Potting up a new container is one of my favorite gardening activities. There’s no creativity in weeding or watering, so crafting new arrangements is a chance to flex my creative muscles and think of something out of the box.
Succulents are the ideal candidates for this task. There is almost endless versatility between species, with different shapes, colors, and forms to work with. But despite this versatility, they generally appreciate the same soil conditions and have the same watering needs.
You don’t need to worry about pairing companions or one living at the expense of the other – they will all live happily together without fuss.
Gain some inspiration from these beautiful succulent container arrangement ideas, including some tips on how to plant them.
No Waste Containers
Reuse cracked ceramic or terra cotta containers for dramatic succulent arrangements.
If you have a ceramic or terra cotta container you love, don’t let it go to waste when it cracks. As long as a salvageable section is large enough to fit some potting soil, you can create a dramatic arrangement with succulent plants.
In this container, structural desert succulents and cacti are planted together and match the feel of the cracked pot. The stones fill in empty gaps of soil and create a mini-landscape that gives your old pots new life.
Varying Heights
Create visually impressive container arrangements by varying plant heights.
When arranging a container, you can follow a few design rules to create something visually impressive. One of those is emphasizing form by varying the heights of your plants. Unfortunately, this can be tough to do with compact succulents that often stick low to the soil. Instead, grow low-growing succulents with tall, lanky ones for contrast.
This arrangement uses asymmetrical height with a small Portulacaria to balance the size of the container below. This also helps the large Echeveria rosette stand out more, rather than blending in with the other succulents of the same height.
Cottagecore Charm
Transform old teapots into cute succulent planters with drilled drainage holes to prevent rot.
Whether you’ve fallen in love with the cottagecore aesthetic or simply have a few old teapots you want to get rid of, this is the way to do it. Succulents are the perfect size for these recycled teapots, creating an amazing container feature without extra maintenance.
If you do want to try this combination, it’s important to consider drainage. Succulents don’t like sitting in soggy soil and need careful watering and sufficient drainage to prevent rot. Drill a few holes in the bottom of the teapot before adding any soil to avoid any issues later on.
Cactus Arrangement
Shallow containers boost the architectural appeal of trendy desert plant arrangements.
Desert plants are on trend at the moment, not just for their low-maintenance and waterwise characteristics but also for their architectural and dramatic look. This potted cactus garden (with a pointy Haworthiopsis thrown in the mix) emphasizes the spikes and shapes of each one, with added texture from the sculptural rocks.
This is a great way to use shallow containers or dishes that are tough to fill. As cacti and some succulents have shallow root systems, they don’t mind being planted in shorter containers (as long as there is sufficient drainage). You can even try growing your own cacti for the arrangement from seed!
Complementary Colors
Choosing succulents for arrangements offers a diverse range of colors.
One of the most exciting parts of choosing succulents for an arrangement is the array of colors on offer. You’re bound to find something you fall in love with, from minimal silvery greys to bright lime greens to moody purples, and contrasting colors on the same plant.
This pot makes color the star, pairing complementary colors like green and red with purple and yellow. These contrasts intensify each color, creating a bolder look. Keeping the container simple and repeating the rosette shapes of Echeveria and Sempervivum also helps the differentiating factor – their colors – stand out.
Whimsical Decor
Decorate succulent arrangements with ornaments or aquarium décor for added whimsy and charm.
Succulent arrangements don’t have to just contain plants. Add a sense of whimsy and fun to your design with a few decorations nestled between them. This small cottage and picket fence turn the entire container into an adorable display that just invites you to look closer.
There’s no limit to your creativity and imagination when you expand beyond plants. You can sculpt your own décor if you want something specific, or search online for small ornaments that balance with your container. Aquarium décor often works well (I like to use them in terrariums, too).
Little Landscapes
Turning a container into a tiny, plant-filled landscape creates a captivating living artwork.
Taking the décor up a notch, you can turn a simple container into an entire tiny landscape that tells a story. This requires careful selection of plants and the right balance, but the outcome is worth it in the end.
This recycled succulent container turns succulents and cacti (that would normally be considered compact) into towering trees and shrubs planted next to ornamental homes.
The empty area covered with pebbles adds to the feeling of space, making the container feel like a living artwork. You certainly wouldn’t have the same impact just pairing the same succulents in a regular pot.
Lithops Garden
Unique lithops, ideal for busy gardeners, are hardy succulents requiring minimal care.
Traditional succulents are beloved for their low-maintenance nature. But for busy gardeners, even that might be too much. If that’s the case, you need lithops.
Lithops are tough succulent plants that thrive on little to no attention. They need very infrequent watering, and even when you do water, just a teaspoon is enough to replicate the Southern African desert environments they are used to.
This container highlights the beauty of these intricate plants, packed tightly to show off their unique shapes and colors in a tiny lithops garden.
