Succulents have become incredibly popular this summer, making appearances everywhere from farmers markets to grocery stores. West Elm even features stunning large-scale succulent terrariums. Inspired, James and I decided to embark on a weekend project to create our own!
Materials Needed:
- Glass container (we found ours at Marshalls)
- River rocks (for drainage)
- Cactus soil
- A variety of succulents (available at Home Depot and Lowe’s)
Steps to Create Your Terrarium:
- Prepare the Base Layer:
Start by adding river rocks to the bottom of your glass container. This helps with drainage and prevents root rot. - Add Soil:
On top of the rocks, layer a shallow amount of cactus soil. Succulents have short roots, so you don’t need a lot of soil. - Organize and Plant:
To achieve a visually pleasing arrangement, position taller plants towards the back and shorter ones in front. Feel free to experiment until you find a layout you love. I wish I’d included some colorful succulents to break up the green! - Planting the Succulents:
Gently remove each succulent from its plastic container, shake off excess soil, and loosen the roots. Create a small hole in the soil, place the plant inside, and cover the roots with more cactus soil. - Final Touches:
After planting, you can add decorative pieces. We placed some leftover river rocks on top for added visual interest.
To keep things tidy, we worked outdoors to avoid a mess inside.
Care Tips for Your Succulents:
- Light: Place them in bright, indirect sunlight. Too much direct sunlight can harm them.
- Watering: Keep the soil damp but not soggy. Mist the soil when it looks dry to prevent over or under-watering.
- Seasonal Adjustments: Water more frequently in warmer months and adjust sunlight exposure during winter.
- Pest Prevention: Good drainage helps avoid bugs.
We’re thrilled with how our terrarium turned out, and it now brightens our coffee table. I’m excited to create another one soon!