Succulent planters are a fantastic way to add low-maintenance greenery to your outdoor space. Today, we are exploring decorating your porch with easy succulent planters and other good things. It’s Sunday faves time with Annie and Cindy.
I have been enjoying succulent gardens for years and one thing is certain: succulents do not like too much water. So in Florida and other moist areas it’s best to have your plants out of the rain like we do on our covered porch. In dry climates, like California, succulent plants thrive in the open sun.
Here are some tips to help you get started:
1. Choose the Right Containers
Opt for containers that have drainage holes to prevent water from accumulating, which can cause root rot. You can repurpose old pots, use decorative ceramic planters, or get creative with wooden crates or baskets. Just ensure they provide adequate drainage and drill holes when necessary.
I like the washed terracotta pots from Home Depot. It’s nice to come home after a week in California and see the potted plants doing ok. We have drip lines to a few plants in pots in the backyard but not in the front…so drought-tolerant plants make sense here (especially if you travel).
2. Select a Variety of Succulents For Your Doorstep
One of the joys of succulent gardening is the vast array of shapes, different colors, and textures available. Mix and match different types of succulents to create visual interest. Consider combining tall and trailing succulents with rosette succulents for a balanced arrangement.
Home Depot, Trader Joe’s, Ace Hardware and other garden centers often have succulent arrangements already put together for you.
3. Use Well-Draining Soil
Succulents thrive in well-draining soil that allows excess water to escape quickly. Use a specialized succulent mix or cactus potting mix. This helps mimic the natural sandy, rocky soils that succulents prefer. Put rocks in the bottom of your pots.
The large pot above is filled with Dorotheanthus (which was in a hanging basket at Home Depot). The smaller pot with a variety of succulents was already assembled at Home Depot.
4. Position Succulent Pots for Sunlight
Choose a spot on your porch that receives at least 6 hours of sunlight per day. Rotate your planters occasionally to ensure even growth.
5. Succulent Care: Water Sparingly
One of the biggest advantages of succulents is their drought tolerance. With as much as we travel, we can’t always water the plants on our porch so these are perfect.
Water your succulents only when the soil is completely dry, typically every 1-2 weeks depending on the climate. Overwatering is the most common mistake, so err on the side of under-watering to prevent root rot.
6. Add Decorative Accents
Enhance the beauty of your succulent planters with decorative accents. Consider adding small rocks, shells, or driftwood around your plants.
I added pebbles and shells to the containers and I also toss shells that I pick up on the beach onto our gravel pathways.
7. Maintain and Prune
Remove dead or wilted leaves. Repot your succulents every 1-2 years to refresh the soil and promote healthy root growth. You can also propagate succulent branches into new plants in smaller pots.
8. Protect from Extreme Weather
While succulents are hardy plants, they may need protection during extreme weather conditions. Bring succulents indoors during frost.
9. Enjoy Your Porch With Easy Succulent Planters
Once your succulent planters are in place, take time to relax and enjoy your green oasis on the porch. Howard reads the news out here every morning and I like to join him here for a glass of French rosé in the evening.
You may also like BHG Outdoor Succulent And Cacti Planters and Practical Porch and Pool In A Small Backyard.
Shop The Front Porch
Some Mother’s Day Gift Ideas (For Next Week!)
A handwritten note is best and here are some other ideas…
succulent centerpiece (3 day shipping included) • small leather wallet (hint for me…on sale) • Fresh Body Polish (a treat) • Quince Italian Leather satchel classic!• light weight cashmere throw one of my favorites to give
Mel Robbins Podcast For Healthy Aging: Advice From the #1 Longevity Doctor
I thought this was interesting. Let me know what you think.
What To Read: The Library by Bella Osborne
This is a story about a local small library and the friendship that develops between a troubled teen boy and a 72 year old female farmer. It’s humorous and touching…and makes me want to spend more time in our library (not just when our granddaughter visits). I read it on the public library’s Libby/Kindle app for free.
If you would like to receive this series every week, please sign up HERE.
Let’s see what my friends have discovered this week:
Most Lovely Things
Cindy Hattersley Design
Mary Ann! I love those planters! I’ve seen a few people mention them! They must be new at Home Depot! Succulents look beautiful in them! Your porch looks so pretty!
Thank you for pushing me toward succulents. I’ve always had a tendency to kill them with “kindness.” I’m going to try again and keep them away from the plants that need more water (daily in the summer—we’re in Texas). Looking forward to checking out the video!
They will love your weather, Diana!
My first (too lengthy) comment was gobbled by my iphone, so I will merely say thanks very much for the inspo on succulents this week!
Don’t you hate that when that happens?
Thanks for all the info about succulents! We are away at our beach house over the summer for extended periods and it is sad to come back home and have nothing on the patio! We have even resorted to fake ferns ( realistic) in our big front porch pots so the area looks moderately cared for.
I was just gifted a Kobo Clara colour e reader as an early Mother’s Day gift. What a game changer it is! So much lighter than lugging the iPad around ( no smashed face if I fall asleep reading on the iPad:) 0 temptation to go and check out emails or social media, fits so easily into a purse and supports Libby/Overdrive for library books but also book purchases too. Ereaders have gone up in price but it’s so easy to read with it, no glare and font/ lighting is adjustable…plus so many cute covers available now! Have a great week Mary Anne!
I haven’t heard of that reader but I want to look into it….sounds great!
I watched the video about aging, and since I am 78 years old, I was interested. I liked the idea to screen patients for risk and not subject them to wasteful tests, such as mammograms if they do not have a tendency. I also found the steps pretty simple. If you stick to consistent exercise, not a marathon – home cooked food with a minimum of processed food – and socialization with friends and family. Exercise turns out to be the most important element, and probably the hardest for me. I move much slower in my daily responsibilities , but I could definitely do walking 30 minutes a day five days a week and some bands for strength two or three times a week. Thank you for the video.
Seems to be broken down fairly simply, don’t you think? We should walk and socialize with friends and family and the same time!