Succulents Planted In Unusual Containers

Are you bored with the usual store-bought containers to display your succulents? This will give you some ideas and inspiration on how to use unusual things in which to display and plant your succulents.

Succulents are great to plant in an atypical container because:

They have small root systems. Therefore, they don’t need much space or dirt.
They don’t mind being pot bound.
They’ll grow crowded in just fine.
You won’t need to water them all the time.
Caring for them is super easy.
These babies are very resilient.
You can get them in really small size pots and also as cuttings. This makes them easy to work with.
And last but not least, aren’t they the cutest?

Succulents planted in rain gutters

three rows of gutters planted with succulents they create a gorgeous display

This trend has been hot for the past couple of years. Rain gutters add a rustic feel to the display. If you’re looking for a way to showcase your succulents and all the containers seem too short, rain gutters will allow you to go the distance.

Old wash basin planted with succulents

Here’s an unusual one mainly because old wash basins are not things we see every day. This is a great way to give life back to an old wash basin. The succulents will make it look trendy and hip!

Succulents planted on palm debris

If you live where there are many palm trees, I’m sure you’ve seen debris on the ground after windy days. The debris is the base of big palm tree leaves. Because of their shape, they make good containers for plants with small root systems that don’t need much watering.

Hanging succulent trained on wire

This is the first time we came across succulents trained on hoops. We found these String Of Bananas rings at Sherman Gardens in California. Have you ever tried this before? Let us know – we’re very curious!

Old work boots planted with succulents

old pair of brown male hiking boots filled with succulents

I bet you’ve seen succulents planted in shoes before. The trick with these is to choose a pair that has a bit of character. I wouldn’t go for some modern looking ones with a lot of color for example. If you want them to last longer you can treat them with a weather resistant spray.

Old candle lantern used as a container

succulents planted in an old traditional lantern

string of pearls succulent planted inside a lantern shaped as a fish

I’ve seen this one quite a bit – succulents planted in all different kinds of lanterns. Here I share two very different ones.

A fish tank filled with succulents and coral

succulents planted inside a fish tank there are also corals inside it

I really like this display because they not only repurposed the tank, but they also reused the corals. Corals and succulents are always a good combo in my book. Just make sure not to have this display in a super hot place or in direct sunlight. You don’t want your succulents to burn and die from heat exhaustion.

Succulents displayed in a vintage bird cage

closeup picture of different succulents planted inside an old bird cage

Looking for a whimsical container for your succulents? Get that wonderful old bird cage and fill it in with your favorites. Adding hanging succulents is highly recommended!

A bamboo steamer used as a container

various succulents planted inside of a bamboo vegetable steamer

Don’t get rid of that old bamboo steamer! Reuse it as a rustic container.

Kid’s rain boot filled with succulents

If you’re looking for a smaller display, use a smaller shoe! In this case, a kid’s rain boot. Poking a drainage hole into the bottom of this one will be easy to do.

A cute mug used as a succulent planter

various succulents planted inside a white and red polka dots mug

Maybe you just broke the handle of your favorite mug. Don’t get rid of it quite yet! You can still enjoy it but in a different way. Glue the handle back on and fill it with mix and succulents.

Succulents growing in a toilet

talk about succulents planted in unusual containers check this old toilet filled with succulents in the vase and the cistern

This one’s not for everyone, that’s for sure. But it’s curiously odd and will certainly be a conversation starter.

A glass candle holder planted with succulents

succulent planted inside a gass candle holder attached to the wall

You can even add a hanging succulent for some extra interest.

Hope these inspire you to find an odd but interesting container for your succulents.

Happy gardening,

Lucy

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6 Comments

I had fun looking at all the possibilities for what to use to pot succulents. I love these types of plants and was very excited when we moved to Mesa, AZ a couple years ago because I thought how easy it would be to have tons of succulents. This year we are in a “new” house and I baked and killed everything I had! Is there a book or website or something that you would recommend to me to learn about what the succulents will take and not take? I did all right last year because we were in a place that had a covered patio, so they didn’t get direct sun….I’m learning they may not like the hot desert summer sun! Yet you see succulents growing wild in the desert, so I’m a bit stymied. Thanks for reading this amateur’s question!

What happens in the cold weather? Do they all die?

This is truly darling, BUT many of the succulents do not stay small. My sweet little succulent garden looked like a monster movie set within a couple of years. I love that, too, but I longed for them to stay babies… Also, the personable gal on the video needs to stay facing forward; her audio cut out drastically almost every time she turned away from the camera. I loved all the planting container ideas except for the toilet. You were at a cafe? It’s bad enough to see a toilet in someone’s front yard, let alone when I’m eating. This would be perfect (for me) if not for that. Thanks!

Hi Carol – Most of these pictures/video clips were taken on the coast of southern California with a few shot in Tucson. No snow! Nell

Hi Wendy –
Yes, we were at a cafe which serves drinks only & closes at 4. As for the toilet … each to their own! Nell

My pleasure Mary! I moved from Santa Barbara CA (ideal climate for fleshy succulents) to Tucson AZ last year. I’m still learning here too but the key is to keep them in bright shade. The sun is so intense here that it’ll fry them in no time because of all the water stored in their leaves; in the summer anyways. I find that I have to water mine more often than I did in CA. Cacti, which are also succulents, as you know do just fine here. I don’t know of any websites or books on this subject. Maybe I should do a post & video on “growing fleshy succulents in the desert”! Nell

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