• Copy by: Caroline Wilder
  • Feature Image By: Jenavieve Belair

From wall installations to single potted plants, succulents have been the hottest plant around recently. So we decided it was high time for a guide to create the perfect succulent garden.

Materials

To start, first gather supplies:

  • Hand shovel
  • Gardening gloves
  • Planting container
  • Variety of succulents (you can add cactitoo)
  • Succulent / cactus soil (important for drainage)
  • Rocks for drainage
  • Rocks or sand for decorative top layer (optional)

Create Drainage and Add Soil

Source: By Wild

To create drainage, fill the bottom of your container with rocks. This will allow water to pass through the soil and prevent rotting. Next, add the soil. Consider how much you'll need based on the root length of your plants. Succulents have shallow roots and don't need much soil, but you still want to make sure it will stay put. For best results, do this in a container with drainage holes.

Plant

Source: Feel Wunderbar

Now play around with your succulent arrangement! Once you've decided where each plant will go, pull the succulents out of the starter pots and loosen the roots from the soil. Hollow out a little space in the soil for each plant. Pack down the dirt around each one. Add a little more soil to the top and pat down again.

Because some succulents are layered, dirt will get stuck in them when you plant. Tip: Dust the dirt off by blowing gently through a drinking straw. You'll clean off your succulents without harming them or getting dirt everywhere. Works like a charm!

Decorative Top Layer

Source: A Beautiful Mess

This part is completely optional—it's just for looks. But if you wish, add decorative rocks or sand to the top, maybe even add a crystal or two! If you're using sand, give the planter a gentle shake to even it all out.

Plant Care

Source: Waiting on Martha

This is important. Succulents are wonderful, but they take a little TLC.

  • Succulents like having several hours of strong sunlight a day, but be careful to not let them get sunburned! Succulents tend to do better outdoors, so if you're growing them indoors, make sure to keep them in a particularly sunny spot.
  • These arenot plants you need to water every day. Only water succulents when the soil is completely dry. Watering schedules will be different for everyone because it will depend on a variety of factors (plant maturity, climate, humidity, drainage, whether the plant is inside or outside). Start things off on the right foot by keeping a close eye on your succulents to figure out what's right for your garden.
  • If your succulents are becoming discolored or shriveled, you probably need to adjust the amount of water they're getting. If this starts at the bottom, it's due to overwatering. If it starts at the top, you're underwatering.
  • For all things succulent care, check out Succulents & Sunshine.

Have you ever planted a succulent garden?