Calling all plant lovers who can't seem to keep anything alive! We've got the perfect indoor gardening solution for your not-so-green thumbs. Say hello to the low-maintenance magic of succulent bowls.
These little plant displays are basically made for busy humans who always forget to water their green babies. So in this blog, we at Happy Succulent Care are obsessed with sharing how to create stunning succulent arrangements that somehow always look beautiful with almost zero effort required. Let's dive into how to make your own!
Key Takeaways:
- Incorporating succulents in a bowl is a low-maintenance way to add greenery and color to any space.
- To make a succulent terrarium, you will need a container, succulent plants, potting soil, and decorative rocks or pebbles.
- Care for your indoor succulent garden by watering sparingly, providing adequate sunlight, fertilizing occasionally, and pruning or repotting when needed.
Why People Love Having a Succulent Bowl at Home
Sure, regular old potted plants add a nice green touch to your living space, but high-maintenance flower babies? Great, but no thanks, because we are quite lazy.
Succulents, on the other hand, are much more resilient. Their thick leaves act like water reservoirs, allowing them to survive extended periods of neglect - perfect for forgetful plant parents! Plus, these low-key lovelies come in tons of unique colors and shapes to suit any style.
Their unique growth patterns often eliminate the need for frequent pruning, as they tend to grow slowly and maintain their shape without much intervention. The adaptability of succulents to different light conditions also contributes to their easy care, as they can typically withstand a range of lighting situations, from bright sunlight to partial shade.
From vibrant Echeverias, Haworthias, or Burro's Tails to quirky String of Pearls, there's an endless variety to play with when creating your own mini succulent garden. And since most species stay fairly compact, a basic bowl planter is all you need to contain their beauty.
Materials Needed to Make a Succulent Bowl
Creating a succulent bowl requires a selection of materials, including a suitable bowl or container, various succulent plants, potting soil, and decorative rocks or pebbles to create a beautiful and functional planting arrangement.
Bowl or Container
Choosing the right bowl or container is crucial, and a shallow container is often preferred for creating a succulent arrangement. Shallow containers with 2-3 drainage holes provide proper drainage, preventing waterlogging, which can be detrimental to succulents. The shallow depth should be 2-3 inches deeper than the root systems, allowing their roots to spread and develop more effectively.
In terms of aesthetics, shallow containers create a visually pleasing display, as the plants tend to spread out rather than grow upwards, giving a fuller look. Choosing the right container can positively impact not only the growth but also the overall appearance of your succulent terrarium.
Potting Soil
Using appropriate potting soil, such as a cactus mix with added perlite, ensures proper drainage and healthy growth of succulents. Succulents have unique needs when it comes to soil composition, requiring a mix that promotes good aeration and water drainage. The combination of cactus mix and perlite provides the ideal balance, preventing waterlogging and root rot while supplying essential nutrients.
Decorative Rocks or Pebbles
Decorative rocks or pebbles, such as river rock, add an aesthetic touch and help maintain soil moisture in a succulent bowl. Aside from river rocks, other types of decorative rocks and pebbles can be used to customize the look of your succulent arrangement. One popular choice is lava rock, which not only adds a unique texture but also aids in drainage due to its porous nature. Using polished stones can bring a sleek and modern flair to your arrangement, while beach pebbles offer a smooth and rounded appearance.
Optional: Charcoal
Adding charcoal is optional but can help with moisture control and add a natural look to the succulent bowl. Charcoal acts as a natural filter, preventing waterlogging in the soil by absorbing excess moisture and balancing airflow within the container.
We do not recommend using moss because it retains moisture, creating an overly humid environment for succulents. This can cause mold or fungi on the top of the soil, which can damage the roots and leaves of our green babies.
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Make a Succulent Bowl
Step 1: Prep the Soil
Start by preparing your potting soil. Give it a light misting with water to moisten it up, but not too much - succulents don't like soaking wet soil. Fill your planter bowl about 3/4 full with the lightly moistened soil, leaving some room at the top for your succulent plants.
Step 2: Skip the Drainage Layer
You may have heard advice about adding a layer of rocks or pebbles to the bottom of planters for drainage, but it's actually better to skip this step for succulent bowls. Studies show that this layer can make the soil stay wetter longer by trapping moisture underneath, which is not good for our drought-loving succulents!
