Thanks to their amazing ability to store water in their roots, stems, and leaves, succulents are incredibly low-maintenance and tough. These beautiful exotic plants are super easy to grow indoors and look stunning when styled the right way. If you’re looking for a chic DIY project, why not try planting a succulent in a stylish glass bowl or terrarium?
Planting Succulents in Glass: Getting Ready
The great thing is that almost any glass container works for showing off your succulents. It really comes down to your personal style—whether you want a hanging glass globe, a sleek half-moon bowl, or a classic geometric terrarium.
Before you get started, gather your supplies: some expanded clay pebbles (LECA), succulent or cactus potting mix, pebbles or quartz sand, and any other decorative bits you like. If you’re working with a prickly variety or something with sharp leaves, a good pair of thorn-proof gardening gloves will be your best friend!
How to Plant Your Succulent in Glass: A Step-by-Step Guide
Follow these simple steps to get your glass garden started:
- Start by adding about a half-inch to an inch of expanded clay pebbles to the bottom of your glass container for drainage.
- Add your succulent or cactus soil on top, and give it a light misting with soft water.
- Use a small spoon or a planting tool to dig a little hole for your plant.
- Carefully take your succulent out of its nursery pot and plant it into the hole.
- Use your spoon to gently press the soil down around the base of the plant.
- To finish it off, add a layer of pebbles or quartz sand to create a cute, natural-looking desert habitat.
- Add any extra decorative touches to make it your own!
Pro tip: That top layer of sand or pebbles isn’t just for looks! It keeps the bottom leaves of the succulent from sitting directly on damp soil, which prevents rot. Even with this setup, remember to take it easy on the watering—succulents in glass don’t like to stay soggy.
Caring for Your Glass-Grown Succulents
These desert beauties are just as easy to care for in glass as they are in the garden or on a sunny windowsill. However, “low maintenance” doesn’t mean “no maintenance.” Here’s how to keep them happy:
- Wait about a week after planting before watering your succulent for the first time. Use filtered or rainwater if possible.
- From March through October, only water your plant when the soil feels completely dry to the touch.
- Give them a little boost with liquid succulent fertilizer every 3 to 4 weeks during the growing season (May to September).
Also, keep in mind that your succulent needs a winter nap. During the colder months, move it to a bright, cool spot (around 60°F). Since there’s very little evaporation during this time, you can cut back on watering significantly—sometimes they won’t need a drop all winter!