Overflowing
Create a lush and abundant look by planting an overflowing succulent container with geometric shapes.
Succulents are known for their geometric and structural shapes. This can look somewhat out of place in a natural and overflowing garden with few lines and limited structure. Combine the best of both worlds by planting an overflowing succulent container that cascades over the sides of the pot like these sedums, creating a lush and abundant look.
Unfortunately, you won’t be able to achieve this look overnight. Plant each species close together in the pot but not so close that the plants are overcrowded. This will give them enough room to fill out to create this look.
Succulent Terrariums
Planting succulents in open glass containers with proper airflow is crucial.
Since terrariums are closed systems by definition, the phrase ‘succulent terrarium’ is a little misleading. Succulents will quickly rot in traditional terrariums. But, if you plant in an open rather than closed glass that allows for more airflow, you can create a similar look without risking the health of the plants.
Succulent terrariums require careful layering and water to stop moisture from collecting around the roots. Ideally, it’s better to plant in a glass with drainage holes. If that’s not possible, only apply small amounts of water at a time rather than completely saturating the soil.
Living Art
Enhance succulent arrangements by using unconventional containers like wooden frames.
Crafting a unique and beautiful succulent container arrangement doesn’t just require creativity in choice of plants. The container itself has a massive impact on your display. Forego the traditional pot and plant your succulents in a wooden frame instead, ready to lay on your table or hang as a piece of living art.
If you plan on laying it flat, drill drainage holes into the bottom of the container. If you want to hang it up, drill holes in the sides instead and staple mesh wire to the frame after filling it with soil to hold all the plants in place.
Wheelbarrow Container
Transform an old wheelbarrow into a stylish succulent container, utilizing its holes for effective drainage.
If you have a rusty, spent wheelbarrow that’s just taking up space in your garden, repurpose it in a charming succulent arrangement. I consider these the original upcycled container, now a staple in many gardens.
Wheelbarrows often go unused if they develop holes. As long as the hole is not too large, this can actually be a benefit for your arrangement for drainage. If the wheelbarrow doesn’t have any holes, drill a few at the lowest point based on how you plan to display your wheelbarrow, allowing the collected excess moisture to drain out the bottom.
Negative Space
Arranging succulents in a container with negative space and vibrant gravel creates a unique design.
When you’re potting up a container filled with flowers or herbs, leaving gaps looks a little sparse. It makes the container look empty or less abundant than if you were to fill it with more plants. But when it comes to succulents, negative space can be an asset in design.
This arrangement splits the container down the middle, focusing the plants only on one side. This, along with the use of the bright gravel, instantly elevates the design into something more unique. Combine succulents of different sizes to blend the two sections together seamlessly.
Trailing Succulents
Container designs often follow the ‘thriller, filler, spiller’ rule for an aesthetically pleasing arrangement.
‘Thriller, filler, spiller’ is a phrase often used in container design. It’s pretty self-explanatory – one plant should be the highlight, one should fill and complement, and one should spill out the sides of the pot. While you don’t have to follow this rule, it is an easy recipe for an aesthetically pleasing arrangement.
Trailing succulents like Senecio are ideal spiller plants, with long vines that perfectly cascade out of this cone-shaped container. Different species have differently shaped leaves, from string of bananas to string of dolphins, providing plenty of variety.
Festive Fun
Planting succulents in pumpkins is perfect as they flourish in slightly damp soil, minimizing watering requirements.
Decorating in fall for Thanksgiving and Christmas can be a pricey endeavor. Luckily for gardeners, it doesn’t have to be. If you have a pumpkin patch and a couple of succulents ready for planting, your holiday will be sorted in no time.
Succulents are perfect for planting in pumpkins as they don’t require much moisture. If you plant in slightly damp soil and display them for a couple of weeks before transplanting to their long-term homes, you likely won’t need to water them at all. This avoids any issues with rotting early on for much longer-lasting décor.
Bring The Drama
Dark succulents in goth gardens are trending, offering a dramatic and moody touch.
Goth gardens are big this year, and their popularity shows no signs of slowing down soon. Dramatic and moody plants are current favorites, particularly in the world of succulents. You can use the dramatic qualities of dark succulents to your advantage to create a succulent container arrangement like this that’s bound to stand out.
It’s clear that the center is the highlight in this container. Pairing with lighter green species on either side, along with creamy pebbles and a stark white container, intensifies the purple-black color for extra contrast.
Pebble Designs
Enhance succulent container arrangements with visual appeal using carefully chosen pebbles.
Succulent container arrangements typically feature a variety of different species in one pot for added visual interest. However, you can still create visual interest using a single species if you choose your pebbles and placement carefully.
In this container, contrasting grey and white pebbles are used to create an adorable heart-shaped design that highlights the three small succulents in the center. Without the pebbles, the pot would look sparse and empty. With them, the design is instantly more thoughtful.
