Succulent Container Gardens

By Gary Lawson, Susie Silva & Christine Maness, UC Master Gardeners

Materials

• Selection of succulents (small potted plants or cuttings)
• Container with wide opening and drainage holes if possible
• Gravel or pebbles
• Cactus/succulent soil mix
• If no drainage: additional gravel, sand, and charcoal
• Optional accents: rocks, shells, ceramic figures, garden ornaments

How To Make a Succulent Container Garden

1. Clean container with a 10% bleach solution and rinse thoroughly.
2. Fill container with succulent soil, leaving about 2” from the top.
3. Create bowl-shaped spaces in the soil and insert succulents. Press roots or stems firmly into soil. Avoid overcrowding. If using cuttings, allow cut ends to callus before planting.
4. Add soil as needed to cover roots, leaving about 1” below the rim.
5. Water gently until soil is lightly moist. Avoid excess water, especially in containers without drainage.
6. Add gravel or pebbles around plants without covering foliage.
7. Add decorative accents as desired.

How To Care for a Succulent Container Garden

1. Place in bright, indirect light indoors or bright shade outdoors.
2. Rotate occasionally for even growth.
3. Use a saucer or tray to protect surfaces; empty standing water promptly.
4. Water sparingly—approximately ½ to 1 cup per month indoors. Water only when soil is completely dry. Overwatering is the most common cause of failure.
5. If plants become leggy, snip and replant cuttings.
6. Repot and refresh soil every 1–2 years.

Photos courtesy of Christine Maness/Shutterstock

References

• Hewitt, Terry. The Complete Book of Cacti & Succulents. DK Publishing, 1993.
• Moore, Jeff. Aloes & Agaves in Cultivation. Sunbelt Publications, 2016.
• Smith, Gideon & Van Wyk, Ben-Erik. The Garden Succulents Primer. Timber Press, 2008.