How To Create And Care For Your Stunning Succulent Arrangements

There are basically three ingredients you need to grow healthy and beautiful succulents in your home: soil, water and sunlight. It sounds really easy when you put it this way and it really is simple.

Succulent Arrangements
Miniature succulent plants

Succulents don’t require a lot of maintenance. They pretty much take care of themselves and you have more time to think how to make beautiful succulent arrangements.

Types of Succulent Plants FOR Arrangements

Did you know there are thousands of different succulents in the world? While some of them share some physical traits with others, certain species are completely different from what we perceive a succulent to look like, so let’s review some of the most common types that are often grown as houseplants. 

Aenomiun

Aeoniums are succulents with vibrant colors. While they vary in color and size, and most of them feature thick, waxy leaves resembling pinwheel rosettes.

Agave

The tapering, rigid, and thick leaves of agaves make them clearly identifiable. While the majority are monocarpic, they will produce numerous “pups” before the mother plant dies.

Aloe

aloe succulent

Aloes are most well-known as a result of Aloe vera’s medical benefits and appeal. However, this succulent group is quite different in terms of size and texture. You’ll discover vibrant hybrids and gigantic varieties capable of living for 100 years or more.

Crassula

Crassula

Crassulas are some of the most clearly recognizable succulents, with hundreds of species. They occur in a broad variety of sizes, colors, and rosettes, the most well-known of which are the Crassula ovata types.

Echeveria

Echeverias produce stunning rosettes in an array of forms and hues. They are frequently used as an alternative to wedding bouquets and succulent arrangements.

Euphorbia

Euphorbias are frequently confused for cacti due to their look. Euphorbias produce a white sap that’s latex related and can induce allergic reactions on the skin. Additionally, they have smaller flowers that are often yellow or white in color.

Gasteria

Due to the form and sturdiness of their leaves, these dark green succulents are frequently mistaken for Aloes. Numerous species have broad, thick leaves and may be covered in “warts” (also called bumps). 

Graptopetalum Hybris

Graptopetalums are a genus of succulent hybrids that includes the genera Graptoveria, Graptosedum, Graptophytum, and Graptopetalum. Each hybrid possesses a variety of distinct characteristics and hues, but all must create rosettes and are easy to spread.

Haworthia

Haworthia

Haworthia species (including Haworthiopsis) are typically tiny succulents that are green in color. Some types of Haworthiopsis have windowed leaves, while others have more robust leaves resembling Aloes.

Kalanchoe

Kalanchoes are frequently seen in succulent arrangements, but also make great gifts for plant lovers. They have gorgeous flowers in a variety of hues. Because they are prolific propagators, it is easy to obtain more for free. Because they are potentially harmful, keep them out of reach of children and pets.

Mammillaria

Mammillarias are easily identifiable by their round form and spectacular flowers. Additionally, they are known as pincushion and globe cactus. While they do not grow to great heights, they cluster and pile.

Opuntia

The paddle-shaped arms of Opuntias make them easily identifiable. They can tolerate extremes of heat and cold and produce edible fruit.

Sedum

This genus contains cold-hardy and soft succulents (non-cold hardy). Certain kinds provide great ground cover and can be substituted for grass in xeriscaping.

Sempervivum

Additionally referred to as “Hens and Chicks”, sempervivums are monocarpic, but will produce a large number of offsets, or “chicks,” before dying. They are cold tolerant and exhibit vibrant colors in harsh temperatures.

Senecio

Senecios come in an array of forms and hues. Some, such as “String of Pearls,” have lengthy stems that extend beyond the container in which they are placed. Others, such as the “Cocoon Plant,” have ascending branching stems. Numerous Senecios are hazardous to humans and animals.

How Do You Care for a Succulent Plant?

How Do You Care for a Succulent Plant?

Succulent plants, while different in appearance, have quite similar care routines, so we’ve put together some tips that will teach you how to make sure your succulents are healthy and happy.

