Have you ever wanted to make your very own succulent box? No, we’re not talking about succulent subscription boxes (though that is an option you should consider!). We’re referring to those stylish arrangements of succulent collages that have made their way into popular horticulture. Succulent boxes have made it big with plant hobbyists everywhere, thanks to their vibrant designs and simplistic ways to add a bit of life to your home or garden.

 

While the term may sound limiting, a succulent box doesn’t necessarily limit you to a 4 x 4 square container filled with dirt! Surprisingly, succulent boxes are a blanket term that can encompass all kinds of creative arrangements involving your leafy collection.

 

 

What Are Succulent Boxes?

Succulent boxes are a creative way to organize and display your cute collection of succulents in a single container like a little leafy family! When you’re a hearty plant collector like we are at Planted Pot, you might find that having a designated arrangement for your succulents is more convenient and makes your living space or yard look fantastic.

 

 

 

 

There are many kinds of boxes to help you create the perfect arrangement to show off your favorite succulents for big and small spaces.

 

Wooden Planters

This is an ideal and classic arrangement for first-timers, especially if you’re unfamiliar with more complicated box setups. Any succulent box requires knowledge of companion planting and proper spacing techniques, or else you may risk your succulents competing for water or nutrients (which we’ll get into later). Wooden planters are perfect for companion succulents and, when arranged perfectly, can make quite an eye-catching garden piece!

 

Terrariums

Terrariums are containers that have been adapted for living plants and are usually made of glass for a full view of the small environment inside. You’ve most likely heard of terrariums on other plant sites because they are popular for displaying smaller greenery like succulents and Air Plants.

 

Terrariums are ideal for succulents since they grow relatively slowly, but they can lead to humidity issues if not cared for properly. Condensation build-up on the glass can raise moisture levels quickly, which is not ideal for most succulents because they thrive on neglect and little water. However, this effect may be beneficial for other succulent types! Knowledge of the kind of climate your succulents need and access to the right soil mediums can make all the difference in a terrarium.

 

Succulent Walls

Succulent walls are walls covered in succulents, as the name implies! Mesh or chicken wire is placed across a frame filled with soil, and the plants are placed through the wire cover and exposed. When the roots take hold, the wall is then placed upright, and the plants grow sideways along the wall! These arrangements are typically for outdoor use as waterings can become messy indoors, and the succulents will likely not get the proper sunlight they need.

 

Tall Pots

You may choose to plant your succulents in a more traditional container like a large pot! Clay or plastic pots can make great containers for your succulents while adding a little personality to your garden or home. They also offer a way to properly drain your soil and provide a roomy home for your plant’s roots.

 

Stylish Arrangements

More creative arrangements and displays can be accomplished using a little DIY and imagination. There are hundreds of inspirations for chic, repurposed, or vintage-style planters online that can spark your crafty side. Find a unique home for your succulents in any container that you can upcycle into a cool, new planter! Old wheelbarrows, empty drawers, ceramic pitchers, claw-foot bathtubs, vases, trunks, hollow tree logs…you name it! As long as it can safely hold and nurture your succulents, the sky’s the limit.

 

 

 

 

Planting Succulent Inside Boxes

With so many possibilities for your succulents box, you’re bound to find one that works for you! You can also use boxes to hold your already-potted succulents as well! Simply placing multiple succulents in separate containers together in one roomy box can be an easy way to arrange your collection without any new planting.

 

Once you have an idea of what kind of box you’d like to do, it’s time to start planning where your succulents will go. But how do you do this?

 

First, start with a bit of planning. Take inventory of the kinds of succulents you have (or would want to have) and see where they would go best, or make sure they are compatible together if you are replanting in one box. We mentioned companion plants before, which is a vital part of the health of your succulents.

 

Companion plants can live in harmony near other plants in the same container without compromising each other’s health. These kinds of plants usually thrive together and work together to enhance each other’s well-being. Companion plants sometimes provide mutual benefits such as pest control, pollination, attracting beneficial insects, and increasing flowering productivity. Your succulents don’t necessarily have to do this, but they need to have the same watering and climate needs and shouldn’t compete for nutrients in their container.