Step 3: Prep Succulents for Arrangement
Use clean scissors or pruners to remove your succulent plants from their nursery pots, keeping as many roots intact as possible. When arranging your succulents, consider the plant heights to create a sense of dimension within the arrangement. Place taller succulents at the center or towards the back and shorter ones towards the edges for a pleasing effect.
Think about the color palette of your succulents. Mixing contrasting colors like greens, purples, and blues can add interest, while sticking to a monochromatic scheme can create a serene look.
Pay attention to the textures of the succulents as well. Combining spiky, rosette-shaped, and trailing varieties can add depth and diversity to the arrangement. By considering these factors, you can achieve a harmonious and visually striking succulent display.
Step 4: Start Planting
Once you finish your design set, use the pruners to snip off any dead or damaged leaves and stems for a fresh start. You can also remove some of the lowest leaves to expose more stem for planting. Don't be afraid to shape and trim succulents as needed.
Use your fingers, a pencil, or a chopstick to poke holes in the soil where each succulent will go. The holes should allow the roots to be fully covered while keeping the bottom stems and leaves exposed. Gently firm the soil around each plant as you put them in the planter bowl.
Step 5: Add Decorative Touches
With all your succulents planted, it's time to decorate! Add layers of decorative sand, pretty pebbles, shells, or figurines to accent your little desert scene. Just don't go overboard - let your succulents be the center stage. Give the whole arrangement a light misting with a spray bottle to settle the soil. Those succulent rosettes will perk up as they drink in the moisture.
And that's it! With some basic supplies and low-maintenance succulents, you've created a stylish indoor succulent garden that's easy to care for. Nicely done!
Caring for Your Succulent Bowl
Caring for a succulent bowl involves specific maintenance practices, such as watering sparingly, providing adequate sunlight, occasional fertilizing, and pruning or repotting when necessary to ensure a healthy and thriving arrangement.
Water Sparingly
In terms of watering succulents, less is often more. One of the most common mistakes people make with these plants is giving them too much water, which can lead to root rot and ultimately kill the succulent.
To determine when your succulent needs water, you can stick your finger into the soil an inch or two deep. If the soil feels dry at that depth, it's time to water. It's important to let the soil dry out completely between waterings.
Provide Adequate Sunlight
Ensure the succulent bowl receives adequate sunlight, as light conditions are crucial for their growth and health.
Placing your succulent terrarium in a spot that receives around 6-8 hours of sunlight per day is ideal for most species, although some desert varieties can handle more intense sun exposure.
Consider the direction of sunlight to prevent burning or etiolation. Rotating the bowl periodically can help ensure all sides of the plants receive equal light distribution, promoting uniform growth.
Fertilize Occasionally
If you want to give your succulent bowls a nutrient boost, you can apply some balanced fertilizer (NPK) during spring and summer at the peak of growing months.
But it's honestly not even required! Most succulents are equipped to thrive on very little in terms of food. As long as you start with a well-draining, gritty soil mix, they'll be just fine without heavy feeding.
Pruning and Repotting
Prune and repot succulents when necessary to maintain their health and appearance. Signs that indicate the need for pruning or repotting include overgrowth, leggy stems, yellowing leaves, or the plant outgrowing its pot.
When pruning succulents, make sure to use clean, sharp tools to avoid damaging the plant. Remove any dead or damaged leaves, stems, or flowers to promote healthy growth.
If your succulent bowl gets extraordinarily overgrown and root-bound after a year or two, it may be time to transfer everything to a new planter with fresh soil. Choosing a pot 2-3 inches larger than the old one is enough.
Our Final Notes
There you have it, plant lovers! With just a handful of supplies and our simple instructions from us you're fully equipped to craft your own lush, low-maintenance succulent bowls.
So go ahead and get creative with your very own miniature desert scene! Mix and match colors, textures, and trailing varieties for a planting that wows. With such a low-lift care routine, you can essentially set it and forget it.
At Happy Succulent Care, we're all about embracing a laid-back approach to gardening. Let's ditch the demanding blooms and high-strung houseplants for good! Surround yourself with greens that are just as chill as you are instead.