Colored Gravel
This can enhance container designs along the sides, especially in a glass container.
Just like pebbles can be used to decorate the top of your container, colored gravel can also be used to create unique designs along the sides. This display obviously calls for a glass container to make whatever design you choose visible, so you’ll need to be a little more selective about the pot you choose.
Having tried an arrangement like this, I will say it requires a little patience. Clean lines between layers, particularly for intricate designs, are difficult to achieve in a rush. Use stiff cardboard or plastic to hold the gravel in place when filling with soil, removing carefully after planting so you don’t affect the design.
Double Containers
Create whimsical container arrangements by placing a decorative inner pot within a larger one.
One of my favorite succulent container arrangements is using a pot within a pot. This is great for shallow containers on lower surfaces that are largely viewed from above.
If you don’t want to stick to just plants, lay another pot on its side and plant as if the succulents are falling out of the container. It’s a fun twist on a standard arrangement that will add a little whimsy to your garden. Pick a decorative container for the inner pot, like this adorable watering can.
Go Big
For larger succulent displays, use a larger central plant like Aloe to create balance.
Many popular succulents are quite compact, requiring plenty of plants for a larger display. But if you have a big container to fill and want to create balance, start with a larger central plant like this Aloe instead.
In taller containers, succulents that stay low can often get lost and only make an impact when you’re close up. Draw the eye to the container first with the taller species and fill in with companions down below to add a pop of color.
Window Box
A succulent-filled window box offers a low-maintenance indoor gardening option for spaces with limited sunlight.
The traditional window box is a garden staple that brings a touch of the outdoors much closer to your home. But if you have a harsh sunny spot and don’t want to stare at a pop full of dying annuals every morning, fill your window box with succulents instead.
This is a great solution for anyone who wants to grow succulents indoors but doesn’t have a sunny enough spot to keep them happy. In a window box, you can still enjoy their beauty from inside while they enjoy the most of the sunshine outside.
Succulent Tiers
Using smaller pots as tiers in a container arrangement creates a stunning succulent fountain.
Another twist on a container within a container, this arrangement uses smaller pots as tiers to create a fountain of stunning succulents. Shallow containers are better for balance, but you can also stabilize the inner containers with pebbles to stop them from falling over.
When you’re planting, it’s best to fill with soil and construct the tiers first. Then, you can fill in the gaps without risking squashing any of the plants later on.
Raised Beds
Utilizing raised beds enhances control over growing conditions and facilitates plant care and harvesting.
Raised beds are often used in vegetable gardens, giving you better control over growing conditions and making the plants easier to access for care and (most importantly) harvesting. But raised beds can be useful in succulent gardens, too, highlighting specific plants and adding dimension in height.
One of the best reasons to use a raised bed for your succulent arrangement is drainage. If your garden soil doesn’t drain well enough to plant succulents, constructing a raised bed and filling it with well-draining sandy soil will eliminate the problem.
Hanging Baskets
Succulents are well-suited for hanging baskets with fast drainage, limited soil capacity, and sun exposure.
Hanging baskets can be tough environments for sensitive plants that require regular watering. They drain incredibly quickly, don’t hold much soil, and are often exposed to full sun, which exacerbates the moisture issues.
Luckily, succulents thrive in these conditions. This basket features several tough species that won’t mind less frequent watering and dry soil. Just be sure to hang the baskets closer to eye level so all the stunning succulents are visible, not just the trailing ones.
Driftwood Display
Repurpose old logs or sculptural driftwood with gaps into unique succulent planters for a natural look.
If you have any old logs in your garden or a piece of sculptural driftwood with a few gaps, it can easily be turned into a planter for a beautiful succulent arrangement.
Planting in smaller gaps and crevices replicates how some of these plants grow between rocks in their native habitats and creates a wonderful natural look when planted carefully. This combination of Echeveria, Sempervivum, and Haworthia also provides variety in color and texture to enjoy.
Dark Contrasts
Highlighting specific plants in your garden can be achieved by using vibrant colors.
Smaller succulents can often blend in with the rest of your garden, even if they are kept in their own containers. If you want to highlight specific plants and draw the eye, the best way to do that is with color.
This succulent display features three different species in three different pot sizes, all with the same dramatic black color. This color is impossible to miss, turning the succulents into instant feature plants.
Simple Centerpiece
Ideal for table décor, a narrow horizontal planter with ample soil promotes succulent longevity.
If your succulent arrangement will largely serve as table décor, this narrow horizontal planter is ideal. The container is large enough to hold plenty of soil to keep the plants happy, ensuring they live far longer than the event you’re planning for.
The mix of complementary colors, texture, and height creates a simple but effective design that will look stunning on any dinner table.
Final Thoughts
Planting up a succulent container arrangement is your chance to be creative. Recreate these designs or use them as inspiration to craft a container unique to you.
