowsill.