Summer is almost here, which can only mean one thing: Let the succulent planting begin! I absolutely love spending Saturdays in my garden, and have recently become obsessed with succulents. They’re everywhere I look! They’re a wonderful plant for warmer summer climates, and can withstand a solid week without a water (perfect for vacations).
Here I’ll reveal many innovative ways to style an outdoor succulent garden, so you can create your own wonderland!
Photo via Flora Grubb Gardens
Explore my favorite inspiration for succulent garden design!
1. Vertical gardens
Vertical gardens are both practical and beautiful! Sometimes you love the idea of gardening, but your outdoor space is limited — these designs are the perfect solution. Personally, this is something I deal with living in Reno where grass is hard to come by and yard space even harder. This vertical garden showcasing succulents will wow your guests. Perhaps you’re wondering the secret to holding all the plants inside even when hanging? It’s initial horizontal planting. Planting your garden first in the panel, and allowing it to grow horizontally for at least a month will help you recreate this vertical wonder with no fail. The project does require a little bit of patience. (I always hate the waiting process), but it proves to be completely worth it for the work of art in your backyard!
Photo via Design Public
2. Patio gardens
Spice up your patio with a succulent and herb patio garden like the one seen above. It that will add color and life to your average concrete patio. This design also provides a convenient summer cocktail herb grab (mojitos and mint juleps anyone?). Another great thing about succulents are that they require very little soil to thrive, and the plants actually do well in rocky soil, allowing you to make your patio aesthetically pleasing, water-conservation friendly, as well as green and lively.
Photo via A Beautiful Mess
3. Vintage pot gardens
Thrifting old, large pots may work better than you think! Stop by your local thrift shop or a garage sale and scoop up some pots to create mid-century modern cuteness with these Vintage Planter Succulent Gardens that are sure to be a hit indoors or out! One of the great features about these mini-gardens is that you can easily transport them from your living room to your porch. They provide just the right amount of greenery-to-effort ratio, bringing beautiful peace into your hectic summer schedule.
Photo via Craftsy member Balatong
4. Creative gift gardens
Making a small succulent garden is a wonderful way to show your appreciation for someone this time of year. Write out a sentiment in tiny pots to create a miniature typography garden, or use garden twine and glue like Craftsy member Balatong did above for a presentation that will delight and inspire your friends.
Photo by Craftsy member Carsok
5. Succulent garden wreath
Make a living wreath garden to hang either outdoors, or inside. Succulents are perfect for wreaths since they need very little maintenance once carefully set in place. This wreath is a perfect way to welcome guests to the gorgeous garden just beyond the door.
A few tips for gardening with succulents:
1. Lighting
Succulents need lots of bright sunlight. A great way to tell if a succulent is getting too much light is that its leaves will begin to look bleached out or scorched with a brown tint. On the other hand, if a succulent is not getting enough light it will begin to stretch out vertically creating an elongated stem and no new buds will form, or the leaves will begin to wilt or fall off.
2. Temperature
Succulents enjoy an average temperature anywhere from 40-85 F (typical desert temperatures). If you live in a place that will go below that range, try to make your plants mobile so you can bring them inside at night.
3. Water
The number one reason succulents die is over-watering. Succulents require a lot less water than we tend to think. I have personally killed a few succulents due to over-watering (one of my cacti was actually completely engulfed by mold). If you are over-watering, your plant will appear soft and discolored (possibly yellow or white). To tell if your plant is being under-watered, check to see if it’s shedding its leaves, as that would be a sure indicator. In spring and summer it’s best to water your succulents about twice a month, on average, and in the fall and winter only every month.
Great tips. I have some succulents ordered and hope they do well.
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