 

Once you have determined what plants will go in your box, the next step is arranging them! Combining different sized and colored succulents makes for a diverse box with appealing visuals. Placing your succulents strategically can make them pop!

 

Why Use A Box?

Boxes are everywhere! They’re the most common planter containers for plants, and making one is very easy. With a few pieces of wood and some nails, you can create any size box for your succulents in an afternoon. Boxes serve as an aesthetic piece for your plants and keep soil from shifting, help you control their environment, offer drainage holes, offer room for them to grow their roots, and help transportation if you decide to redecorate! Here are a few ways to use your succulent box around your space:

Hang from Ceiling

Don’t have floor space? Hang your succulent plants from the ceiling! You can suspend succulent arrangements using a few handy eye-hooks and strong rope. Just make sure the weight of the dirt isn’t too much for the hooks to handle!

 

This decor is commonly done with a rounded container and a macramé net, but if that’s not your style, ceiling planters, hanging vases and pots, or other suspended planters might be more your cup of tea.

Wall Decor

Another common display for a house plant box is to use them as wall decor via a wall planter. This is a different wall display than a succulent wall because the box is hung upright like a fixture versus being hung sideways and acting as the wall itself. You can accomplish this by securing your box to the wall using picture hooks.

 

As an alternative, you can also place your box on your shelf for a fresh addition to your room’s decor without the fuss of tools – a simpler kind of wall decor!

Place on Balcony

An easy place to display your succulent box is out on a sunny balcony to add a touch of green to your second floor. Rest it next to your door’s entryway, on the railing, or an outdoor display cabinet!

Use as Centerpiece

Want to spruce up the dinner table? For smaller arrangements, succulent boxes placed at the center of your dining table make a lovely living centerpiece.

Near a Window

For your succulents to get sufficient sunlight, it’s best to place them by a window. Because most succulents prefer bright, indirect light, a window facing the south or east, so that they receive enough light without getting burned. Window-side succulent boxes invite color and warmth into the home while thriving naturally indoors.

 

 

 

 

Popular Succulents to Grow in Boxes

While there are many combinations of plants you can use in your succulent box, we’ve found that these are the best because of their low-maintenance care needs and lush, diverse appearances.

 

Jade Plant

Jade plants are incredibly forgiving and flexible, making them perfect for inexperienced gardeners (not to mention they’re pretty, too!) There are many kinds of Jade plants, such as the Ripple Jade, with its wavy, crimped leaves, or the small and simple Succulent Jade. As a symbol of good luck, Jade Plants are not only a must for your succulents box but also a conduit of fortune!

Agave

The agave plant is a fun addition to any box collection with its spikey leaves, unique shades, and rosette shape. Most species of agave do well even in harsh sun and dry climates as they are indigenous to the deserts of South America.

Jelly Bean Plant

Given this name because of their tiny, bulb-shaped leaves, the Jelly Bean Plant is a cute accent plant sure to stand out amongst the crowd. Their round, colorful tips are as enticing as the jelly beans they resemble (though you shouldn’t indulge like candy – they’re toxic!) and grow outward, filling out space in your box quickly.

String of Dolphins

No box is complete without a trailing succulent! The String of Dolphins is a whimsical succulent to hang over the edge of your box to break up the uniformity. This is a rare succulent that people have not often heard of. Luckily, we have this succulent available on our site to help give you a prize plant to brag about the next time you have guests over!

 

 

Final Thoughts – Succulent box

You aren’t limited to just using succulents in your box! Try a diverse mix of plants, including friendly herbs like Rosemary (which is also a great natural mosquito repellent), delicate flowering plants like Baby’s Breath, cacti, and even bonsai trees if you want to go big!

 

Choosing the right planter for your succulent box isn’t just a case of functionality. As long as you can adapt it to fit your needs and the needs of your succulents, you can make it work! The important part of gardening is to bond with your plants and enjoy the time you spend with nature. A succulent box is a way to add a creative project to that time.