Though Christmas trees are already starting to pop up for sale, I still can’t help but be drawn to another brilliantly green plant: the succulent. After all, the hardy succulent has color that virtually never fades, barely needs watering and comes in a vast array of shapes, sizes and shades, with some even appearing muted gray or purple. Succulents have also been having a moment in the design world, with nearly everyone from Ralph Lauren featuring them in his Desert Home Lifestyle Collection to Restoration Hardware adorning a clamshell in its Garden Objects Collection with the species.
Not only are succulents easy to maintain and on trend, they look just as appropriate indoors as out, which got me thinking that I needed to use them somehow, somewhere. My only objective for the project was finding a unique container, and then one afternoon while enjoying lunch on my balcony, the perfect container presented itself: a most unusual metal tray that sat naked on my outdoor urn-turned-table. Given to me by a friend, the tray had candlestick holders of varying heights soldered to it, but had nary a candle or anything colorful to give it personality. My friend suggested I put something around its base, but I couldn’t quite put my finger on what that something was until I realized that succulents belonged there. My green-all-year arrangement commenced!
For this Soul-worthy DIY, I utilized the following materials:
- Pen
- Tape
- Scissors
- Plastic Trash Bag
- Floral Craft U Pins (similar here)
- 1 Variety Pack of Natural Tree Lichen
- 2 Sheets of Preserved Moss
- 7 Smokeless, Dripless 12-inch Taper Candles
- 4 Types of Succulents (mine came from Home Depot and Hewitt Garden and Design Center)
- Candlestick holder tray, but could use any tray
1. To begin, I held a trash bag over the top of the candlestick holders and used a pen to mark where all the holders were on the bag. Then I punched through each marked spot with scissors so that I could cut small holes for the candlesticks to fit through. Once all the holes were cut, I slid the bag gently over each holder and slid it to the bottom of the tray. I secured the bag with tape to the bottom of the tray so that it functions as a liner for the plants.
2. The next step is to cut the preserved moss mat to fit the outside of the succulent pots. Once that’s done, hold the cut mat around the outside of the pots, and secure the ends together with craft pins. You can also use the craft pins to help fold over the top edges of the mat into the dirt so that you can’t see the pots.
3. Order the succulents on the tray however you think they’ll look best; I chose to put my shortest ones on the outside for some reason, and the tallest ones in the middle and back. Place the natural tree lichen or whatever moss (real or fake) you like around the pots to cover the plastic bag liner.
4. Place the candles last and light them briefly so they don’t have stark white wicks. If your tray doesn’t have candlestick holders, which it probably won’t, you can always add some candles. Just make sure the candles are in some type of glass or metal holder to prevent them from catching the surrounding plants on fire.
5. Position your arrangement in a well-lit area and only water when the plants become dry. I water mine about once a week and only from a small cup that came with some orchids I have. As for the surrounding moss, I lightly mist it with water one time a month. I also turn my arrangement around every few days so that each of the succulents gets its fair share of sun. While my arrangement stayed outside some, I’ve brought it in for a warm refuge this holiday season, so don’t forget to do the same for yours.
*Images by House + Soul
Hope your green-all-year arrangement adds a little soul to your home. Please send House + Soul pics if you attempt this DIY project or one similar, as we’d love to post your results on our social media channels.
Your House + Soul guru,
Leah
P.S.-If you’re not the DIY type but love succulents (or want to gift them), check out arrangements locally here and here.
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House + Soul founder and CEO Leah Fitzpatrick proudly holds REALTOR status and hangs her license with Keller Williams Realty in Franklin, Tennessee. A passionate communicator and editor for nearly nine years, thoroughness to detail and unrelenting research tactics are her fortes—both of which translate well when tracking down houses and writing contracts in the Nashville area’s booming real estate market. She’ll also happily engage in any conversation about winemaking or vineyards, hiking, travel, cocker spaniels, art and interior design. Leah welcomes you to reach out to grab coffee with her should you want to discuss any real estate needs.