1. Temperature preferences

While succulents can typically withstand more rainfall than they would in their natural habitat, their roots may rot if the soil remains wet. Only a few succulents live outside where temperatures regularly fall below freezing. Cold-hardy types include fine-leaved perennial stonecrops and hens-and-chicks; genera that also struggle in temperatures above 80 degrees.

2. Soil requirements

Succulents thrive on gritty, fast-draining soils, whether in the ground or in containers. You can purchase packaged cactus mix but making your own is less expensive.

Decrease the amount of compost and replace it with sharp sand, such as decomposed granite or builder’s sand, if you’re growing predominantly desert succulents. If your natural soil drains poorly (as clay does), plant atop the clay in raised beds or mounded soil to minimize roots sitting in water.

For containers, combine half of any commercial potting soil with pumice. Add more pumice in the soil for rotund euphorbias or cacti, and decrease it in the soil for fine-leaved succulents.

3. Pest control

Provide excellent air circulation for succulents to avoid infections. Aphids and thrips prefer flower buds; scale prefers stems; and mealy bugs (which resemble lint particles) crawl into leaf axils.

Spray bugs with 70 percent rubbing alcohol mixed with 50 percent water. Scale may be scraped off, but if it continues, treat it with horticulture soap and oil (not dish soap). Isolate and thoroughly clean any affected plants promptly to prevent the pests from spreading.

In humid locations, mold may be an issue so make sure your succulents are as dry as they can be.

If it appears as though pests are winning, trim some cuttings from unaffected growth and replant them in new soil. Remove the infected plant completely, including the soil, and thoroughly clean the pot before reusing.

Do Succulents like Sun or Shade?

Do Succulents like Sun or Shade?

When thinking about succulents and cacti, people typically see desert plants that thrive in high temperatures and direct sunlight. Contrary to popular opinion, the majority of succulents do not flourish well in direct sunlight and excessively high temperatures.

This is because the majority of succulents are found in semi-desert habitats, which are comparable to true deserts but are richer in precipitation. Additionally, the majority of succulents thrive in low-lying places that are shadowed by other taller plants in their native environments. They also grow in nature in fissures that provide shade from the sun or on hilltops that are shaded by boulders or rocks.

Succulents, in general, require at least four to six hours of sunlight every day to thrive. They thrive in bright, sunny environments. Succulents that do not receive enough sunshine will undergo etiolation or elongation in which the plants stretch in search of additional light. 

This mechanism results in brittle stems and stunted growth. Without sufficient light, succulents lose their bright coloring and become pale or revert to a drab green color. When plants receive sufficient sunshine, they exhibit their inherent beauty by displaying their complete spectrum of bright hues.

Sun damage is more likely to occur in species that love shade, as well as extremely small plants and newly produced plants. Direct sunlight benefits plants that are blue, gray, red, or thickly spined. 

Sun-hardy species that have been grown indoors are also prone to sunburn or sun damage when brought outdoors for the first time, so it is best to do it gradually to acclimate the plant to the more intense heat. 

Under direct sunlight, baby plants or newly propagated plants will perish. You must wait for them to mature into more mature plants before leaving them unprotected.

How Often Do You Water Succulents?

How Often Do You Water Succulents?

Succulents, like humans, require additional energy during periods of growth. During the warmer seasons, the plants thrive and consume significantly more water than they do during the fall and winter, when they rest. 

It’s easiest to use a finger to test the soil. When the top 1.25 inches of the soil are dry, you can proceed to adding water. Overwatering can be fatal to your succulent, so allow the soil to dry between waterings.

When watering succulents, wet the soil completely until the water drains through the drainage pores. If your container lacks drainage holes, reduce the amount of water used.

Avoid spraying your succulents with a spray bottle—misting might result in brittle roots and rotting leaves. Additionally, you can submerge pots in a pan of water and allow the excess water to drain through the drainage hole. Remove the soil from the pan once the top layer is damp.

Beautiful Succulent Arrangements

Old book succulent planter

Remember that succulents love well draining soil. Keep them in containers without drainage holes such as mason jars, tea cups, etc. and layer the bottom with pebbles or add some sand to the soil.

