No matter your level of houseplant skill, everyone can look after a succulent. They're low-maintenance, don't mind a bit of neglect, and come in a wide range of colors, sizes, textures, and shapes, so there really is one for everyone.
While we aren't offended by the idea of just placing a succulent on a windowsill, this isn't the best way to make the most of these beauties. The truth is, there are so many different ways to style succulents indoors, and with so many types of indoor succulents available, it's the perfect plant to get creative with in your home.
From making a terrarium to using vertical space and repurposing old items as planters, you can display succulents in whichever way best suits your interior aesthetic. But, it can be overwhelming to navigate all the possible ways to display succulents in your home. That's why we've compiled our favorite succulent styling ideas right here for you to browse.
5 stunning ways to style succulents indoors
It can be easy to get carried away with the creativity of putting together a succulent display, but don't forget to also familiarize yourself with how to care for succulents.
They don't mind being ignored for a little while, but neglecting their existence entirely only results in your succulents dying. With that being said, here are some of the most unique ways to style succulents indoors.
1. Succulent centerpiece
This succulent display is ideal for a minimalist decor enthusiast, as it's an understated curation that still shows off the beauty of the plants. Plus, it's incredibly quick and easy to put together, so you can make a succulent centerpiece in under an hour.
'Succulents are great for creating mixed bowls, as they come in so many varieties, shapes, sizes, and colors,' says Nicole Young, houseplant expert from Greenspace Plants.
It's wise to choose succulents that have similar care requirements when creating a centerpiece, as it will make watering your succulents a lot easier.
'You can even mix succulents and cacti to create beautiful displays, because they are both desert plants, needing dry sandy soil, lots of sunlight, and long periods between waterings,' Nicole says.
While it is possible to use any type of bowl for your succulent centerpiece, one with drainage holes will help prevent your succulents sitting in excess water and suffering houseplant root rot. This bowl planter with drainage holes on Amazon would work well, for example. Just make sure to use a saucer beneath to catch the water that drains out.
'You can get creative with your displays, fill gaps with different colored sand and pebbles to cover soil, add decorative moss, or include your favorite crystals to add color or match flowering succulents,' Nicole suggests.
2. Succulent tea cups
For those with a more eclectic taste, repurposing tea cups as succulent planters can bring charm to your plant displays. In fact, you can turn just about any unused vessel in your home into a planter.
Tea cups should be on your list of antiques to collect for this reason. Delicate patterns on dainty cups (like these stoneware tea cups from Anthropologie) can compliment the succulents growing inside them, and it can give an overall vintage feel to your succulent display.
But, it's not just for aesthetics that you should grow succulents in tea cups. The shallowness of these vessels is suitable for the shallow roots of succulents, and will help prevent oversaturated soil which could turn succulents yellow and go mushy.
Try lining your succulent tea cups on a shelf, dot them on a bookshelf, or keep it on theme and add them to your tablescaping plans.
3. Succulent living wall
Using vertical space is certainly a houseplant trend we see sticking around for a while. Not only is it a space-saving solution, it also creates an impressive living wall feature in your home. The benefit of using succulents in this way is their different textures make an impact when planted en masse.
There are are a few ways to go about creating a vertical garden in your home. For example, interior styling expert Vanessa Carter says: 'You can mount some small planters on your walls and fill them with succulents.' Alternatively, use this vertical wall planter from Amazon.
For a more advanced DIY to achieve the look pictured above, you can use a box picture frame (from Walmart) and some wire mesh (from Amazon).
Remove the glass of the frame, fill it with succulent soil (from Amazon) and then put the wire mesh in place over the top. You should then carefully plant your succulents in the holes of the mesh, making sure to plant them compactly so soil doesn't escape when you hang it vertically.
4. Succulent terrarium
Making a terrarium is a fun houseplant project, and succulents are some of the best terrarium plants to choose.
Although you may associate terrariums with being humid, moist microclimates, they can also be used for dry growing conditions. It all comes down to managing moisture levels, made easier with this soil moisture meter from Amazon.
There are so many styles of terrariums you can choose from - like this drop terrarium from Anthropologie or this geometric terrarium from Amazon - but, the best ones for succulent terrariums are those that are open and provide ventilation to ensure there isn't a build-up of moisture.
To help maintain suitable moisture levels in your succulent terrarium, try making your own succulent potting mix with well-draining materials, like perlite.
5. Succulent book planter
For lovers of bookshelf wealth and all things literature, this unique twist to a succulent planter is a must.
It requires a hardcover book you don't mind sacrificing. Our top tip is to thrift one if you don't want to part with any special books you already have in your collection.
You need to have your succulents planted up in a nursery pot - like these nursery pots from Amazon. You then want to trace around the pot on the cover of your chosen book.
Taking cutting tools, you can cut out the pot shape. Depending on the material of the book you have selected, you will need different tools to get this done. For example, this drill from Walmart will help cut into the hard cover. You can then use a jigsaw (from Walmart) to cut the hole and hollow out the book. Remember to always wear protective gear when using power tools.
It's wise to then glue in place a planter liner (from Amazon) to prevent moisture getting to the book pages and causing mold. Your pots can then be placed in the hole to create the illusion of them growing out of the book.
FAQs
Can you grow succulents in water?
Yes, it is possible to grow succulents in water. It consists of setting succulents up in a vessel full of water, with their roots submerged. Like other plants in hydroponic gardening, it's important to regularly change out the water to keep it clean. You should likewise make sure the succulent roots have access to oxygen, by not fully submerging them. Something to note, however, is not all succulents can be grown in this way. The best types to grow in water include echeverias, sedums, and jade plants.
Once you've decided which succulent styling idea you want to adopt, it's time to choose the right succulents. There are plenty of fast-growing succulents available which can fill out a space quickly. Just don't forget to repot succulents as they grow bigger, as they aren't made to live in the same pot forever.