Old book succulent planter

And although everyone keeps telling you succulents don’t need much water, ignore them. While it’s true that they can survive longer periods of time without water, this doesn’t mean they love it. But make sure you don’t overwater your succulents either.

succulent arrangements.

As far as sunlight goes, succulents do best in bright but indirect light so keep them in a place where they can get a lot of shade but still receive enough sunlight.

So now you have all the basic info you need and you can start your own succulent garden. Until you’re experienced enough to have your own style, maybe these ideas can help.

Succulent centerpieces.

Succulent centerpieces arrangement and wood slice

Succulents are awesome for creating centerpieces for all sorts of beautiful occasions. For example, you can make something really charming for a wedding using slices of wood, bark and succulents.

arrangement of tiny succulent plants

Rows of alternating succulents and votives form a simple but really beautiful centerpiece design which can also be customized with table numbers.

Old book succulent planter

Make a mini succulent garden in a transparent glass bowl. The cactus flowers are really cute and vibrant and make the whole arrangement a lot more eye-catching.

Old book succulent planter

Make a planter box for the succulents out of wood. Fill it with pebbles and soil and create a fresh garden. Place it at the center of the table for everyone to enjoy.{found on sugarandcharm}.

Old book succulent planter

With a little bit of talent and inspiration, you can turn your succulent centerpieces into works of art. Combine, mix and match colors, textures and materials to get the desired effect.

Succulent Arrangements decor

Use drftwood and succulents to make centerpieces with table numbers. You can also add a few other accessories and accent details like shells for example, if it’s a beach wedding.

Coffee table arrangements.

Old book succulent planter

For small succulents, you can use shells instead of planters. Put a little bit of soil or pebbles inside and then add the tiny succulent plant. It would look perfect in a beach house.

Tray with Succulent Arrangements

Make a small succulent tray for the coffee table. Combine two or three species of succulents just to get a diversified look and use pebbles and small rocks for décor.

Old book succulent planter

We’ve already mentioned that you can use tea cups as planters for succulents and this is how they’d look like. Really lovely, isn’t it? I’d love a little bit of green on my coffee table.{found on agoldenafternoon}.

Old book succulent planter

If you want something a little more complex, feel free to make a miniature garden and to combine as many species, colors and shapes as you want.

Succulent wall art.

Old book succulent planter

Succulents are really versatile and so cute you can use them for a lot of different projects. For example, you can even turn them into wall art. Make a framed vertical garden and display it on the wall.{found on instructables}.

Fridge magnets.

Old book succulent planter

I love this idea. You can make tiny cork planters for tiny succulents and attach magnets to them so you can stick them onto the fridge. You absolutely must try this.{found on snapguide}.

Hanging planters.

Old book succulent planter

To make a hanging succulent planter like this one you need moss, potting soil, clay mud and twine or ribbon. Mix soil with clay and dry moss and wrap this around the exposed roots. Wrap around the green moss and then wrap the twine around the moss ball several times.{found on brit}.

Outdoor vertical gardens.

Old book succulent planter

Sure, succulents are really cute when they’re tiny and put in small containers but you can also use many of these tiny things to create large arrangements, like vertical gardens for your outdoor areas.{found on bluegreenlandscape}.

Old book succulent planter

Hang the vertical gardens’ planters on the fence or exterior walls of the house and they’ll give your outdoor areas an extra lovely and charming look.{found on ecomindedsolutions}.

Backyard landscaping.

Old book succulent planter

And let’s not forget about the old-fashioned horizontal gardens. Use succulents to create interesting and eye-catching landscape designs for your backyard.

Unusual planters.

Old book succulent planter

You can also add visual interest to your succulents with a really unusual planter. You can try repurposing a birdcage for example and hang it in a tree outside.

Old book succulent planter

You can also put tiny succulents in a small toy truck. A lovely idea if you have kids and they’re outgrown their toys or they got bored with them.

Old book succulent planter

Or how about a small treasure chest full of fresh and beautiful succulents. That would look awesome in a terrarium or on a table or mantel.

Old book succulent planter

Make a unique planter for your succulents out of old books. Carve a hole in the book, ad a little bit of soil and patch it with succulents and moss.